Moderation
A portion of the Islamic teachings consists of the guiding principles for the lives of the believers. They aim at regulating the physical and spiritual lives of the believers and building personalities on fine and strong foundations. These principles also include etiquettes of eating and drinking, of dressing and manner of living, of walking and talking. The Quran says:
“And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice (31:19)
Islamic manners can be practiced quite easily and others could be made to follow them as they are based on the principles of middle course and moderation.
Moderation is a way of life that avoids excess. Islam recommends moderation in all fields of human existence. It should be followed in the economic, social and other spheres of life. The Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) said:
“The best way is the way of moderation.”
Dignity of Work in Islam
Islam respects all kinds of honest effort and hard work for earning one’s livelihood. A Muslim can undertake any kind of work available in order to provide for himself and his dependents as long as there is no wrong or indecency involved in it. According to Islam the status of honest, working men is not lowered on account of the kind of work they do for a living.
Islam dislikes idleness and inactivity. It does not allow its followers to beg or live on charity. The Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) is reported to have said: “It is better for one of you to take his rope, bring a load of firewood upon his back and sell it, than that he should beg from people, whether they give him anything or reallahfuse him.
He also said: “No one eats better food than that which he earns from the work of his own hands.“
Once, the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) was told about a man who spent all his time in the mosque praying. He asked: “Then who feeds him?” “His brother,” was the reply. “Then his brother is better than he.” This shows that the religion of Islam does not consist only of devotional activities, but also of hard work and reliance upon one’s own efforts.
The Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam), by his own example showed the dignity of hard work and labour. As a boy, he worked as a shepherd and later on, became a trader. He helped in the construction of the Ka’abah. He participated in the building of the mosque in Quba and the mosque of the Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) in Madinah. He also shared in the digging of the ditch for the defence of Madinah in the Battle of Ahzab. He did work in the house and outside the house even when he was the head of the State of Madinah. Two of his companions said that when once they went to see him in his house, he was busy repairing it.
Thus, Islam is a system which makes it clear that a human being’s dignity, as well as the well-being of society are linked with the honest efforts and hard work, not of some, but of all its members.
