The Concept of Moderation and Balance in Islam
In linguistic terms, moderation refers to a middle ground between two extremes, maintaining a fair balance. This concept is exemplified by God’s -the Exalted- description of the community of Muhammad -peace be upon him- in the verse: (And thus We have made you a justly balanced community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you). This divine characterization distinguishes the followers of Muhammad from other nations. Moderation is often associated with the best and most beneficial outcomes, harmonizing with the innate disposition that God has instilled in humanity.
Human nature is characterized by fluctuations between periods of lethargy and energy; thus, Islam’s moderation is designed to accommodate this variability. The Islamic principle promotes moderation as the preferred path. Moreover, the followers of the Sunnah are regarded as the moderates, as indicated by the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- who stated: (A group from my Ummah will continue to be on the truth, dominant until the Day of Judgment).
Moderation and Balance in the Quran and Sunnah
Numerous pieces of evidence in the Quran and the prophetic traditions underscore the moderate nature of Islam and the community of our Prophet, including the following:
- In the Quran, Allah -the Exalted- states: (Guide us to the Straight Path * the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray). Here, Allah describes the followers of the Straight Path as neither among those who have incurred His wrath (the Jews, who are extreme in their religious practices) nor those who have gone astray (the Christians, who exaggerate in their worship), thereby asserting that Islam embodies a balanced approach free from excess or deficiency.
- Abdullah ibn Masoud -may Allah be pleased with him- narrated a hadith from the Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him-, saying: (The Messenger of Allah drew a line and said: This is the path of Allah. He then drew lines on either side of it and said: These are other paths, and on every one of them, there is a devil calling to it. Then he recited: (And indeed, this is My Straight Path, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for they will separate you from His Path)).
Consequences of Moderation and Balance
Committing to the principles of moderation and balance yields several significant impacts on both individuals and society, including:
- Acknowledgment of the Sunnah as a primary source of Islamic legislation, implementing its rulings in daily life.
- A continuous pursuit of knowledge, ensuring that individuals do not reach a point where they feel they have mastered all aspects of study, understanding, and application—an issue often encountered by extremists. Allah -the Exalted- says: (And if an announcement is made to them regarding safety or fear, they spread it. But if they had referred it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, they would have known it by [the facts] among them. And if it had not been for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few).
- Verification of information before sharing it with others.
- Seeking knowledge from qualified individuals, adhering to proper etiquette, ethical conduct, and fulfilling rights and responsibilities.
- Engaging with people and exercising patience in the face of adversity, while understanding the concept of seclusion accurately and applying it only as needed, avoiding extremes.
- Establishing clear relationships between rulers and the ruled, defining the rights and obligations of each party so that neither infringes upon the other.
- Adhering to individual rights and responsibilities within the community, leading to mutual assistance, societal stability, and balanced livelihoods among its members.