Moderation in Worship and Its Applications in Al-Mawardi Al-Shafi’i Thought: An Analytical Study

Abstract

One of the characteristics of the Islamic religion is moderation. An obvious benefit of Islamic law. People have become somewhat confused about this truth in several different ways. They are situated between extreme and negligence, as well as between radical and careless. Certain laws and rituals of worship may not make sense to many individuals when it comes to moderation. To extract moderation and its genuine position from this religion, this research aims to elucidate the notion of moderation and expose its applications in worship through the writings and thoughts of Imam Al-Mawardi Al-Shafi'i. This study relies on extrapolating from Al-Mawardi's works, where he defined and outlined the many forms of moderation. The most significant finding of this study is that Islam is moderate in every aspect. In terms of worship, moderation is fulfilling one's obligations to worship without sacrificing anything and refraining from superfluous acts that one cannot stand. Applying the following strategies will help attain this balance, as demonstrated by Al-Mawardi: a) combining simultaneously the needs of the body and the spirit, prioritizing the required in worship before moving on to the optional, taking into account the progressive fulfillment of each from less to more; considering the legal exemptions and what is acceptable to maintain the establishment and propagation of the faith; considering the religious practices that are closest to the heart, in addition to avoiding radicalism in worship by selecting the simplest option in accordance with Sharia.