Hadith #8682

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لَنْ يَهْلِكَ مَنِ اقْتَصَدَ۔

This can be translated as,

One who is moderate will never be ruined.

In this Hadith, the word (iqtasada) "اقْتَصَدَ" is of particular importance. It is derived from the root word (qasada) "قَصَدَ", which means to be moderate, balanced, or to avoid extremes.

The concept of moderation and avoiding extremes is emphasized in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143:

And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.

This verse highlights the importance of being a just and balanced community, which requires moderation in all aspects of life.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hajj, verse 78, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.

This verse emphasizes the importance of striving for Allah with the appropriate level of effort, without going to extremes or burdening oneself unnecessarily.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith highlights the significance of moderation in all aspects of life. It is a reminder that adopting a balanced approach leads to success and prevents ruin. This moderation can be applied to various aspects of our lives, including our beliefs, actions, relationships, and even our consumption of resources.

For example, in matters of faith, moderation encourages us to avoid extremism and fanaticism. It reminds us to follow the middle path, as prescribed by the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This means avoiding both excessive strictness and excessive leniency, and instead adhering to the principles of justice, compassion, and tolerance.

In our actions, moderation encourages us to avoid excesses and extremes. It reminds us to strike a balance between fulfilling our responsibilities and taking care of our own well-being. It teaches us to avoid extravagance and wastefulness, as well as negligence and laziness.

Moderation also plays a crucial role in our relationships with others. It reminds us to be just and fair in our dealings, avoiding both oppression and negligence. It encourages us to be compassionate and forgiving, while also maintaining boundaries and standing up for justice.

Furthermore, moderation extends to our consumption of resources. It reminds us to be mindful of our impact on the environment and to avoid excessive consumption and waste. It encourages us to adopt sustainable practices and to be responsible stewards of the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

By practicing moderation, we can achieve a state of balance and harmony in our lives. We can avoid the pitfalls of extremism and excess, which often lead to ruin and destruction. Instead, we can cultivate a sense of equilibrium, where we are able to navigate the challenges and temptations of this world with wisdom and discernment.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of moderation in all aspects of our lives. It is a call to adopt a balanced approach, avoiding extremes and finding the middle path. By doing so, we can safeguard ourselves from ruin and strive towards success and fulfillment, both in this world and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us all to follow the path of moderation and grant us success in this life and the next.