Part 1
Khyber Jalal
Islam, the final divine revelation, is a religion firmly grounded in moderation, balance, and the middle path. Its doctrinal foundations, moral framework, and social order are meticulously structured to protect both the individual and society from the destructive extremes of excess and neglect. The Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah, Islamic ethics, and the juristic tradition all converge on a single, consistent principle: human life must be lived within just limits, free from excess on one end and deficiency on the other.
The Meaning of Moderation
Moderation signifies adherence to the middle course in all affairs. It is the most sound and effective way for a believer to fulfill the obligations he owes to his Lord, to his own self, and to the people around him. For this very reason, Islam has upheld moderation as a defining characteristic since its earliest days. The Muslim community has been explicitly described as a “justly balanced community.”
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
﴿وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا﴾
“And thus We have made you a middle community.” (Al-Baqarah: 143)
This verse defines the Muslim Ummah as a community established upon balance, justice, and moral equilibrium. The term “middle” (wasat) here does not merely denote a position between two extremes; it conveys excellence, fairness, and deliberate distance from both excess and deficiency.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) consistently emphasized moderation in every sphere of life. He said:
“Adopt moderation, adopt moderation, and you will reach your goal.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Ahmad)
Lasting success lies not in extremism, but in measured, disciplined consistency. Excess exhausts the soul, while negligence destroys purpose. Moderation alone ensures endurance and sound achievement.
Moderation, balance, and the middle path are not secondary virtues in Islam; they are central moral qualities. Every Muslim is expected to embody them in worship, spending, consumption, social conduct, and all practical affairs of life.
The life of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stands as the clearest and most authoritative model of moderation. In worship, he was devoted without excess. In preaching, his sermons were purposeful, neither unnecessarily long nor superficially brief. In fasting, he alternated between days of fasting and days of rest. In his nightly routine, he divided his time between prayer and sleep.