The Eleventh Point

For example, he refrained from the excess (ifrātExcess or overindulgence.) and deficiency (tafrītDeficiency or neglect; falling short of the proper measure.) of the rational faculty (quwwa-i aqliyyaThe rational faculty or intellectual power.): from sophistry and manipulative reasoning on the one hand, and from feeble-mindedness and ignorance on the other. Instead, it always operated according to wisdom, the balanced mean. Likewise, his faculty of anger (quwwa-i ghadabiyyaThe faculty of anger or defensive impulse.) was free from both rage and cowardice, the two corrupt extremes, and was consistently governed by sacred courage, the balanced mean of that faculty. Similarly, his faculty of desire (quwwa-i shahawiyyaThe faculty of desire or appetite.) was free from both unbridled desire and apathy, the two corrupt extremes, and was always guided by chastity, the balanced mean of that faculty, at the highest degree of purity.

The same pattern is found throughout his SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims., his natural conduct, and his implementation of the injunctions of the Shariah. He consistently chose the path of istiqāmahSteadfast adherence to Allah’s commands while avoiding excess and deficiency., avoiding the injustice and darkness that arise from both ifrātExcess or overindulgence. and tafrītDeficiency or neglect; falling short of the proper measure., as well as extravagance and wastefulness. Even in his speech, eating, and drinking, he adopted frugality as his guide and kept himself completely free from excess.

Thousands of books have been written explaining these truths in detail. In accordance with the saying, “For the discerning, a mere indication is sufficient,” we shall be content with this single drop from that vast ocean and bring our discussion to a close.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى جَامِعِ مَكَارِمِ اْلاَخْلاَقِ وَمَظْهَرِ سِرِّ وَاِنَّكَ لَعَلٰى خُلُقٍ عَظِيم اَلَّذِى قَالَ: مَنْ تَمَسَّكَ بِسُنَّتِى عِنْدَ فَسَادِ اُمَّتِى فَلَهُ اَجْرُ مِائَةِ شَهِيدO Allah, send Your blessings upon the one who embodies the noblest of character and manifests the secret of the words, ‘Indeed, you are of magnificent character,’ and who said, ‘Whoever holds firmly to my Sunnah at a time when my community becomes corrupted shall receive the reward of one hundred martyrs.

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ ِللّٰهِ الَّذِى هَدٰينَا لِهٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلاَ اَنْ هَدٰينَا اللّٰهُ لَقَدْ جَاۤءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّAnd they will say, ‘All praise is due to Allah, who guided us to this. Had Allah not guided us, we would never have found guidance. Indeed, the messengers of our Lord came with the truth.’ — The Quran 7:43.

سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَٓا اِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَٓا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَلٖيمُ الْحَكٖيمُGlory be to You. We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. – The Koran 2:32