Hadith and the Challenges of Islamic Moderation

Abstract

. Hadith is one of the arguments for extreme attitudes and actions. This paper will analyze why it happens and what the solutions are. Through a contextual hermeneutic approach, this paper found several things. Regarding the use of hadith as one of the arguments for extreme attitudes and actions, this paper found two factors. First, the domination of the Hadith normativity which is positioned as the normativity of al-Qur’an. Whereas the Hadith normativity status is different from al-Qur’an, which in terms of wurūd is qaṭ’īy. Second, the domination of the use of the textual understanding method, especially after there were wide openings for the entry of transnational Islamic organizations. Regarding the solution, this paper offers three notions. First, reducing the dominance of Hadith normativity. This can be done by involving the social sciences and humanities approaches in understanding it. Second, promoting the use of contextual understanding methods, without denying the textual understanding method. Third, using the Sīrah Nabawiyyah as part of the normative sources of the Hadith Nabawi context.