MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, LONDON — Secretary General of Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti delved into the concept of ummatan wasathan (a moderate community) as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 143.
First, wasatha signifies goodness. Referring to Surah Ali ‘Imran verse 110, Mu’ti highlighted that a moderate community is the best community. “Muslims should be role models for humanity,” said Mu’ti in the Baitul Arqam 2024 of the Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Special Branch of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland conducted on Saturday (August 8).
Second, wasatha implies balance. It encourages Muslims to strike a balance between pursuing the afterlife and engaging in worldly endeavors. “Islam promotes active participation in the betterment of the world,” siad M’ti.
Third, wasatha denotes justice, both in knowledge and law. In the context of law, justice means upholding truth without bias. In terms of knowledge, Islam encourages its followers to seek knowledge as it is a powerful tool of the development of civilization.
Fourth, wasatha means avoiding extremes. Muslims should neither be overly rigid nor overly lax in their religious practices. “The extent to which one can practice their religion depends on their individual capacity, and Islam provides flexibility in certain circumstances,” said Mu’ti.
Last, wasatha signifies being a good citizen. Mu’ti emphasized the importance of Muslims actively contributing to their societies and setting a positive example for fellow citizens.
The Baitul Arqom 2024 aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of Islamic values and the role of Muslims in society, while strengthening the bonds among members of Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Special Branch of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.
