MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANTUL – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Agung Danarto highlighted the three key meanings of Wasathiyah (moderation) according to Ibn Kathir: excellence, being chosen, and justice.
“When discussing Wasathiyah Islam (Moderation of Islam), we cannot separate it from Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143,” stated Agung during the Preaching of Ramadan 1446 AH focusing on the discussion on ‘Developing Progressive Islamic Moderation: Theological, Ideological, and Practical Perspectives.’
Agung explained that Ibn Kathir’s interpretation of this verse does not primarily emphasize Wasathiyah. The modern understanding of Wasathiyah as moderation is a contemporary interpretation.
“The concept of an excellent and chosen society is clear. When Allah revealed the Quran through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the goal was to make the ummah the best community—not just in theory, but in real life. This was demonstrated by the Prophet and his companions,” said Agung elaborated in the preaching conducted at the Student Dormitory Ballroom of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) on Sunday, March 2.
Agung pointed out that Islam was introduced to a society marked by ignorance, illiteracy, and a lack of ethics. Over time, Islamic teachings transformed this society, turning Mecca into a center of civilization.
During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, Muslims carried out futuhat (liberations) in various regions.
“These were called liberations because people under Persian and Roman rule felt oppressed. When Islam arrived, it was embraced as a force of freedom. It introduced powerful ideas, such as equality—no distinction between Arabs and non-Arabs, no hierarchy between slaves and their masters, and no discrimination between men and women,” explained Agung.
Agung noted that these values resonated with many, leading them to support the futuhat and assist in removing former rulers, allowing Islam to take root in new regions.
