Muhammadiyah and Islamic Moderation: Purification, Progress, and the Inherent Middle Path

Abstract

This article examines Muhammadiyah as a key model of Islamic moderation in Indonesia, arguing that its moderating character is an inherent feature of its theology, history, and organizational practice rather than a tactical political stance. Founded in 1912 by Ahmad Dahlan, Muhammadiyah responded to perceived Muslim stagnation through a dual commitment to purification and progress, expressed through education, healthcare, and social welfare. Its approach to purification emphasizes personal responsibility and ijtihad, enabling contextual adaptation and preventing rigid dogmatism. Simultaneously, its extensive social programs reflect a vision of Islam berkemajuan or progressive Islam that links faith with modern development. Politically, Muhammadiyah maintains institutional non-partisanship, reinforcing unity and positioning the movement as a stabilizing civil force. The article concludes that Muhammadiyah exemplifies a civil form of moderation, offering an important model for contemporary Muslim societies.