Achieving Religious Harmony through Fiqh Wasatiyah

Suwarjin

 

Abstract: This article examines the role that fiqh was??iyah (moderate Islamic jurisprudence) can play in achieving religious harmony in a Muslim society. From the perspective of fiqh was??iyah, religious harmony can be achieved by instilling the values of ta’?ruf (mutual recognition), taw?su? (moderation), tas?muh (tolerance), i?’tidal (uprightness), and taw?zun (balance) in society. These values are in addition to the overarching principles of kindness promoted by Islam in the form of ukhuw?h Isl?mi?yah (Muslim brotherhood)1 and ukhuw?h ins?ni?yah (brotherhood of humanity). If implemented in the interactions of religious life, these five values of fiqh was??iyah coupled with the principles of kindness may bring religious harmony and, indeed, peace and tranquillity to the entire society. The instillation of these values and principles in the religious life may lead to indiscriminate establishment of places of worship and reduce the causes of the destruction of religious harmony, including differences in the doctrine of truth (or truth claims), cultural differences, and mutual suspicion between religious adherents.