Principle Twenty-Four: Balance, Moderation, and the Censure of Excess

The Quran directs people to balance and moderation and condemns both negligence and excess—overstepping the limits—in every matter.

Allah the Exalted says, “Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence” (Quran 16:90), and He says, “Say: My Lord has commanded justice” (Quran 7:29). Numerous verses enjoin justice and excellence and prohibit their opposites.

Justice in any affair means keeping to its proper bounds: neither exceeding them through excess nor falling short by neglecting part of what is due.

With regard to worshipping Allah, many verses command clinging to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was upon, forbid going beyond that and transgressing the limits, and censure those who fall short.

Thus, the worship that Allah has prescribed is that which combines sincerity to the One worshipped with conformity to the Messenger; if either of the two—or both—is absent, the act is invalid.

Concerning the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them all), Allah has commanded moderation: to believe in them, to love them—placing that love above one’s love for all creation—to revere them, follow them, and acknowledge the ranks and stations with which Allah has honored them. He has forbidden, in many verses, excessive veneration whereby they are elevated beyond the place Allah assigned to them or are granted any of the exclusive rights of Allah that no one shares with Him. Likewise, He has forbidden falling short of their due by denying them, withholding love and reverence, or failing to follow them. He censured those who exaggerated concerning them, such as the Christians with respect to Jesus, just as He condemned those who were harsh toward them, such as the Jews in what they said about Jesus; and He condemned those who distinguish between them, believing