Wasatiyyah In Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Sabuni’s Exegesis Within The Concept Of Religious Practice

Abstract

This study examines the concept of wasatiyyah in Muhammad ‘Ali al-Ṣābūnī’s Ṣafwat al-Tafāsīr as an epistemic foundation for shaping moderate religious attitudes among contemporary Muslims. The findings reveal that al-Ṣābūnī interprets wasatiyyah as a principle of spiritual, social, and ethical balance that rejects both forms of extremism—excess (ghuluw) and negligence (tafrīt). His interpretation is constructed through a thematic approach to Qur’anic verses on justice, tolerance, wisdom, and the role of Muslims as an ummatan wasaṭan. The analysis further demonstrates that al-Ṣābūnī’s conception carries strong textual grounding and practical relevance for promoting harmonious social relations, reinforcing ethical religiosity, and fostering moderate responses to contemporary religious challenges, especially in the digital age. The study concludes that his framework of wasatiyyah offers a valuable paradigm for cultivating inclusive and adaptive religious character within today’s global religious landscape