Wasaṭiyya in Sufism of Maghreb

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomenon of wasatiyya (moderation and rejection of extremes) in the Sufi tradition of Maghreb. This concept is defined as avoidance of extreme ideas, primacy of justice ( adl ), straightforwardness ( istiqama ), absence of class demarcation and separation of élite. The author stressed the impotence of this concept from the beginning of the Sufi tradition in Maghreb. Wasatiyya exercised dominion there with the line of al-Junayd, doctrines of Abu Madyan and Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili. This concept also influenced on the colonial period. Majority of mystics have negated any resistance against colonial forces.