❖FROM MONOTHEISM TO POLYTHEISM : What Happened? ❖

 

۞  The First Idols: How Polytheistic Worship Emerged  ۞ 

➖➖➖

Allaah (ﷻ) created mankind and the jinn to worship Him alone, and He provided for them everything they need to fulfil this purpose.

Allaah, the Exalted, said:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ۝ مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍۢ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ ۝ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلْقُوَّةِ ٱلْمَتِينُ

“And I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. Indeed, Allaah is the Provider, the Possessor of strength, the Firm.”

[Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58]

Tawheed is firmly rooted in the natural disposition (fitrah) of mankind, while Shirk is something that enters into and corrupts that natural disposition.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“So direct your face towards the religion, inclining to truth—the Fitrah (natural disposition) of Allaah upon which He has created mankind. There is no changing the creation of Allaah. That is the straight religion, but most people do not know.”

[Ar-Rum 30:30] 

And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ

كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ

“Every child is born upon the  Fitrah (natural disposition), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1385; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2658] 

Therefore, Tawheed is the original state of mankind. Mankind was initially upon Tawheed, but Shaytaan gradually led people away from it until Shirk appeared.

Polytheism and corruption in Aqeedah first became widespread among the people of Nūḥ (عليه السلام), and Nūḥ (عليه السلام) was the first Messenger sent to mankind.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّۭا وَلَا سُوَاعًۭا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًۭا

“And they said: Never leave your gods, and never leave Wadd, nor Suwaa‘, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya‘ooq, nor Nasr.”

[Nūḥ 71:23]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنهما) explained that these were the names of righteous men from the people of Nūḥ. When they died, Shaytaan inspired their people to make statues in the places where they used to gather and name them after them. The people did so, but the statues were not worshipped at first. When that generation died and knowledge was forgotten, the statues were eventually worshipped.

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4920] 

This shows how Shirk develops gradually. It may begin with something that appears to be a good intention—remembering righteous people—but eventually leads people away from the worship of Allaah alone.

Although many people throughout history committed Shirk in worship, most of them still acknowledged that Allaah is the Creator, Provider and Controller of the universe. Their main error was directing acts of worship to others besides Him.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ

“And if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon, they will surely say: Allaah.”

[Al-‘Ankabūt 29:61]

Thus, merely believing that Allaah exists and that He is the Creator is not sufficient. A person must also worship Allaah alone, without directing any act of worship to another.

May Allaah (ﷻ) keep us firm upon Tawheed, protect us from every form of Shirk, and guide us and our families to the Straight Path.

*آمِيْن*

🛑ZINA :🚫 UNLAWFUL RELATIONSHIPS

 

 💔 When Temptation Leads You Across the Line 

Do not be afraid to read this. Read it as a reminder to yourself and to every Muslim who wants to protect their faith, marriage, family and relationship with Allah.

Zina is one of the serious sins warned against in Islam. Allah does not only tell us to avoid zina; He tells us not to go near it.

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا

“Do not go near adultery. It is truly a shameful deed and an evil way.”

— Qur’an 17:32

That is a powerful warning. A believer should not only avoid the final act, but also avoid the paths that can lead there.

 

Protect Your Haya (Modesty)

Imagine having a husband or wife at home who trusts you, while secretly becoming involved with someone else.

Imagine teaching your children, “Stay away from zina,” while privately doing the very thing you warned them against.

Where is our haya? Where is our fear of Allah?

The Prophet ﷺ said:

وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ

“Haya (modesty) is a branch of faith.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari 9

A Muslim should protect his or her modesty and remember that privacy from people does not mean privacy from Allah.

🔐You may hide the messages.

🗑️You may delete the conversations.

📍You may lie about where you were.

But Allah knows.

يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ

“He knows the stealthy glances of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.”

— Qur’an 40:19

Zina Often Begins Before the Final Act

Zina may begin with something that appears small.

✨A glance becomes a conversation.

💬A conversation becomes flirting.

💞Flirting becomes emotional attachment.

🔒Secret messages become secret meetings.

🚧And eventually, a boundary is crossed.

This is why Allah says:

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَىٰ

“Do not go near zina.”

— Qur’an 17:32

🚫Do not play with temptation.

🔒Do not maintain secret relationships.

💬Do not entertain inappropriate conversations.

Do not convince yourself that you can keep walking toward the fire without eventually getting burned.

🚪Walk away while you still can.

Zina Can Destroy What You Already Have

A person may think, “It is only one mistake.”

But one sinful relationship can destroy years of trust.

It can hurt a husband or wife, affect children, damage families and leave behind emotional pain and regret.

A few moments of forbidden pleasure are not worth risking your marriage, your family, your dignity and your relationship with Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ warned strongly about adultery. When asked about the greatest sins, he mentioned associating partners with Allah, killing one's child, and then committing adultery with one's neighbour's wife.

