Wasatiyyah Paradigm in Tafsir Al-Azhar by Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah (Hamka): A Study of Theory and Implementation for Religious Harmony

As a multi-religious and multicultural country, Indonesia has shown a peaceful face with its plurality in accordance with the motto of Bhineka Tunggal Ika. But on the other hand, it cannot be denied that there is a potential for conflict and even friction to violence in the reality of religious life. This potential arises due to the attitude of not being able to accept differences in interpretation, understanding so that they claim and blame each other. So a moderate attitude becomes important to implement in an effort to create religious harmony. Islamic moderation is the solution to extremism and radicalism (including terrorism) in the name of religion. Recently, the government has continued to narrate the Wasatiyyah attitude or religious moderation carried out by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. What is done is part of a continuous and consistent effort to create a more harmonious religious and inter-religious life by promoting the spirit of the middle way, balance, proportion and tolerance. Of course, the concept of Islamic moderation that is raised is inseparable from religious normative sources including interpretations of religious texts. This research will examine further and in depth the concept of Wasatiyyah from tafsir products to become one of the literatures of Indonesian Muslims from various circles. There are several reasons that encourage the author to choose this tafsir book, namely: First, Tafsir al-Azhar is a monumental work of Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah (The name is abbreviated as Hamka) that is written, compiled until completed in full 30 part of Holy Qur’an in the socio-political situation of the old order government. Even this work was partly written when Hamka was inpriisoned. Secondly, Hamka was a scholar, political activist and a great writer in Indonesia. His work is written in Indonesian or Malay, so it is widely accessed and researched. This research is a literature review with a qualitative descriptive method that explores the concept of Wasatiyyah, its values and characteristics in the Quran and its Tafsir. That the value of Wasatiyyah contained in the interpretation of the verses can certainly be a guide to be implemented in religious life so that a harmonious life can be created and minus the conflict between religious communities in Indonesia.