al-Wasatiyya fi Daw al-Quran al-Karim
- Author died
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- Editions
- The book is published on the website of the Saudi Ministry of Awqaf without publication details
al-Wasatiyya fi Daw al-Quran al-Karim (Moderation in the Light of the Noble Quran) is a treatise by Nasir al-Umar examining the Islamic concept of moderation (wasatiyya), its textual basis in the Quran, and its theological and practical boundaries. It was published by Dar al-Watan in Riyadh in 1413 AH (1992–1993 CE) .
Purpose and Scope
The author wrote the book to address contemporary confusion surrounding the concept of moderation, identifying three problematic tendencies: those who equate moderation with religious concession and compromise, thereby labeling adherents of prophetic teachings as extremists; those driven by zeal who view legitimate moderation as negligence and appeasement; and those who lack a comprehensive grasp of moderation by confining it to isolated practices . The work seeks to establish objective criteria for distinguishing authentic Islamic moderation from both religious excess (ifrat) and laxity (tafrit) .
Structure and Content
The book is arranged around three methodological pillars, followed by practical conclusions :
- Definition of Moderation: Explores the linguistic roots of wasat, reviewing classical definitions that link it to justice, excellence, and intermediacy . It analyzes the five Quranic occurrences of the root w-s-t across four suras—wasatan and al-wusta in Surat al-Baqarah, awsat in Surat al-Ma'idah, awsatuhum in Surat al-Qalam, and fawasatna in Surat al-Adiyat—drawing upon classical commentaries, and examines twelve prophetic hadiths on the subject . The author concludes that the term wasatiyya properly applies only when characterized by virtue (al-khayriyya) and justice .
- Foundations of Understanding: Addresses the theoretical framework of moderation by contrasting the Straight Path (al-sirat al-mustaqim) with the opposing deviations of theological and behavioral excess (al-ghuluw wa-l-ifrat) and alienation or neglect (al-jafa' wa-l-tafrit) .
- Defining Marks and Features: Details five distinguishing hallmarks of moderation derived from Quranic induction: virtue (al-khayriyya), uprightness (al-istiqama), ease and the removal of hardship (al-yusr wa-raf' al-haraj), intermediacy (al-bayniyya), and justice accompanied by wisdom (al-'adl wa-l-hikma) . It concludes with an applied practical guide synthesizing these characteristics .
The work emphasizes that moderation is not confined to a single branch of the religion, but constitutes a comprehensive Quranic system encompassing creed, ritual worship, legal ruling, jihad, and enjoining good and forbidding evil .
Conclusions and Recommendations
The book concludes with several practical steps to implement its framework: fostering scholarly research into overlooked dimensions of moderation, organizing educational lectures and seminars, providing living role models among scholars and preachers, cultivating comprehensive communal education, and purifying contemporary discourse from misinterpretations that compromise principles—such as weakening loyalty and disavowal (al-wala' wa-l-bara') or making unlawful concessions—under the pretext of moderation .
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