Moderation in Islam

Moderation is the most important characteristic of Islam. It is probably how Islam views human nature and the meaning of life. Man is created by Allah the Almighty and is commanded to be Allah’s viceroy on earth. Islam discourages luxurious and lavish living. It is a general observation that luxurious life styles lead to weakness among nations, and eventually to their downfall. The existence of luxury is also an expression of social injustice, as few can afford luxurious items at the expense of the deprived masses of people. The holy Qur’an says “when we intend to destroy a township, we permit its luxury loving people to commit wickedness therein. Then the word is proved true against it and we then destroy it utterly” (Surah Al-Isra 17:16). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the perfect example of moderation.
Prophet (SAW) advised his followers to spend within their means, neither to be too lavish as to make themselves destitute nor to hold back their wealth from those who had a claim on their resources. Corruption, dissolution, nervous and mental disorders, intellectual and sexual perversions are eating away the body of present day civilization by destroying the nations and individuals, by exposing the people to evil and corrupt means of life. However, as long as the human kind follows the laws ordained by the creator (Allah the Al,mighty), all aspects of his/her life in the environment of the earth go the natural way. But, if deviations occur from the prescribed path of the creator (Allah the Almighty) all the social, environmental calamities that, human beings face today ensue. It is in the fitness of things, that human life styles be programmed according to the laws of the creator to save humanity from environmental disasters. To conclude, moderation is a comprehensive principle in Islam that guides a Muslim in all activities of his or her daily life. It is the avoidance of any type of extremism pleasing to Satan that leads us astray from the straight path. With a renewed understanding of this Islamic teaching, Muslims can help counter the many rising tides of extremism that threaten not only the Muslim community, but all humanity.