Moderation

“Be moderate and adhere to moderation, for there is no one among you who will be saved by his deeds.” They said: “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Not even me. Unless Allah encompasses me with mercy and grace from Him.” Sunan Ibn Majah

Moderation “wasatiya” in Arabic language demonstrates mastering the middle stance. Linguists give it multiple significances but they all lead to the same end; the “middle” is fairness. Middle is the centre between any two opposites; one opposite is commendable while the other is lamentable.

Moderation is a commendable behaviour (whether physical or moral). It safeguards us from slipping into opposite (or diverging) extremes that fall under the spell of either excessiveness or extremism; whether in the domain of religion of life. Ibnul-Qayem says, “Allah has not ordained any command except that Satan has two incitements in it; negligence and dereliction on the one side, and extremism and exaggeration on the other. He cares not in which trap of the two you fall as long as you eventually fall.” When one reads the Qur’an and Sunnah thoroughly, one realises that Islam is essentially moderation so long as it does not deviate from justice, choice, integrity and balance. These are indeed the principles that Islam came to propagate! Ibnul-Qayem says, “The whole of religion of Allah lies between these two ends; negligence and extravagance!”

Following the events of 9/11 the whole Islamic nation felt a real urge to convey the true message of Islam and moderation. They felt a real urge to spread this notion among others. So the moderation of Islam emerged as an authentic tool that can be used to confront the challenges of the modern age and protect Islam at the same time. It is indeed the logical alternative for solving tough problems; a moderation that encompasses legislation, society, politics, economy, culture and education.