ثُمَّ أَنْ تُزَانِيَ حَلِيلَةَ جَارِكَ

“Then that you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbour.”

— Sahih Muslim 86a

This reminds us how seriously Islam treats the betrayal involved in zina.

Don't Believe Every Claim—Follow the Evidence

We should fear zina because Allah has forbidden it, not because we need to repeat unverified statements.

The Qur'an and authentic Sunnah already give us enough warning.

Allah calls zina a shameful deed and an evil way.

And Allah also leaves the door of repentance open.

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَٰتٍۢ

“Except those who repent, believe and do righteous deeds. For them, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds.”

— Qur’an 25:70

What If You Have Already Fallen?

🌤️ Do not despair.

If you have committed zina, repent to Allah.

🛑 Stop the sin.

End the relationship that is taking you toward it.

💔 Feel sincere regret.

🤲 Ask Allah for forgiveness.

🛑 Make a firm intention not to return.

And remember the mercy of Allah.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

“Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Surely He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

— Qur’an 39:53

Your past does not have to become your future.

Remember This When Temptation Comes

When nobody else is watching, Allah is watching.

When nobody else knows, Allah knows.

When you have an opportunity to commit the sin but walk away for the sake of Allah, Allah knows that too.

💍 Remember your spouse.

👨‍👩‍👧 Remember your children.

🕌 Remember your faith.

⚖️ Remember the Day of Judgment.

And remember that what you give up for Allah is never truly lost.

Allah says:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.”

— Qur’an 39:10

Repent Before It Is Too Late

Do not say:

“I will repent later.”

Nobody knows when death will come.

What if tonight is your last night?

What if the next sin you commit becomes the last deed recorded in your life?

⏳ Do not wait.

🚪 Leave the sin.

🔒 Leave the secret relationship.

🤲 Turn back to Allah.

🕊️ Make sincere tawbah.

Allah's mercy is greater than your sin when you sincerely return to Him.

May Allah protect our eyes from haram, our hearts from temptation, our marriages from betrayal and our souls from zina. May Allah grant us haya, taqwa and the strength to walk away from everything that displeases Him.

آمِينَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Ameen, Ya Rabbal-'Alamin.

17 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CONCENTRATION IN SALAAH

 

17 Powerful Ways to Deepen Your Connection with Allah in Salah

1. Pray slowly and take your time changing your positions. Do not rush through the salah.

2. Focus on perfecting your humbleness and your concentration on Allah (SWT) when you pray.

3. Prepare properly for Salah, take your time making Wudu

4. Use a Miswak for every wudu and/or every Salah

5. Come early for the Salah and prepare yourself to concentrate.

6. Listen and pay attention to the Adhaan. Repeat what the Muazzin says and make a supplication after the Adhaan. Dua isn’t refused between the Adhaan and the Iqamah.

7. Go to the masjid on time so you can get a good spot behind the imam

8. Aim for the full reward of the salah.

9. Perfect your Rukooh and Sujood. Make sure you are fully still when you do them.

10. Contemplate the Ayaah and adhkaar you are reciting in your Salah. Know what they mean.

11. Pray in congregation.

12. Don’t miss the nafl prayers, especially the Sunnah Muakkadah and the witr prayers.

13. Don’t speed up your Salah and pay attention to what you are doing in the Salah.

14. Remember that Allah (SWT) responds to your Salah. As long as you are paying attention to your Salah, Allah is paying attention to it, but when your heart turns away from the Salah, Allah (SWT) has no need to listen to your du'a.

15. Pray with a Sutra and draw near to it. If someone tries to pass in front of you, put your hand out to stop them so that they don’t cross in front of you to break your concentration.

16. Seek refuge from the Shaytan when you go for your Salah. If you are distracted by thoughts in your Salah, then turn to your left side with your head and spit thrice with dry spittle and say “audhubillahi minash Shaytanar Rajeem.”

17. Pray as if it is your last prayer. Say to yourself, “I’ll never be able to pray another prayer after this.”

▶️THE POWER AND EXCELLENCE OF DHIKR◀️

 

▶️The Remembrance of Allah: A Source of Tranquillity ◀️

🌷Allãh ﷻ said:

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ (152)

"Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you and be grateful to Me, and never be ungrateful to Me." 

[2:152]

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا (41)

☘️ "O you who believe! Remember ALLÃH with much remembrance." 

[Al-'Ahzaab, 41]

 وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ (205)

🍀"And bring your Lord to remembrance in your [very] soul, with humility and remember without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings, and be not of those who are unheedful." 

