Islamic Religious Thought (Volume II)

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on Islamic religious thought will explore the thoughts of Muslim thinkers whose writings fall in the realm of what is called the wasatiyya school of thought. These prolific thinkers, such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Khaled Abou El Fadl, have produced extensive works to define and argue for the Islamic wasatiyya, as well as to offer their response to and refutation of the salafiyya, one of the most influential schools of thought in the Muslim world today. The wasatiyya, or al-wasatiyya––a name given to those who promote moderation in Islam––is a school of Sunni Islam that condemns extremist thought and promotes a moderate and balanced interpretation of Islam. The salafiyya, or al-salafiyya––a name given to those who follow the ideas and practices of the pious ancestors, al-salaf al-salih––is also a school of Sunni Islam that condemns theological innovation and advocates strict adherence to the shari‘a (Islamic law) and to the social structures existing in the earliest days of Islam.

This Special Issue will explore how thinkers in the al-wasatiyya school of thought have responded to al-salafiyya’s interpretation of theological concepts that have influenced and shaped Islamic beliefs throughout Islamic history. Concepts such as al-wala’ wa al-bara’ (loyalty and disavowal), takfir (declaring a Muslim unbeliever), and iman (belief or faith) have long been debated in the circles of Muslim thinkers, theologians, Jurists, and scholars. These concepts occupy a central role in the salafi thought, justifying calls to cut or limit Muslim interactions with non-Muslims and to declare other Muslim unbelievers on the assumption that they are not following “correct” Islam. By contrast, the wasati approach promotes a moderate and pragmatic interpretation of the Qur’an, hadith, and shari‘a (Islamic law) that emphasizes the compatibility of Islam and modernity.

The salafis have emphasized a textualist approach to the Qur’an where they base their teachings and interpretation of Qur’anic concepts on the literal reading of the text. This method of reading does not take into consideration the historical context of the verse. The wasatis, on the other hand, consider the challenges of modern society and allow an interpretation of the Qur’an that suits the modern Muslim needs. In regard to the doctrine of al-wala’ and al-bara’, for instance, the salafis have highlighted the Qur’anic teachings that command Muslims to be faithful and loyal to their fellow Muslims and to disassociate themselves from unbelievers. Likewise, in regard to the issue of takfir, the salafis are quick to declare the unbelief of other Muslims if they do not adhere to their strict interpretation of Islam. The wasatis, in contrast, contend that these interpretations served Muslims in the past when Islam was in the formative stages, as the infidels exerted pressure on early Muslims to leave their faith and argue that Islam promotes interactions between communities, hold that Muslims should play an active role in the society where they end up as a minority, and believe that takfir is too dangerous to practice today.

This Special Issue will shed light on the wasatiyya school of thought, its response to the salafi interpretation of theological concepts and doctrines that have contributed to the rise of radicalism, extremism, intolerance, and even violence, and how wasatiyya thinkers have utilized Islamic theology to confront the salafi interpretation of Islam.

Prof. Dr. Hussam S. Timani
Guest Editor

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• wasatiyya
• salafiyya
• Salafism
• Qur’an
• Islamic theology
• shari‘a

• Islamic Religious Thought (Volume I) in Religions (2 articles)