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The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam: The Qur'anic Principle of Wasatiyyah
Winner of the I.R. Iran World Award for Book of the Year
In The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam , leading Islamic law expert Mohammad Hashim Kamali examines the concept of wasatiyyah , or moderation, arguing that scholars, religious communities, and policy circles alike must have access to this governing principle that drives the silent majority of Muslims, rather than focusing on the extremist fringe. Kamali explores wasatiyyah in both historical/conceptual terms and in contemporary/practical terms. Tracing the definition and scope of the concept from the foundational sources of Islam, the Qu'ran and Hadith, he demonstrates that wasatiyyah has a long and well-developed history in Islamic law and applies the concept to contemporary issues of global policy, such as justice, women's rights, environmental and financial balance, and globalization.
Framing his work as an open dialogue against a now-decades long formulation of the arguably destructive Huntingtonian "clash of civilizations" thesis as well as the public rhetoric of fear of Muslim extremism since the attacks of September 11, 2001, Kamali connects historical conceptions of wasatiyyah to the themes of state and international law, governance, and cultural maladies in the Muslim world and beyond. Both a descriptive and prescriptive meditation on a key but often neglected principle of Islam, The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam provides insight into an idea that is in the strategic interest of the West both to show and practice for themselves and to recognize in Muslim countries.
In The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam , leading Islamic law expert Mohammad Hashim Kamali examines the concept of wasatiyyah , or moderation, arguing that scholars, religious communities, and policy circles alike must have access to this governing principle that drives the silent majority of Muslims, rather than focusing on the extremist fringe. Kamali explores wasatiyyah in both historical/conceptual terms and in contemporary/practical terms. Tracing the definition and scope of the concept from the foundational sources of Islam, the Qu'ran and Hadith, he demonstrates that wasatiyyah has a long and well-developed history in Islamic law and applies the concept to contemporary issues of global policy, such as justice, women's rights, environmental and financial balance, and globalization.
Framing his work as an open dialogue against a now-decades long formulation of the arguably destructive Huntingtonian "clash of civilizations" thesis as well as the public rhetoric of fear of Muslim extremism since the attacks of September 11, 2001, Kamali connects historical conceptions of wasatiyyah to the themes of state and international law, governance, and cultural maladies in the Muslim world and beyond. Both a descriptive and prescriptive meditation on a key but often neglected principle of Islam, The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam provides insight into an idea that is in the strategic interest of the West both to show and practice for themselves and to recognize in Muslim countries.
- GenresIslam
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
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About the author
Mohammad Hashim Kamali
60 books53 followersMohammad Hashim Kamali, B. A., Law & Political Science, Kabul University, 1965
LLM., Comparative Law, University of London, 1972, Ph.D., University of London. 1976
Current Position: Founding Chairman & Cheif Excecutive Officer, International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia.
Date and Place of Birth: 7 February 1944, Lalpur, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Nationality: Afghan and Canadian, Permanent Resident of Malaysia as of 3 April 2003
Marital Status: Married - have two children born in 1976 and 1979 respectively
LLM., Comparative Law, University of London, 1972, Ph.D., University of London. 1976
Current Position: Founding Chairman & Cheif Excecutive Officer, International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia.
Date and Place of Birth: 7 February 1944, Lalpur, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Nationality: Afghan and Canadian, Permanent Resident of Malaysia as of 3 April 2003
Marital Status: Married - have two children born in 1976 and 1979 respectively
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June 12, 2021
This book is great in many ways. Hashim Kamali evaluates the concept and origins of moderation and related ideas in Islam. The second portion of the book is devoted to the practical applications of wasatiyyah in regards to climate change, economics, women's rights, jihad, political policy, globalization and aspects of a Muslim's life like music, praying, fasting, and eating. A very extensive look into moderation in Islam.
Displaying 1 of 1 review