ISLAM BETWEEN MODERATION

AND EXTREMISM

By
Ahmad Bello Dogarawa, PhD
Department of Accounting, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
08026499981; abellodogarawa@gmail.com

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 Muqaddima [a]
Makaranta ce wuri na biyu da a ke samun tarbiyya
domin gina alummar Musulmai mai qarfi da kishin
zuci da sanin ya kamata.
Xalibai na daxewa a makaranta irin daxewar da ba su
yi a wani wuri in ban da gidajensu.
Kasancewar nan ne xalibai ke zuwa domin koyon ilmi
da sauraren karatu daga malamai daban daban, da
gogayya da `yanuwansu xalibai waxanda suka fito
daga wurare mabanbanta, makaranta tana da tasiri mai
yawa a kan aqidar xalibai da xabiunsu da
muamalarsu da tunaninsu da wayewarsu. Haka kuma,
makaranta na ba da
20/03/2016
gudummuwa mai yawan gaske2
Dr. A. B. Dogarawa - ABU, Zaria
 Muqaddima [b]
Haka kuma, makaranta na ba da gudummuwa mai
yawan gaske wajen kawo gyara a cikin alumma,
kasancewarsu wuraren da a ke tattalin xalibai don
zama maaura, shugabanni kuma wakilan alumma na
qwarai nan gaba.
Makarantun da ke bisa tsarin Musulunci na da matsayi
sananne a cikin alumma.
Matsayin makarantun na da alaqa ce da matsayin da
Musulunci ya ba ilmi, da masu ilmi, da masu karantar
da ilmi, da wuraren da a ke koyar da ilmi.

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 Muqaddima [c]
Ilmi haske ne wanda ke nuna wa mai shi banbancin
gaskiya da qarya [Saba, 34:6]; yana gadar da tsoron
Allah [Israa, 17:107-109]; shi ne mafificin jihadi
[Furqaan, 25:52]; alama ce ta masu imani [Munafiqun,
63:8]; ba ya yankewa saboda mutuwar mai shi [Saheeh
Muslim]; laana ba ta sauka a kan ilmi [Tirmidhi]; alama
ce ta alheri [Bukhari; Muslim]; kuma yana shigar da
mutane hanyar aljanna [Muslim].
Saboda falalar ilmi, Allah (TWT) Ya yi wa Annabi Yusuf
da Musa da Isa da Muhammad [tsira da aminci su
tabbata a gare su] gori a kan ilmin da Ya ba su [Yusuf,
12:22; Qasas, 28:14; Maaidah, 5:110; Nisaa, 4:113].
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 Muqaddima [d]
Da ilmi ne a ke tabbatar da tsantsar bauta ga Allah; a
san banbancin halas da haram, kuma a fahimci umurni
da hani na Allah (TWT) da ManzonSa (SAW) don yin
biyayya gare su.
Da ilmi ne a ke sanin kevance-kevancen Musulunci da
falalarsa, kuma da shi ne za a iya tunkarar qalubalen
da ke fuskantar alumma (munanan aqidodi; al-gazwul
fikriy, koma bayan Musulmi a fagen ilmi da tattalin
arziqi da gudanarwa, da sauransu).
Haka kuma, da ilmi ne za iya yin kyakkyawan wakilci ga
Musulmi a kowane vangare na rayuwa
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 Moderation is a Characteristic of Islam
Moderation and balance in belief, worship, conduct,
and legislation are characteristics of Islam and its
fundamental landmark.
Muslims are called upon to exercise moderation,
follow a just right way and avoid the extreme.
The Quran declares: Thus we made you an Ummah
justly-balanced

[Q2:143]...
The Prophet (SAW) said:
[Muslim]

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 Islam Rejects Extremism [1]
Muslims are also called to reject and oppose all kinds
of extremism in religion, thought and behaviour
whether in the form of:
1) ghuluw (excessiveness);
2) tanattu (transgression); or
3) tashdeed (strictness)
Extremism means being situated at the farthest
possible point from the centre.

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 The Quran on Extremism
O People of the Book! Do not exceed the limits of
your religion (4:71; 5:77).


So stand you (Muhammad) firm and straight as you
are commanded and those who turn in repentance
with you upright as you and your followers were
commanded; and do not transgress (Allahs limits)
(11:112)

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 Hadith on Extremism
Beware of extremism in religion. (People) before you
have perished as a result of extremism

[Ahmad]

[Muslim]



According to Imams An-Nawawi and Ibn Taimiyyah,
extremism and transgression referred to in these Hadiths
cover both ideology-based extremism ( ) and
action-based extremism () .
Thus, extremism is all its forms is not allowed in Islam.

