Piety or Poison – Golden Words of Allah (Episode 45)

“Say, O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion beyond the truth…” Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:77)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All perfect praise is due to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the Lord of the Worlds. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh), is His slave and final Messenger.

Introduction
Moderation in Islam is not merely a recommendation, it is a divine command. Yet, in every age, there arise those who go to extremes in their religious zeal. While they may claim to defend the faith, their harshness, intolerance, and excessiveness often lead to harm, not healing. Religious fanaticism is not supported by the teachings of the Qur’an or the Sunnah. Instead, Islam calls for wisdom, patience, and balance. It is in the middle path that truth shines and hearts are guided.

Qur’anic Perspective and Sunnah on Extremism

Allah warns against extremism, urging Muslims to adopt a path of moderation:

“Do not exceed the limits in your religion…” Surah An-Nisa (4:171)

“Say, O People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion beyond the truth…” Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:77)

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was clear and firm in warning us against extremism: “Beware of exaggeration in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of exaggeration in religion.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3029)

“The religion (of Islam) is easy, and no one burdens himself with religion but that it overwhelms him…”(Sahih al-Bukhari, 39)

The Fruits of Fanaticism

Religious fanaticism, while often disguised as sincere piety, tends to produce bitter fruits that are far removed from the true spirit of Islam. When a person becomes excessively zealous without knowledge, balance, or wisdom, they begin to impose harsh judgments upon others, viewing the world through a narrow, rigid lens. Such individuals frequently declare others misguided or deviant for minor differences, and often display little mercy or understanding. Rather than embodying the Prophet’s noble example of patience and compassion, they become harsh, intolerant, and divisive. This attitude not only creates rifts within families, communities, and the broader Ummah, but also contradicts the Qur’anic command to “call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching” (Surah An-Nahl 16:125).

Over time, fanaticism can escalate into dangerous behaviour—manifesting in vigilante actions, rebellion against legitimate authority, or even violence carried out in the name of “purifying” the religion. Yet the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a model of balance and mercy, not harshness or compulsion. He never forced his way upon people, nor did he alienate others with rigidness. Instead, he warned: “You will not be able to guide the people with your wealth, but let them see cheerfulness and good character from you” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad). When zeal is untamed by knowledge and spiritual maturity, it leads not to righteousness, but to arrogance, cruelty, and disunity—driving people away from Islam rather than inviting them toward it. True religiosity is marked by wisdom, humility, and sincere love for Allah and His creation—not loudness, condemnation, or extremism.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Make things easy and do not make them difficult. Give glad tidings and do not repel people.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Conclusion
Islam is a religion that does not call for harsh rigidity. It is a religion of balance and not extremism. Those who truly follow the Prophet’s way will find that it lies in the middle path, a path of compassion, firmness, and clarity. Fanaticism, on the other hand, blinds a person from the greater wisdom of the Shari’ah and often leads to rebellion against the very values it seeks to uphold. Let us be among those whom Allah described as the “justly balanced nation”, carrying the message of Islam with wisdom and moderation.

And Allah knows best…

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