Fatwa ID: 07642
Answered by Maulana Sarfraz Mohammad
Question
What is the Wasati Fiqh? What is your view regarding it?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wasatiyyah, derived from the Arabic word “wasat,” meaning “middle” or “moderation,” promotes a balanced approach to Islamic teachings. This concept emphasises moderation in beliefs, practices, and behaviour, avoiding both extremes.
It often encourages following traditional Islamic scholarship, including the four main madhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali), and values continuity in understanding Islamic law through these well-established schools.
Allah describes the Muslim Ummah as a balanced nation:
“Thus We have made you a middle nation (Ummah Wasata) so that you may be witnesses over mankind, and the Messenger will be a witness over you.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:143)
This verse is often cited as the foundational text for Wasatiyyah (moderation). It signifies that Muslims are to be a community of balance, avoiding both extremism and laxity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
“Beware of extremism in religion, for it destroyed those who came before you.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3029).
This hadith warns against going to extremes in religion, which is a key component of Wasati Fiqh.
When some companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) decided to overburden themselves with excessive worship (praying all night, fasting without a break), the Prophet said:
“By Allah, I am the most fearing of Allah among you, yet I pray and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast, and I marry women. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 5063)
This shows the Prophet’s emphasis on a balanced, moderate approach to religious life.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Make things easy for people and do not make them difficult; give them glad tidings and do not make them turn away.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 69)
In summary, wasatiyyah promotes a moderate approach that respects taqlid and values the continuity of the four madhabs.
Only Allah تعالي Knows Best
Written by Maulana Sarfraz Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
﴿ وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّتِي كُنتَ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَانَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾
[ البقرة: 143]
يَسِّرُوا ولا تُعَسِّرُوا، وبَشِّرُوا، ولا تُنَفِّرُوا.
الراوي : أنس بن مالك | المحدث : البخاري | المصدر : صحيح البخاري
الصفحة أو الرقم: 69 [صحيح]
التخريج : أخرجه البخاري (69)، ومسلم (1734