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 Manifestation of Extremism
Unnecessarily being rigid
over issues of ijtihad
Bigotry and intolerance Being unmindful of
maqaasidush Shareeah
Hasty accusation of people
Commitment to excessiveness for bidah, laxity, kufr, and
deviation

Overburdening of others Partisanship and disdain for

opinion of others
Lack of consideration in
daawah based on
Harshness and crudeness circumstance and the level of
understanding of people
Quick in passing judgement Not applying awlawiyyaat in
daawah

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 Methodology of Extremists

Solution looking Disregard for

Judgement based necessities (Darurah)
for problem on Lawaazim & Usuul principles

1) Studying under current educational system is prohibited

2) Participation in democracy is disbelief
3) Working under an un-Islamic government is disbelief

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 Approach of Extremists

High bloodshed
Violence

Level of Takfir
extremism
Harshness

Isolation
Bigotry & intolerance
Low
Low High
Level of deviation from right path

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 Causes of Religious Extremism

Ignorance of the religion

and/or its sciences Narrow-mindedness or
uncontrolled emotion

Ignoring history Bad Deviation from the

governance teachings of Islam

External causes: Joblessness, idleness

aggression, foreign policy, and/or frustration
phobia for Islam, etc.

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 Defects of Extremism [1]
1) Disagreeable for ordinary human nature to endure
or tolerate:
o O Muaadh! Are you putting the people on trial?
o Whoever amongst you leads people in Salah, should
keep it short, because amongst them are the weak, the
old, and the one who has business to attend to
o Facilitate [matters to people] and do not make [things]
difficult

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 Defects of Extremism [2]
2) Short-lived
o Do those deeds, which you can endure, as Allah will not
get tired till you get bored and tired
o Religion is very easy, and whoever overburdens himself
will not be able to continue in that way.

3) Jeopardises other rights and obligations

o Hadith of Ibn Umar on voluntary fasting
o Salmaans visit to Abud-Dardaas house

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 Defects of Extremism [3]
4) Misrepresentation of Islam

5) Avoidable hatred from especially people of other

faiths

6) Discouraging weak Muslims from improving

7) If not checked and tackled, it can lead to violence,

and breach of peace and security in the society.

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 Tackling Extremism
Dealing with this type of extremism requires
understanding of the ideologies and countering it with
superior arguments.
Scholars are well positioned to clarify issues, remove
doubt or clear misconception regarding extreme
ideologies through the channels available to them.
According to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Scholars are
the lights and lamps that direct and guide the people
to the way of happiness and means of salvation; lead to
what pleases Allah, and keep people far from that
which evokes His anger and punishment.

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 Role of Scholars in Tackling Extremism [1]
As good example in knowledge and good deeds, leaders
in piety and humbleness, models in patience and
perseverance, and pacesetters in generosity and
sacrifice, scholars have the following roles to play:
1) sensitise the public on importance of moderation and
balance in Islam;
2) caution people about extremism in belief, worship and
conduct; and
3) engage extremists in meaningful dialogue

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Role of Scholars in Tackling Extremism [2]
The import of dialogue is predicated upon the fact
that people differ in their opinions, intellectual
abilities and perception of matters, issues and
rulings, thus they need to exercise dialogue.
Positive dialogue based on knowledge and proof is
permissible in Islam.
Examples of positive dialogues in the Quran are
found in Q16:125; 11:32; 18:37; 29:46; and 58:1.

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Role of Scholars in Tackling Extremism [3]
In the hadiths, the Prophet (SAW) mentioned the
arguments of the believers with their Lord for their
brothers who have entered the Fire [Nasaa'i] and the
dialogue between Prophets Adam and Musa
[Bukhari].
The Prophet (SAW) also dialogued with the young
man who sought permission to indulge in fornication.
In addition, the great dialogues between Caliphs Ali
ibn Abi Taalib and Ibn Abbaas (RAH) on the one hand
and Kharijites on the other hand were documented in
a number of sources.
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 Role of Scholars in Tackling Extremism [4]
Scholars need to understand the ideologies of extremists, their narratives,
and their intellectual sources in order to play the following roles in tackling it:
What to do
3 Engage in meaningful dialogue
11. Emphasise
Metaphysical-spiritual context
Philosophical-theological context of
good and evil
Political-legal context of war,
rebellion, oppression, and political
Sensitise on tolerance, disorder.
4 Socio-cultural context of religious and
moderation & peaceful cultural diversity with communities of
co-existence other faiths and cultural traditions.
1 2 Emphasise
Moderation in belief, worship,
Cooperate with all conduct and legislation
stakeholders to Dangers of extremism
Dignity of human being
ensure peace and Sanctity of life, property, intellect, etc
security
3 Emphasise
2 Need for constant positive dialogue
Caution against Avenue for feedback
extremism and violence Preparation before engagement
Keeping to ethics of disagreement
4 Partner with government, NGOs, etc.

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 Some dos and donts in Dialoguing [1]
1) Sincerity towards Allah.
2) Understanding that mistake is part of human nature.
3) Understanding that the more serious a mistake is, the
more effort should be made to correct it.
4) Taking into account the position of the person to be
corrected.
5) Making a distinction between mistakes stemming
from honest effort to find out what is right, and
mistakes done deliberately or out of negligence.

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 Some dos and donts in Dialoguing [2]
6) Being fair and not being biased when correcting
those who make mistakes.
7) Being careful lest correcting one mistake leads to a
bigger mistake.
8) Making a distinction between what transgress the
limits of Islam and what affect other people.
9) Making a distinction between who has record of
many good deeds, and a perpetual sinner.
10) Allowing enough time for correction.

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 Thank you for listening

Questions?

Comments?

Observations?

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