Concept of Moderation in Islam

According to Prophet Muhammad PBUH, following his sunnah and leading a life of balance and moderation based on his sunnah along with obligatory acts of worship is more meritorious and praiseworthy than practicing worship alone. This is illustrated from the following hadith. At the time of the Prophet (saw) a group of men got together and one of them said “I will pray at night and never sleep”. Another said, “I will fast and never break my fast”. A third said, “ I will never marry women”. The Prophet (saw) came to them and said: “Are you the people who said such and such things ? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it, perform salat and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me”. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. This hadith shows that Prophet Muhammad SAW expects us to follow his Sunnah, and balance deen (faith)and duniya (world), rather than go to extremes in religion like the above example. In the Quran Allah says: “O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allah and His Messenger but fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing”. [Surah al-Hujurat 49:1]. This ayat advises the believers to not go ahead of the Prophet of Islam but to revere him because he was the means through which Allah chose to convey His last message and because, “he [the prophet] does not speak from his desires; verily, what he says is revelation from [God]”. [Surah-an-Najm 53:3]. Islam expects us to apply the same concept of moderation in our dealings with others. Allah SAW says in the Quran : “ So by mercy from Allah [O Muhammad] you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. [Quran 3:159]. In the above ayah, Allah has characterized us as the just community, which means that moderation should be seen in all of our acts. Islam expects us to adopt a pleasing and modest behavior with others. The holy Prophet (PBUH) acted as a role model in every aspect of life and was always at the top of good manners while dealing with others. Hazrat A’ishah narrated Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as having said : “Gentleness does not enter anything except that it beautifies it and harshness does not enter anything except that it disfigures it”. [Muslim]. The concept of moderation in Islam is the golden principle that binds one to adopt this sense of balance in every action whether it is religious, social, individual, or collective. It also shows that exaggeration in religion, which is trying to do more than what the Prophet (saw) did, is going beyond the limit set by Allah, just as being neglectful of religion is falling short of the limit set by Allah while staying within the limits set by Allah, as exemplified by His Prophet (pbuh) is the true religion. In conclusion, a balanced and moderate person in religion and worldly relationships is more praiseworthy and successful in the sight of Allah (SAW) and His messenger PBUH, than one who goes to extremes or one who is negligent. May Allah (SAW) give us the will to understand and apply this principle in life. Ameen. References 1. www.quranreading.com/blog/the-concept-of-moderation-in-islam/ 2. http://islamqa.info/en/answers/9466/what-is-moderation-in-religio 3. http://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/1/143 4. Bilal Philips explanation of first verse of Surah Al-Hujurat.