We often hear that the Middle Path is a central tenant of Buddhism. Does Islam also speak of middle path and moderation in different aspects of life? Read this on till the end to learn more.
Islam teaches the Middle Path and a balanced approach to all facets of life. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Moderation, moderation! For only with moderation will you succeed.”
Given below are some verses from the Holy Quran emphasising the role and importance of moderation.
Moderation in Religious Issues
Holy Quran 17:110 Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman; Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names. And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but between these two extremes, seek a middle way.
Holy Quran 13:9-10 He is the Knower of the seen and the unseen—the All-Great, Most Exalted. It is the same ˹to Him˺ whether any of you speaks secretly or openly, whether one hides in the darkness of night or goes about in broad daylight.
Look for Similarities and not Differences
Al-Quran 3:64- Say: “O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you. That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).
Fight Oppressors but don’t Transgress the Limits
Al-Quran 2:190 Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.
Show Patience in Hardship and Adversity
Al-Quran 2:177 Virtue does not consist in whether you face towards the East or the West; virtue means believing in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the prophets; the virtuous are those who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travelers and those who ask [for charity], and to set slaves free, and who attend to their prayers and pay the alms, and who keep their pledges when they make them, and show patience in hardship and adversity, and in times of distress. Such are the true believers, and such are the God-fearing.
Al-Quran 2:155 Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.
There is no Compulsion in Religion
Al-Quran 2:256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
Don’t Exceed the Limits in Religion
Al-Quran 5:77 Say: “O people of the Book! exceed not in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by,- who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the even way.
Forgive and make Reconciliations
Al-Quran 42:38-39 Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they retaliate [in a just manner].
Al-Quran 42:40-41 The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.
Al-Quran 42:42-43 The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous. But indeed if any shows patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
There are ample Hadiths as well on the issue of the middle path and moderation in Islam.
Make Things Easy and not Complicated
Sahih Bukhari 69 Prophet (s) said- “Make things easy for others and not complicated. And make others happy and not angry.”
Sunan Abi Dawud 4835 Abu Musa reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Gladden people and do not scare them; make things easy and do not make them difficult.
Mishkat al-Masabih 3723 Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult; make people calm and do not scare them.”
Riyad as-Salihin 636 Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them).”
Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 473 Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Make things easy and do not make things difficult. Calm people and do not arouse their aversion.”
Sunan an-Nasai Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 56 It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “A Bedouin stood up and urinated in the Masjid, and the people started shouting. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to them: ‘Leave him alone and spill a bucket of water over his urine. For you have been sent to make things easy for people, you have not been sent to make things difficult.'”
Also Read| Islam and Monasticism
Make Reconciliations not Differences
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 682: Narrated Ibn Mas’ud: I heard a person reciting a (Quranic) Verse in a certain way, and I had heard the Prophet reciting the same Verse in a different way. So I took him to the Prophet and informed him of that but I noticed the sign of disapproval on his face, and then he said, “Both of you are correct, so don’t differ, for the nations before you differed, so they were destroyed.”
Love and Hate Moderately
Jami`at-Tirmidhi 1997 Muhammad bin Sirin narrated from Abu Hurairah – and I think he (narrated it from the Prophet) who said: “Love your beloved moderately, perhaps he becomes hated to you someday. And hate whom you hate moderately, perhaps he becomes your beloved someday.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Islam, like Buddhism, advocates the concept of the middle path and moderation in various aspects of life.
The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasize the importance of balance and moderation, guiding followers to avoid extremes.
The Holy Quran contains verses that promote moderation in religious matters, encourage finding common ground, and discourage excesses.
The Prophet’s hadiths further reinforce these principles, urging Muslims to make things easy for others, reconcile differences, and love and hate in moderation.
The central message is one of balance and equilibrium, reflecting the idea that success and righteousness lie in the middle path.
Islam’s teachings on moderation are not only relevant to individual behavior but also provide a framework for harmonious coexistence and understanding among diverse communities.
