7.1, Moderation and Constancy in Worship

In the name of Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, who says in the Qur’an, “Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur'an unto you (O Muhammad (SAW)) to cause you distress.” (20:1, 2)

In another place, Allah says, “Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.” (2:185)

Balance, moderation and constancy; these are concepts that we have great difficulty understanding. We struggle to strike that balance between our Dunya and our Aakhirah; we find ourselves jumping from one extreme to another; when we need something we are plentiful in our prayers, but at other times we are neglectful; and so on. So how do we find this balance, moderation and constancy? As with all matters, we refer to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW) for our answer.

Aishah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) came in when a woman was sitting beside me. He asked me, “Who is she?” I said: “She is the one whose performance of Salah (prayer) has become the talk of the town.” Addressing her, he (SAW) said, “(What is this!) You are required to take upon yourselves only what you can carry out easily. By Allah, Allah does not withhold His Mercy and forgiveness of you until you neglect and give up (good works). Allah likes the deeds best which a worshipper can carry out constantly.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith prohibits acts of worship that are beyond our capacity lest we get tired of them and stop them altogether. Of course this is in reference to voluntary additional worship and does not include the five daily compulsory prayers. In this respect, i.e. additional worship, we should be moderate but constant. Allah likes that good action which is done regularly, even if it is a small one.

This is a principle that not only helps in a religious sense but is easily applicable to other spheres of life. For example, someone who doesn’t study throughout the academic year will have a lot of sleepless nights playing catch-up in the days coming up to the exams. On the other hand, someone who keeps up to date with lectures and courseworks, and works constantly throughout the year will sleep confidently in the days coming up to the exams.

That is constancy. What about balance? Anas (RA) reported: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (SAW) to inquire about the worship of the Prophet (SAW). When they were informed, they considered their worship insignificant and said: “Where are we in comparison with the Prophet (SAW) while Allah has forgiven his past sins and future sins.” One of them said: “As for me, I shall offer Salah all night long.” Another said: “I shall observe Saum (fasting) continuously and shall not break it.” Another said: “I shall abstain from women and shall never marry.” The Prophet (SAW) came to them and said, “Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it; perform Salah and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

In following the Prophet’s (SAW) footsteps do we find the right balance: Taking wives; sleeping a part of the night and rising in prayer for a part of the night; observing fast on some days and breaking fast; and so on. There is neither virtue nor reward in deviating from this religion. All the blessing and rewards lie only in the obedience and following of the conduct of the Prophet (SAW); a way of life which is simple and clear for the one who seeks it.

What about moderation? Ibn Mas`ud (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the Faith.” He repeated this three times. (Muslim)

Also, Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, “The religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him. So, follow a middle course (in worship); if you can't do this, do something near to it and give glad tidings and seek help (of Allah) at morn and at dusk and some part of the night.” (Bukhari)

These two Hadith show disgust against exercises and practices which deviate from the conduct of the Prophet (SAW); such as making forbidden for oneself that which has not been forbidden by the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), and making compulsory upon oneself that which has not been made compulsory by the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Those who insist on such unnecessary hardship will be overpowered and ruined.