（5th February 2010）

Khutbah Jummah（ ）
Basic Characteristics of Islam – Part 3 (Moderation in all spheres of life)

All praise is due to Allah and we seek help and guidance with Him. We seek refuge in Him from the evil
whisperings of our hearts and the iniquities we do by our hands. Whoever Allah guides, there is none who can
mislead him and whoever Allah decides to leave straying, he would never find a protecting guide the like of Allah.
Praise is to Allah, who has guided us to this path of Al-Islam. We would not have been rightly guided if He has not
guided us. Praise is to Him who has sent our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a mercy to the entire worlds (men and
jinn). Praise is to the One who has made the Ummah of Muhammad (PBUH) a middle-course justly balanced
Ummah that will spread good and justice all over the world. O servants of Allah, fear Allah as He should be feared
and do not die except being Muslims.
In continuation of the topic on the basic characteristics of Islamic path, today, the khutbah also addresses the
“Moderateness nature of the Islamic path”. Among the basic characteristics of Islamic nation is moderation and that
is why it is the best nation. Islam stresses moderation in everything and commands its followers to eschew all
excesses in all ramifications. It takes deep interest in the spiritual as well as the material well-being of man. It
balanced between individualism and collectivism. It calls for ideals considering the reality of the human nature. It
commands its followers to prepare themselves for the hereafter while at the same time lawfully enjoying their portion
of life as well as they should not transgress the limit set by Allah. That is why Allah calls Muslims as a Just nation in
the Qur’aan in surat Baqarah:
“Thus have we made of you An Ummat justly balanced. (the best nation)…” (S.2: V.143)
And balance here means to give every portion its right without excesses or laxities.
Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat Alrahman:
“And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance “ “That you not transgress within the balance. “ “And
establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.” (S.55 V.7—9)
The moderation in Islam cover all aspects of Muslim`s life, worshiping, laws, and manners.
Moderation of Islam in worship: Unlike other religions and ideologies, Islam does not stress the spiritual at the
expense of the material, or vice versa. Rather it brings both of them into a single harmonious entity. Islam
commends moderation while observing our religious duties and strongly condemns going to the extremes in this
respect. Islam prohibited Monasticism, Deprivation, and social isolation, at the same time it does not agree to those
who become busy in the worldly life and forget the rights of Allah. Many verses of the Qur’aan strongly commend
about this balance between material and spiritual. Allah, reminding us by our duties towards Him during our trade,
business and works,
Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat An-Nur:
“men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah…” (S.24 V.37)
And reminding ourselves for our rights after worshiping. Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat Al-Jumu’a:
“And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah…” (S.62
V.10)
Also Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) said: “By Allah, among you, I fear Allah the most and I know Him the best, but I
fast, but not every day; and I pray at night, but not all nights; and I marry women; whoever does not wish to follow
my way, he is not from us“ (Bokhari & Muslim after Anas)
Moderation of Islam in laws: Islamic law is moderate in its social system. Unlike other worldly ideologies,
Islamic law can make balance in between individualism and collectivisms. Socialism and communism are extreme
in the right of the individual towards society. Capitalism and liberalism are extreme in the right of the individual.
They give absolute freedom for the individual without any conditions and restriction ignoring the right of the society.
Islamic law emphasize on the existence of the personal-entity and consider that personal is responsible for his own act
in front of Allah, himself and Society. Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat Bani Isra-iil and surat Saffat:
“…Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.” (S.17 V.36)
“And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned" (S.37 V.24)
Then Islamic laws guarantee the rights of Muslims in all aspects of his life.
His right for living and his right to freedom are said in the Qur’aan in surat Baqarah:
“And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [people] of understanding,…” (S.2 V.179)
“There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the
wrong.…” (S.2 V.256)
And his right to knowledge is said in the Qur’aan in surat Zumar:
“…Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? …"” (S.39 V.9)
And his right to equality and his right to self-dignity are said in the Qur’aan in surat Al-Hujurat:
“…Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you….” (S.49
V.13)
“Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former)…” (S.49
V.11)
All these things are basic rights for the humanity was given by Allah. It is prohibited for anyone to take or tamper
from them.
Then the Qur’aan told us in many versus about the responsibility of the individual towards his society.
Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat Tauba:
"The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is
wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenge…r" (S.9 V.71)
The prophet likens the responsibility of the individual to society and that of the community towards the individual to
the like of the people on board a ship. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet
(PBUH) said, "The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allah and that of the man who
transgresses them is like the people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of them are in its lower deck
and some of them in its upper (deck). Those who are in its lower (deck), when they require water, go to the
occupants of the upper deck, and say to them : `If we make a hole in the our part of the ship (bottom of the ship), we
shall not harm you.' If they (the occupants of the upper deck) leave them to carry out their design they all will be
drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan), all of them will remain safe" (Al-Bukhari)
Moderation in morals, traditions, and emotions:
Allah says in the Qur’aan in surat Furqan and surat Luqman:
"Those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just balance between those
extremes..” (S.25 V.67)
"And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loves not the
arrogant boaster. “ “And be moderate in your pace, and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt
is the braying of the ass." (S.31 V.18--19)
In all things Muslim should be moderate. Do not go the pace, and do not be stationary or slow. Do not be talkative
and do not be silent. Do not be loud and do not be timid or half-hearted. Do not be too confident, and do not be
cowed down.

Let us pray Allah S.W.T. that He give us Taufiq to act upon the teachings of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.
May Allah save us from Miseliness.
May Allah give us ability and Taufiq to spend sincerely in the path of Allah.
O! Allaah use us for upholding the Name of Allah and spreading Islam in Japan and may guidance of Islamic faith
prevail in Japan and in the world. Aameen.