Islam, Moderation and

Englightenment
Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad*

* Prof. Anis is meritorious professor and Vice Chancellor,

Riphah International University, Islamabad. He is also Editor of
Quarterly Journal West & Islam, Islamabad. He can be contacted
at anis@riphah.edu.pk and anis@anisahmad.com
1. General Meaning of Balance &
Moderation.
• A state of equilibrium;
• Mental or emotional stability
• The pleasing harmony of various elements, e.g.
Balance of power: sufficiently even distribution
of military and economic power among nations to
keep any one of them from becoming too strong
or dangerous.
• Equipment used for weighing.
2. General Meaning of extremism
The quality or state of going to extremism,
especially extreme right or extreme left in
politics; excessiveness, going beyond
desirable limits.
3. Forms of extremism
i. Self mortification through continuous dieting.
ii. Avoiding taking shower for years.
iii. Avoiding use of proper dress.
iv. Hosting lavish dinners and purchase of luxury cars
from tax payers money.
v. Leaving the world for the sake of elevation of soul
and spirit.
vi . Expulsion of God from political, legal,
educational, economic, cultural realism of life..
4. Western Concept of “Moderation”
i) Serving the secular and the sacred at one and the
same time such as:
– Observance of rituals, ceremons, festivals on fixed
times and days
– Loyalty to capitalist economic order, liberal democracy
and moral relativism in every day life.
– Double standards.
– declaration of religious liberty for the people to go to their
churches, synagogues shrines and masajid but prohibition
on use of scarf in public places.
– Blaming Muslim countries for their human rights violations
while doing mass killings, brutal torturing of P.O.Ws,
desecration of Qur’an in the name of war against “terror”.
– Accusing developing countries for child labor yet capturing
800 youth (aged 12 – 17) and encaging them in
Guantenamu Bay and other concentration camps.
• 5. What is Islam

• A comprehensive, balanced, way of life.

• Not “religion” in its western or eastern
connotation.
6. How Islam looks on Moderation
– It calls its followers a balanced people,
people of the middle or people of the mean
[ummatan wasatan]
“We have made you a middle ummah
(ummatan wasatan) that you may be
witness against mankind and that the
messenger may be a witness against you”
al-Baqarah 2:143
7. General rejection of extremism “…
and do not be extravagant, for Allah does not love
those who are prodigal (musrifin)”.
al-An’am 6:141
Believers are defined as:
“who are neither extravagant nor miserly in their
spending but follow a middle path”
al-Furqan 25:67
8. The Qur’an demands balance in all
walks of life.
– Dress: “O Children of Adam! Look to your
adornment at any time of worship (khuz
zenatakum) and eat and drink but be not prodigal
(wala tusrifu) Lo He loves not extravagance.
“Say who has forbidden you attire that Allah has
given to His Creatures and the good things that
He has provided…” al-A’raf 7:31-32
B. Balance in spending (Infaq):

“And those who when they spend (Anfaqu) neither

too lavishly not yet hold back and there is a just
balance between the two (wa kana bayna dhalika
qawama)
al-Furqan 25:67; also Bani Israil 17:29
C. In food habits

”And eat and drink but do not waste things, He loves

not the extravagant”
al-A’raf 7:31
“And do not be extravagant Allah loves not the
prodigals”
al-An’am 6:141
D. Balance in speech and waling:

“Be modest in your walk and lower your voice.

Surely the most repulsive voice is the donkey’s”

Luqman 31:19
E. In dealing with relatives:

“So give to your relatives what is their due, and to

those who are needy and way farers; and do not
dissipate (your wealth) extravagantly”.

Bani Israil17:26
(emphasis added)
F. In prayer and devotion.

