Friday Brief: Moderation (Wasatiyyah) As The Essence Of Islam

In a world often polarised between extremism and apathy, the Islamic principle of Wasatiyyah—moderation or the golden mean—emerges not as a modern compromise, but as a divine command and the defining character of the Muslim community. The Quran explicitly designates believers as “a middle nation” (2:143), a community of balance that bears witness to humanity. This foundational concept is not a passive midpoint but an active, vigilant state of justice, wisdom, and proportion that permeates all aspects of life. The theological foundation is profound. Moderation stems from a balanced understanding of God’s absolute sovereignty and His boundless mercy. It rejects the extremes of despair and presumption, teaching hope grounded in effort and repentance. In worship, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) firmly cautioned against excess, stating, “Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of faith.” When some companions wished to abandon worldly comforts for perpetual prayer, he redirected them to fulfil the rights of their bodies, families, and society, establishing a model where spiritual devotion enhances, rather than negates, responsible earthly life. This balance extends to ethics and conduct. In charity, one should not give so much as to become destitute, nor cling so tightly to wealth as to withhold what is due (25:67). In anger and emotion, the ideal is the middle way between suppression and uncontrolled rage. Even in matters of doctrine and interpretation, the path of the early majority (Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah) was consciously forged between rigid literalism and speculative excess. Practically, Wasatiyyah is the antidote to the twin dangers of religious extremism (ghuluww) and secular dissolution. It commands justice and forbids transgression; it enjoins steadfastness without rigidity. The Prophet (PBUH) warned, “Beware of extremism in religion, for those who came before you were destroyed by it.” Thus, Islamic moderation is a comprehensive framework for a virtuous, sustainable, and just life. It is a call to embody strength with compassion, conviction with tolerance, and piety with societal engagement. In an age of absolutes, it is this divinely ordained, balanced middle path—the path of wisdom, mercy, and proportion—that truly represents the enduring and merciful message of Islam.