THE DISCOURSE OF WASATIYYAH IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC THOUGHT AND ITS ROLE IN COUNTERING INTELLECTUAL EXTREMISM

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This study examines the discourse of moderation in contemporary Islamic thought and its role in countering intellectual extremism as one of the most significant intellectual approaches to addressing the phenomenon of extremism, which has become a serious threat to intellectual security and social stability in the contemporary Muslim world. The study is conducted against the backdrop of the growing spread of extremist narratives and their exploitation of social media platforms to recruit and influence young people, highlighting the need to return to the authentic principles of Islamic moderation and renew its discourse in a manner that responds to contemporary challenges. The study aims to establish the theoretical foundations of the concept of moderation in Islamic thought, explore its manifestations in the works of leading contemporary Muslim scholars, identify the characteristics, causes, and mechanisms of intellectual extremism, and propose practical strategies for activating a moderate Islamic discourse capable of addressing extremism at the institutional, educational, media, and digital levels. The central research question is: How can the discourse of moderation in contemporary Islamic thought serve as an effective intellectual and methodological framework for combating intellectual extremism? This question is supported by several sub-questions: What is the concept of moderation, and how has it evolved in contemporary Islamic thought? What are the main manifestations and causes of intellectual extremism? What roles do religious, educational, and media institutions play in promoting the discourse of moderation? The study adopts a comparative critical analytical approach to examine the concept of moderation as presented by prominent contemporary Islamic thinkers and to analyze the discourse and mechanisms of intellectual extremism. The findings indicate that moderation constitutes a fundamental characteristic of Islam, reflected in balance and equilibrium between immutable principles and changing circumstances. The study also concludes that intellectual extremism is the result of accumulated intellectual, social, and psychological factors, exacerbated by the absence of a sound and balanced Islamic discourse. Furthermore, strengthening the discourse of moderation requires effective cooperation among official institutions, civil society organizations, and the strategic use of modern digital technologies to develop an engaging discourse that resonates with young people. The study concludes with several recommendations, including the adoption of systematic educational and religious programs that promote the values of moderation, the training of preachers and digital influencers in effective online communication skills, and the establishment of intellectual observatories dedicated to monitoring extremist discourse and responding to it through a balanced, evidence-based scholarly approach