[7:205]

▶️AHadiths about Zikr:

🌹The prophet ﷺ said: Allãh ﷻ said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى

أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلأٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلأٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ بِشِبْرٍ تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' "

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7405; Sahih Muslim 2675.]

🌴The Prophet ﷺ said: 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ

مَا قَعَدَ قَوْمٌ مَقْعَدًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ. وَمَا مَشَى قَوْمٌ مَمْشًى لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ. وَمَا اضْطَجَعَ قَوْمٌ مَضْجَعًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ

رواه أبو داود والنسائي

"Whoever takes a seat and fails to remember Allãh, has incurred upon himself a loss from Allãh, and whoever lies down (relaxes) and fails to remember Allãh, has incurred himself a loss from Allãh."

[Sunan Abi Dawud 4856; Musnad Ahmad 9711.]

 

🌳Narrated Abu Huraira; The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ

كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

رواه البخاري ومسلم

 

"(There are) two words which are dear to the  Beneficent (Allah) and very light (easy) for the tongue (to say), but  very heavy in weight in the balance. They are: ''Subhan Allah wa-bi  hamdihi'' and ''Subhan Allah Al-`Azim."  

[Sahih al-Bukhari 6682; Sahih Muslim 2694.]

🔚 Note: May Allah make our tongues constantly moist with His remembrance, our hearts alive with His love, and our lives filled with obedience to Him. May He grant us sincerity in our Dhikr and make it a means of attaining His pleasure and Paradise. Āmīn. 🤲

“So remember Me; I will remember you.” — 

Qur’an 2:152

TRUSTING ALLAH COMPLETLY: The Essence of Tawakkul

 

Allah Is Enough: The Meaning of Complete Reliance

▫▫▫🍀▫▫▫🍀▫▫🍀▫▫▫

Once certainty is firmly rooted in the heart, it bears the fruit of true and sincere reliance on Allah. Therefore, none of those people with weak faith and those with diseased hearts would have the smallest share of reliance, for they have lost its direct source, namely firm belief in Allah and His promise.

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (49) 

"…But whoever puts his trust in Allah, then surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” 

Surah Al-Anfal (8:49)

Indeed, when reliance upon Allah is lacking, everything else will be lacking, and nothing will remain but humiliation and lowliness in this life and the Hereafter. When reliance upon Allah is missing, we become overwhelmed by Satan who then subjugates us to his control, 

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ (98) إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ (99)

"When you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected. Surely he has no power over those who believe and who put their trust in their Lord." 

[Surah An-Nahl (16), Ayah 98-99.]

Apart from those who believe and put their trust in Allah, all others are the awliyyaa' of Satan (those who obey and follow him), 

إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ (100)

"His (Satan's) power is only over those who obey and follow him, and those who join partners with Allah." 

[Surah An-Nahl (16), Ayah 100.]

إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ (175)

"It is only Satan who frightens his awliyyaa' (those who obey and follow him); so, fear them not but fear Me, if you are believers." 

[Surah AleImran (3), Ayah 175.]

When reliance on Allah is lost, a servant's resolve, will and courage become replaced with cowardice, weakness, despair and fear. He also loses the love for Allah (SWT),

 إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ (159)

"Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." 

[Surah Ale-Imran (3), Ayah 159.]

As a result of this the servant also loses true faith,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ (2) 

"[True] believers are those whose hearts tremble when [the Name of] Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them it increases their faith, and who put their trust in their Lord." 

[Surah Al-Anfal (8), Ayah 2.]

وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ (160)

"And in Allah [alone] let the believers put their trust." 

[Surah Ale-Imran(3), Ayah 160.]

  وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ (23)

"And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed." 

[Surah Al-Ma'idah (5), Ayah 23.]

Saeed bin Jubair said,

التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ هُوَ كَمَالُ الْإِيمَانِ

 "Reliance upon Allah is total faith."

 Wahb bin Munabbih said, 

«التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَقْصَى دَرَجَاتِ الإِيمَانِ»

"Reliance upon Allah represents the utmost degree [of faith]."

Indeed, true worship cannot be undertaken without total reliance on Allah (SWT). This is the reason why Allah (SWT) mentions them together in many a verse of the Qur'an,

 وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ الْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ فَاعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ (123)

"And to Allah belongs the Ghaib (unseen) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him return all affairs (for decision]. So worship Him and put your trust in Him." 

[Surah Hud (11), Ayah 123.]

