The Validity of the Inference from the Verse: (And thus We Have Made You a Middle Nation) to Justify the Concept of Moderation

 This paper discusses the validity of the inference from the verse: (And thus we have made you a middle nation) (2: 143) to justify the concept of moderation. It discusses the validity of such understanding and the legitimacy of the concept. The researcher utilized both the inductive and the deductive method; in order to show the extent of the validity of the inference from the verse on the concept of moderation; and the extent of the validity of the inference. I adopted the method of collecting the different opinions of the commentators of Quran, both old and contemporary, and then stating the most likely correct opinion. The paper reached the following important results: the weakness of the evidence used by some to deduce from the verse the legitimacy of the moderation and the moderate approach; and that the realization of justice and goodness is what is meant by this verse. The paper demonstrates that what supports this is the linguistic usage of the word, as well as the explanation of the verse by the Messenger, peace be upon him, as well as the interpretation of the companions and many commentators. The paper utilized a principle in the exegesis of Quran is that the exegesis should be confined to the meaning contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah and what was transmitted from the Companions and mentioned by the commentators, and not go beyond that; so that Islam is not harmed by manipulating the Qur’anic terminology by interpreting the text in a way other than it is intended to give. Gathering large number of quotes to give validity to an opinion is not the right approach.