Implementing and Interpreting Fazlur Rahman's Islamic Moderation Concept in the Indonesian Context

Abstract

Although, Indonesians are known as the most ‘tolerant’ nation   but the radical turn of events over the period of time has transformed their religious tolerance into extremism.  Therefore, several movements have started to alter Indonesia's Islamic model into a one more compatible with that of the Arab world. These are not social conflicts but could become reason of provoking different social conflicts. It has been claimed that these social conflicts occur because Indonesia has followed westernization, Christianization, secularism, liberalism and the unfair attitude of the West in the Middle East conflicts, especially between Palestine and Israel. The majority of Indonesians are Muslims therefore, democratization is studied thoroughly using a religious moderation theory in the context of Islamic religion and religious doctrine This study aims to discuss Fazlur Rahman's double movement hermeneutics as an Islamic moderation concept by using   Qur’anic references. This moderation concept could be applied to the Indonesian context. A bibliographical survey and an interpretive method have been employed to reveal a specific nature of religious moderation, which prohibits Muslims from taking an extreme stance about religious provisions. Moderation is not limited to religious attitudes but includes all aspects of life.  Therefore, this study implicates that if Fazlur Rehman’s Islamic moderation concepts are practiced comprehensively in Indonesia then social harmony would prevail as a social phenomenon. Keywords: Islamic doctrine, Religious moderation, Tafsir, Verse of the Qur’ān