“O you enwrapped in the cloak (of Prophethood)

keep watch all the night except some. A half of it
or a little less or a little more, and recite the Qur’an
slowly and distinctly”
al-Muzummil 73:1-4
9. The Prophet (pbuh) liked blance
“The best of affairs is their middle (mean)”
khayr al-umure ausatuha
(Baihaqi)
– Syeda ‘Aishah reported that the beloved Prophet
said: “The most pleasing of all actions to Allah is
that which is done continuously though it may be
small.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
10. Balance and moderation in all social,political,
economic and “religious” matters is the essence
of the Qur’an and Sunnah teachings.
11. Then what is the problem: why Muslims are
projected as “extremist”, “Violent”, “militant”
and “suicide bombers” “religious fanatics”
a. Western mind set does not accept any
role of “religion” in society, in the culture,
philosophy, economy, society, politics or
legal system.

Influence of “religion” is interpreted as

threat to “modernity”.
b. It does not feel threatened if
“religion” is confined to temple, synagogue
masjid or shrines of saints..

c. It feels unhappy when people are not

prepared to lose their identity, culture,
values, and dignity; or do not want to get
absorbed in western “secular” way of
life or hesitate in taking west as the model
for economic, social, political and
cultural development
12. Does the Qur’an contain “liberal” fundamentalist”,
“Moderate”or “extremist” version of Islam?

Islam is defined in the Qur’an as the complete way of life. “This day
I have perfected your din, (way of life) and bestowed My favors
upon you in full, and have chosen al-Islam as your din (way of life)

al- Ma’idah 5:3

– Used at around 105 places, in the Qur’an the term Din does not mean
madhhab or religion. Din means realization ofAllah’s authority
(hakimiyyah) in all walks of life in order to please Allah.
– It is not confined to salat, zakat, saum or hajj.
Islam, also defines itself as din al fitrah, the most
natural way for man and the universe. “And so set
your face steadfastly toward the (ever true) faith in
accordance with the natural disposition
(fitratallahillati fataranasa ‘alayha) which Allah
has instilled in man, there is no altering (in the
Laws) Allah’s Creation.. That is the true way of
life (dhalikad dinul Qaiyiam), but most
people know not”
al-Rum 30:30
13. How to avoid extremism and
create Balance?
The Qur’an and the sunnah regard observance
of ‘adl as the most important condition for a
balanced way of life.

“ Verily Allah has enjoined justice, the doing

of good, and giving of gifts to your relatives,
and forbidden indecency, impropriety and
rebellion…”
al-Nahl 16:90
 Balance and moderation (‘adl, tawazun)
means:
A. Observance of huquq Allah and
huquq al ‘ibad in:
i) Family life
ii) Economic transaction
iii) Political matters
iv) Cultural manifestation
v) Devotions and ibadat
B. It also means rejections of fanaticism
“O people of the Book, do not be
fanatical (la taghlu) in your din
(faith)

an-Nisa 4:171
C. Culture of knowledge.
Removal of ignorant ways through the
light of truth, proper guidance, education and
purification.
“O men you have received infallible proof
(Burhan) for your Lord, and We have sent
down a beacon light (nuran mubina). So
those who believe in Allah and hold fast to
Him shall indeed be received into His mercy
and His grace and be guided to Him by the
right path (siratan mustaqima).
an-Nisa 4:174 – 175
 D. Englightenment of the mind and soul

“…to you has come light (nurun) and a clear Book

(kitabum mubinun) from Allah through which Allah
will lead those who follow His pleasure (ridwanahu)
to the path of peace and guides them out of darkness
into light by His will and to the path that is straight”

a-Ma’idah 5:15-16
“O Prophet; we have sent you as a witness and a
bearer of happy tidings and a Warner. And as
a summoner to Allah by His permission and
as a lamp rediant sirajam munira”

al-Ahzab 33: 45-46

14. Conclusion

1. Balance and moderation can only be achieved when

we follow strictly the Qur’an and sunnah or hadith in
all walks of life.
2. To create balance we seek guidance directly from the
Qur’an and sunnah i.e. make mandatory teaching of
the Qur’an and the sunnah at elementary, secondary
and higher education levels.
3. Develop tolerance for differences of views. Involve
knowledgeable persons in face to face dialogue to
discuss common points and differences.
4. Take necessary measures for
development of Islamic
personality of youth.
5. Create confidence and pride in Islamic
culture and in Pakistan ideology.
6. Differentiate between modernization and
westernization.
Thank you

May 17,2007