Concept of Religious Moderation Perspective of Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra

Abstract

Religious moderation involves attitudes and actions that emphasize tolerance, inclusivity, and mutual understanding between followers of different religions. This concept encourages respect for religious plurality and diversity of beliefs as an integral part of an inclusive society.  Two important subjects that introduced Wasatiyah Islam in Indonesia were the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Azyumardi Azra. It is interesting to delve deeper into Azyumardi Azra's thoughts on the Islamic concept of wasathiyah. This research will focus on the concept of religious moderation or wasathiyah Islam, Azyumardi Azra's perspective and its relevance to Islam in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative approach to literature study. By using the content analysis method, researchers will examine Azyumardi Azra's thoughts through his works in the form of books, articles, and so on. The results of this study can be concluded that, Islam wasathiyah Azyumardi Azra perspective is a middle way that is moderate, inclusive and tolerant. The Islamic term wasathiyah is a Qur'anic term, which relies on the expression ummatan wasathan, i.e. the ummah in the middle, which is not extreme left or right or up or down. The characteristics of Indonesian Islam include tawashut (middle), tawazun (balanced), i'tidal (fair), tasamuh (tolerant), islah (reformist), ta'awun (please help / gotong royong), shura / musyawarah (consultation), muwathanah (love of the motherland), musawa (equal) and qudwah (example). Wasatid Islam does not believe in the caliphate because the caliphate cannot be achieved through the nation-state and the nation-state basically implements a modern democratic system. So wasathiyah Islam is more inclined to support the ideology of Pancasila and reject radicalism, extremism and terrorism.