Chapter 14: About Moderation in the Acts of Obedience

Translation: [ Islam is the religion of moderation and ease. It is the religion that gives the body and the spirit their due rights. A Muslim is forbidden to neglect his lawful desires that support him to worship Allah moderately.

Translation: The Muslim should work for the Hereafter as if he could die the next day and he should work for his life as if he could live forever. Thus, moderation in the acts of worship and in enjoyment of the worldly delights is ordered by Islam.

Those who go to the extremes are liable to go astray and are not liable to reach the destination they hope for.

Allah mentions this in His Book, The Noble Koran, which narrates to us what the wise men said to Qaroon (Korah):

Translation: " Verily, Qaroon (Korah) was of Moses people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: ' Do not rejoice (with ungratefulness to Allah's Favors). Verily! Allah likes not the jubilant (with ungratefulness to

Translation: Allah's Favors). * But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the those who do mischief. * " (28: 76-77)

Translation: The Noble Koran wonders about those who deprive themselves from enjoyment of the wholesome things that Allah has permitted them to enjoy, drawing their attention to the fact that only unwholesome things along with open and concealed lewdness are forbidden. The Noble Koran says:

Translation: " O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying (and going round Ka'aba), and eat and drink, but waste not through extravagance. Certainly, He (Allah) likes not those who waste through extravagance. * Say (O Muhammad!): " Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for His slaves, and the wholesome sustenance (He has provided you with)? " Say: " They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe (and) exclusively for them (the believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them). " Thus We expound the verses in detail for people who have knowledge. * Say: (O Muhammad!): " (But)

Translation: the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-fawahish (the great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse and the like) whether committed openly or secretly, unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge. " " (7: 31-33)

Translation: Some of those who proscribe what Allah has legalized abandon wealth under the false claim that it is evil for man to have wealth. The Messenger of Allah refutes their allegation in the following Hadith compiled by Ibn Majah:

Translation: Narrated Abdullah ibn Khobayb from his cousin: ' Once, we were sitting and the Prophet came with some traces of water on his hair. We said: " We see you in good mood today. " The Prophet said: “ Indeed, this true. ” The people started talking about riches and the Messenger of Allah said: “ There is no harm in wealth as long as one fears Alla h. There is no harm in health as long as one fears Allah. And being contended is of blessing. " " "

This Hadith shows that the Muslim is permitted to possess any property under the following conditions:

Translation: 1. That they are earned lawfully (i.e. he should not to go to the extreme and steals them, etc.). At the same time, he is forbidden from slackening in obtaining legitimately earned property.

Translation: 2. That they should be used lawfully (i.e. he should not to go to the extreme and use them wastefully or withhold them).3. That any due zakat should be paid on them.

In the following Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sheds light about this subject. The Hadith says:

Translation: Narrated Abu-Huraira: The Messenger of Allah said: " Who takes these words to act on them or teach others to act on them? " Abu-Huraira said: " I take them Messenger of Allah! " Abu-Huraira said: ' The Messenger of Allah held me by the hand and counted five things. He said: “ Ward off the prohibitions, so that you would be one of those who worship Allah much. Be satisfied with what Allah gives you, so that you would be the richest among people. Treat you neighbor kindly, so that you would be a believer. Love for other people what you love for yourself, so that you would be a Muslim. And do not laugh much for laughing much deadens the heart. "

Seeing the acts of worship of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ whose past and future misdeeds were forgiven, some companions feared lest they would be deprived of the high ranks in paradise, so they decided to abandon worldly delights totally. When the Messenger of Allah heard about this he forbade them to do so, as the following Hadith states:

Translation: Narrated Anas ibn Malek A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet to ask what he acts of worship performs. When they were informed about this, they considered their worship to be insufficient and said: " How far we are from the Prophet ﷺ and his past and future sins have been forgiven. " Then one of them said: " I will forever offer prayer the whole night through. " The other said: " I will observe fasting for a whole year and I will not break my fasting. " The third said: " I will keep away from women and will never marry. ” Allah's Messenger came to them and said: " Are you the people who said such and such? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you. Yet I observe fasting and break fasting. I offer

Translation: prayer and I also sleep, and I marry women. So he who does not follow my Sunna (legal ways) in religion is not from me (i.e. he is not one of my followers). " (Bukhari)

Translation: Now, let us see what Imam Al-Nawawi compiled in this regard.]

Allah said:

Translation: “ Ta Ha * We have not sent down the Koran unto you (O Muhammad!) that you would be distressed ** (20: 1-2) And

Translation: 15

Translation: " The month of Ramadhan, in which was revealed the Koran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sighted (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhan, i.e. he is present in his homeland and he is not traveling), must observe fasting that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which one did not observe fasting must be made up for) from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. *** (2 ": 185)

