Avoiding Extremism in Religion
Islam commands us to avoid excess and deficiency (‘ifrat and ‘tefrit’) in every area of human life, striving for a balanced existence. The most steadfast approach in worship and spiritual practice is adherence to the middle path – ‘itidal’. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him – PBUH) warned his community on this matter, saying: “Prefer the consistent middle way, for those who advance and those who fall behind will return to it.” Many individuals new to the spiritual path often impose overly demanding practices on themselves due to initial enthusiasm and fervor. However, the ego cannot bear such a heavy burden for long, and eventually, weariness sets in. Rather, the essence of religion lies in spreading one’s servitude to their Lord throughout the entirety of life and sustaining it in a balanced manner, without fatigue or boredom.
The Most Beloved Deeds
Allah the Exalted does not expect from His servants showy or fleeting displays of worship but rather sincere, steadfast devotion rooted in the heart. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established a clear measure for the value of deeds, stating: “The most beloved acts to Allah are those that continue even if they are small.” This hadith emphasizes quality and consistency over quantity in worship. For interrupted major acts of worship are less beneficial than minor acts performed consistently, which keep the heart alive and are more effective in disciplining the ego. Consistency demonstrates the unwavering connection between a servant and their Lord and that the awareness of servitude remains vibrant at every moment.
The Danger of Abandoning Due to Weariness
Beginning an act of worship and then abandoning it later due to laziness or weariness poses a significant danger from a spiritual perspective. According to a narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her – RA), the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned against this situation, saying: “Whoever abandons a practice they have been consistently performing out of weariness, Allah dislikes it.” The truth behind this serious warning is that if a person begins an act of worship for the sake of Allah and then abandons it due to fleeting desires, it is disrespectful in the Divine Presence. To avoid this threat, every Muslim should choose actions within their capacity and which they can sustain consistently throughout their lives, continuing their journey of servitude with firm and secure steps.