Three Foundational Principles of Balance in Islam from the Prophetic Life Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Definition of Balance in Religion
Alḥamdulillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
In Islam, moderation (iʿtidāl) means that a person neither exceeds the limits set by Allah ﷻ nor falls short of them.
A balanced individual is one who avoids both extremism (ghulūw) and negligence (tafrīṭ) in religious matters.
The Prophetic Example: The Perfect Model of Balance
The clearest path to true moderation is to firmly adhere to the noble Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
✔ Exaggeration is to go beyond the limits of his Sunnah.
✔ Neglect is to fail to strive toward the example of his noble character and practice.
✿ Example ①: Imbalance in Worship
Suppose someone says:
"I intend to pray all night and never sleep, because prayer is the most virtuous act."
— This attitude reflects exaggeration and goes against the moderate nature of Islam.
A similar situation occurred during the time of the Prophet ﷺ:
➤ One man said: “I will pray the whole night.”
➤ Another said: “I will fast every day without break.”
➤ A third said: “I will not marry women.”
When the Prophet ﷺ heard this, he said:
«مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ يَقُولُونَ كَذَا وَكَذَا؟ أَنَا أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي»
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6101; Sahih Muslim 1401)
Meaning:
“What is wrong with people who say such things? I fast and break my fast, I pray and sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ added:
“Indeed, I am the most God-fearing among you, yet I fast and break fast, pray and sleep, and marry women. Whoever abandons my Sunnah is not from me.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5063)
These individuals engaged in religious extremism, and the Prophet ﷺ disapproved of their abandonment of his balanced Sunnah.
✿ Example ②: Attitude Toward a Sinner (Fāsiq)
A sinful man comes before three people:
① First person: Completely avoids him, doesn’t greet or speak to him — this is extremism.
② Second person: Welcomes him warmly and even invites him — this is negligence.
③ Third person: Loves him for his faith but dislikes his sin. If cutting off contact will help reform him, he does so; otherwise, he maintains a wise connection — this is moderation.
✿ Example ③: Treatment of One’s Wife
① First man: Obeys every word of his wife without regard for Islamic guidance — this is exaggeration.
② Second man: Treats his wife with contempt and arrogance — this is deficiency.
③ Third man: Treats his wife with justice and kindness, following divine instruction — this is balance.
﴿وَلَهُنَّ مِثلُ الَّذى عَلَيهِنَّ بِالمَعروفِ﴾
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:228)
Translation:
“And women have rights over men similar to those of men over them in a just manner.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَفْرَكْ مُؤْمِنٌ مُؤْمِنَةً، إِنْ كَرِهَ مِنْهَا خُلُقًا رَضِيَ مِنْهَا آخَرَ»
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1467)
Meaning:
“A believing man should not despise a believing woman. If he dislikes one trait in her, he may be pleased with another.”
Conclusion
✔ Balance is essential in every religious action and relationship.
✔ Whether it is worship or interaction with others, both extremism and negligence are blameworthy.
✔ The Prophetic path and the way of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs represent true balance, and whoever follows it is on the path of truth.
❝ Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb ❞
(This is what I know; and Allah knows best what is right.)