Translation: 105. Narrated A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her): ' Once the Prophet came while a woman was sitting with me. He said: " Who is she? " I replied: " She is so and so, and told him about her (excessive) praying. " He said (disapprovingly): " Do (good) deeds that are within your capacity, (without being overtaxed) as Allah does not cease from giving rewards until you cease in doing good deeds. And the most loved acts of worship to Allah are those that are done regularly. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 106. Narrated Anas ibn Malek: ' A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet to ask what he acts of worship performs. When they were informed about this, they considered their worship to be insufficient and said: " How far we are from the Prophet and his past and future sins have been forgiven. " Then one of them said: " I will forever offer prayer the whole night through. " The other said: " I will observe fasting for a whole year and I will not break my fasting. " The third said: " I will keep away from women and will never marry. " Allah's Messenger came to them and said: “ Are you the people who said such and such? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you. Yet I observe fasting and break fasting. I offer prayer and I also sleep, and I marry women. So he who does not follow my Sunna (legal ways) in religion is not from me (i.e. he is not one of my followers). " (Bukhari)

Translation: 107. Narrated Abu-Huraira: ' Allah's Messenger said: " The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hellfire). " They said: " Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Messenger? " He said: " No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah protects me with His Grace and His Mercy. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night. So, cling to moderation that you would reach your destination. So, cling to moderation that you would reach your destination. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 108. Narrated Anas ibn Malek: Once the Prophet entered and saw a rope hanging in between its two pillars. He said: " What is this rope? " They said: " It is a rope for Zyinab who, when she feels tired (while performing the voluntary prayer) she supports herself with it. ” The Prophet said: " Remove the rope. You should offer the prayer (At-Tahajjod prayer) as long as you feel able, and when you get tired, sit down. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 109. Narrated A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her): ' Allah's Messenger said: " If anyone of you felt drowsy while offering the prayer, he should go to bed (sleep) until his slumber is over, for if one is praying while drowsy one does not know whether one is asking for forgiveness or for a bad thing for oneself. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 110. Narrated Anas ibn Malek: ' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was one of those who performed the prayer extremely briefly, yet it was the most perfect prayer. ' (At-Termizi)

Translation: 111. Narrated Abu-Johayfa: ' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made a contract of brother Hud between Salman and Abu Al- Darda'a. When Salman visited Abu Al-Darda'a, he saw Umm Al-Darda'a looking unsightly. He asked her about her state and she replied: " Your brother Abu Al-Darda'a has abandoned the worldly delights. " Abu-Johayfa said: ' When Abu Al-Darda'a_came he prepared food and served it to Salman and said: " Eat for I am fasting. " Salman said: " I will never eat until you eat. " Abu-Johayfah said: ' So they ate. During the night Abu Al-Darda'a rose to perform the voluntary night prayer. Salman said to him: " Sleep. " So he slept. After some time he got up once again to perform the voluntary night prayer, Salman said to him: " Sleep. " So he slept. When it was just before dawn Salman said to him: " Get up now, " and they performed the voluntary night prayer. Then, Salman said to him: " Indeed, your soul has a right on you, your Lord has a right on you, your guest has a right on you, and your spouse has a right on you, so give each one their due right. They came to the Prophet ﷺ and mentioned this to him. The Prophet said: “ Salman has told the truth. " (At-Termizi)

Translation: 112. Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with them): ' Allah's Messenger was informed that I had taken an oath to fast daily and to pray (the whole night) throughout my life (so Allah's Messenger came to me and asked whether it was correct) and I replied: " Let my parents be sacrificed for you! For truly, I have said so. " The Prophet said: " You should not do that. Fast for few days and then stop it for few days, pray, and sleep. Fast three days a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times and that will be equal to one year of fasting. " I replied: " I can bear more than that. ” The Prophet said to me: " Fast one day and give up fasting two days. " I replied: " I can bear more than that. ” The Prophet said: " Then Fast every other day. That is the fasting of Prophet David and that is the best fasting. " I said: " I have the power to fast more than that. " The Prophet said: " There is no better fasting than that. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 113. Hanzala Al-Osayyidi, who was one of the scribes of the Messenger of Allah, said that he passed by Abu-Bakr weeping. Abu-Bakr said to him: “ What is wrong with you Hanzala! " Hanzala said: " Hanzala has committed hypocrisy Abu-Bakr! When we are with the Messenger of Allah he reminds us of Paradise and Hellfire, as if we see them with our own eyes, but when we return to our wives and possessions we forget much. " Abu-Bakr said: " By Allah, we suffer the same. So, let us go to the Messenger of Allah. " We went to the Messenger of Allah. When he saw us he said: " What is wrong with you Hanzala! " Hantzala said: " Hanzala has committed hypocrisy Messenger of Allah! When we are with you Messenger of Allah, you remind us of Paradise and Hellfire, and it is as if we see them with our own eyes, but when we return to our wives and possessions we forget much. " Hanzala said: " The Messenger of Allah said: " Had you clung to the state you leave me, the angels would shake hands with you in your seats, pathways, and on your beds. But Hanzala! One should fulfill his obligations (to give the due rights of Allah to Him, etc.). " (At-Termizi)

Translation: 114. Narrated Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them): ' While the Prophet was delivering a speech, he saw a man standing up, so he asked about that man. They said: " It is Abu-Israel who has vowed that he will stand and never sit down, and he will never come into the shade, nor speak to anybody, and will always fast. The Prophet: " Order him to speak and tell him to come into the shade, and make him sit down, but let him complete his fast. (Bukhari)