May Allah grant us total Reliance (Utmost Faith in Him).  Aameen

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LIVING ISLAM THROUGH THE MIDDLE PATH

 

Islam: A Religion of Balance and Moderation

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ (6)

“O Allah, guide us to the Straight Path” 

(Surah al-Fatiha: verse: 6)

The entire Quran is an explanation of this verse. The essence of being a Muslim is to follow the ‘middle path’ which is in effect, the ‘straight path’ towards Allah almighty. Islam upholds a balance between the spiritual and intellectual, theory and law, infusing these elements together to find the middle path. The Islamic faith is moderate, balanced and equitable. This message is central to the Islamic practice and is seen to be addressed in all aspects of our daily lives. There is moderation in every deed, creed and trait.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ

…We have appointed you a middle nation (ummatan wasatan), that you may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you 

(Qur’an 2:143)

In this verse, Allah (SWT) has commanded and ordained Muslims to be a nation of the middle path. The term ‘Wasatan’ refers to the central point that is right in the middle between two ends and away from the two extremes. The second and classical meaning of ‘Wasatan’ is to be the best of, or the pinnacle of i.e. the best of the people.

Therefore, it is evident from this command that Muslims must remain steadfast in committing themselves to the middle way. Muslims must not lax or be negligent(Tafreet) in their practice and must be free from being too extreme or being excessive (Ifraat). This ultimately is described as paving the way for the ‘best’ nation.

The call for moderation is embedded in all aspects of Muslim practice, some of which are highlighted below.

MODERATION is needed during prayer:

 ۚ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا (110)

Allah says ‘And do not be too loud (reciting the Qur’an) in your (congregational) prayer, and do not be too quiet in it, rather seek a (moderate) way between these two) 

(Qur’an 17:110)

In EXPENDITURE:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا (67)

“And those (pious ones) when they spend, they are neither extravagant nor miserly, rather their manner between them is of moderation” 

(25:67)

MODERATION is even needed when giving to charity. This is to say that Muslims must help those in need but we must be equally aware of our own financial position so we do not place ourselves in hardship either:

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًا مَّحْسُورًا (29) 

“And do not keep your hand bound to your neck, and do not extent it either to its full extent, lest you end up sitting blamed and destitute” 

(17:29)

Even in matters of CONSUMPTION:

وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ (31)

“And eat and drink, and do not exceed the limits. Verily Allah does not like the exceeders of limits” 

(Qur’an 7:31)

When giving da’wah (islamic call):

 ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ (125) 

In regards to calling people towards Allah (swt), the Qur’an gives clear instructions to“Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better” 

(Qur’an 16:125) 

The Qur’an therefore makes it clear that even in the matter of Islamic call (da’wah), one should be peaceful, non-violent, balanced and fair. It is important to lead by example, and to do so peacefully. “Da’wah” implies fair invitation infused with the provisions of wisdom (Hikmah) to the common good of mankind.

 

 لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ

The Qur’an gives a clear instruction that there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). 

Nowhere in the Qur’an does Allah (swt) call to change people’s religion using force. We acknowledge that true guidance comes from the creator, not ourselves. The Qur’an states 

وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً ۖ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ (118)

"And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community, but they will [always] continue to differ." 

(11:118)

 لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا ۚ

"To each of you We have ordained a code of law and a way of life"

 

(5:48)

In matters against OPPRESSION:

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ (8)

O you who believe! Stand firm for Allah, [as] witnesses with justice. And let not hatred of a people cause you not to act equitably…

(Qur’an 5.8)

It is important that Muslims protect those who have been the victims of oppression by bringing the aggressors to justice. The Qur’an also demands that Muslim’s do not ‘let the hatred cause you to act equitably’ and therefore, allow these criminals to turn them into similar criminals. Allah asks Muslims to not “transgress the limits of Allah” (Qur’an 2:229). If Muslims act equally atrociously to the oppressors, then they are simply following the footsteps of the oppressors and not the message that Allah has commanded in the Qur’an when reacting to the victimization of the oppressed.

This principle of moderation is enshrined in the Qur’an. Therefore, it is important to remember that the notion of balance and fairness must be deeply ingrained into one’s heart in order to fulfill their Deen to the highest level. Our souls are afterall –  the most important and valuable item that we own in this life and must be constantly nurtured. It is not to say that we cannot enjoy the fruits of this world, but we must continuously acknowledge the akhira (afterlife) and not allow the fruits to effect  or heavily burden our souls. Similarly, excessive and restrictive practice to a point where there is no capacity to manoeuvre can lead us down a dangerous path. Allah discourages Muslims from going beyond their limits and Islam advocates complete moderation, perfect ease and full liberty in all matters of faith and religious practices.

The struggle within Islamic practice is to acknowledge that ‘religiousness’ is not equated with ‘overwhelming’ practice but in fact to realize that the struggle is to find a perfect balance. Whenever you take action on matters, ask yourself “What would be the most excessive version of this action?” and “What would be the most relaxed version of this action?”. Reflect, you have vision (Qur’an 59:2)

 لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ 

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” (Qur’an 2:286)

May Allah SWT increase our knowledge and Imaan. Aamin