Part 4
By Khyber Jalal
In religion, excess and extremism mean that a person goes beyond the limits established by the Prophetic Seerah, the noble Companions, and the great scholars of the religion. Negligence or deficiency, on the other hand, occurs when the teachings and practices of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), the Companions, and the eminent scholars are abandoned or neglected.
In the previous sections, it was noted that moderation and balance are essential for every Muslim in all aspects of life and worship, as moderation is a trait that influences all of a person’s actions. For this reason, moderation takes various forms, including the following:
1. Moderation in Religion and Belief
Moderation in religion refers to maintaining balance and avoiding both excess and negligence in one’s beliefs, acts of worship, morals, and religious practices. Religion should neither be stretched to the extreme of rigidity nor fall into the pit of laxity and carelessness. According to Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah, moderation means adhering faithfully to the Qur’an and Sunnah, following the understanding of the righteous predecessors (salaf-e-saalihiin), and taking into account the welfare of the people.
In short, moderation in belief means avoiding unwarranted takfir and refraining from excessive condemnation of individuals. Unfortunately, today there are those who, under the name of Islam, have plunged so deeply into extremism and exaggeration that they consider no one a Muslim besides themselves, declaring other Muslims as disbelievers based on baseless and unfounded reasons.
According to Islamic scholars, moderation in religion means that a person adheres to the Qur’an and Sunnah with full understanding, following the comprehension of the righteous predecessors (Salaf-e-Saalihiin), without excess or negligence. This moderation is neither a compromise with falsehood nor an extreme path; rather, it is the approach that preserves the purity of Islam and makes it practicable in every time and place.
The Glorious Qur’an has praised the Muslim Ummah for its moderation and balance:
﴿وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا﴾
“And thus We have made you a justly balanced (middle) nation.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:143)
Imam al-Ṭabarī (RA) says: “Wasat” means just and excellent; it does not refer to those who follow excess nor to those who fall short.
Ibn Kathīr (RA) states that the Muslim Ummah is the most balanced nation in its Shariah and methodology.
Allah Almighty also says elsewhere:
﴿لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ﴾
“Do not exceed the limits in your religion.”
(An-Nisā’ 4:171)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) explicitly prohibited excess and extremism:
«إيّاكم والغلوّ في الدِّين، فإنما أهلك من كان قبلكم الغلوّ في الدِّين»
“Beware of excess in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of such extremism.”
In short, one of the fundamental teachings of Islam is to maintain moderation and balance in all matters. Those who fall into excess or negligence on this path either misunderstand the true nature of Islam or have fallen into the trap of Satan.