Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—said in his great work, Relief for the Distressed from the Snares of Satan: “One of his stratagems—that is, Satan’s; may Allah protect us and you from him—is that he examines the soul until he determines which of two forces predominates within it: the force of initiative and courage, or that of withdrawal, reluctance, and weakness. If he finds that weakness and reluctance predominate, he begins discouraging the person, weakening his resolve and will to fulfill what he has been commanded, and making it seem burdensome to him. He then makes it easy for him to abandon it, until he forsakes it altogether or falls short in it and becomes negligent. But if he finds that initiative and lofty aspiration predominate, he begins diminishing the prescribed act in his eyes and persuading him that it is insufficient and must be accompanied by excess and addition. Thus, he makes the first type fall short and the second go beyond bounds. … He has waylaid most people—with only a very few exceptions—in these two valleys: the valley of deficiency and the valley of excess and transgression. Very few indeed remain steadfast upon the path followed by the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—and his Companions. …”1.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—then went on at length, giving examples of this, before saying: “This is an exceedingly broad subject; were we to pursue it fully, it would take us very far.”2.

It is authentically reported that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Be moderate, be moderate, and you will reach your goal.”3, meaning that you must observe moderation in all matters, in both words and deeds. Moderation is the middle way between the two extremes. It is also authentically reported that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, as recorded in the Musnad and elsewhere: “You must follow a moderate course, for whoever contends with the religion will be overcome by it.”4, and Ibn