Lecture 11

Extremism

Islam is a balance and just religion. It is the most perfect religion that covers all aspects of life of a human being; nothing is left in the Holy Qur’an and in the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad SAW in order to guide our lives either for the benefit in this world or for the rewards in the hereafter.

“Thus have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves….,” (2:143).

Islam opposes any kinds of extremism and calls upon Muslims to exercise moderation.

3 important characteristics of extremism:


Ghuluw (excessiveness): This is usually practices by the Jews and Christians who are being excessive in their religion, and they, including the Muslims alike, have been warned against this kind of extremism,

 “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,” (5:77).

After reaching Muzdalifah—during his last Hajj— the Prophet SAW requested Ibn Abbas to gather some stones for him.Ibn Abbas selected small stones. Upon seeing the stones, the Prophet SAW approved of their size and said: “Yes, with such [stones do stone Satan]. Beware of excessiveness in religion.”


Tanattu’ (transgressing): Our Prophet SAW prohibit tanattu’ as in this hadith: “Ruined were those who indulged intannattu’.” Imam Nawawi said that the people referred to here are those who go beyond the limit of their utterance as well as in their action.

Our Prophet SAW once addressed a person who cursed an alcoholic who had already been punished several times for alcoholism: “Do not curse him; he loves Allah and his Messenger.”
The Prophet SAW also said, “When a Muslim calls another Muslim kafir, then surely one of them is such.”


Tashdid (strictness): Islam does not allow excessiveness and strictness in ibadah by negating the needs in this world, as our Prophet SAW said, “By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you; yet I do fasting and break my fast, I sleep and do night prayers and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my Sunnah is not with me.”

Islam also does not prohibit tayyibat and beautification (zinah), as in

“O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not those who waste. Say: who has forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah which He has produced for His servants, and the things clean and pure which He has provided for sustenance?” (7:31-32).