Samar Yahya
Moderation is a virtue. We can talk about moderation in relation to various aspects of life.
Moderation is always connected to creating balance in our life. It means you do not do the same thing all the time. Doing schoolwork all the time or playing all the time is not being moderate. Being moderate is studying enough and playing enough, working enough and resting enough. Moderation is stopping before you go overboard. It is using self-discipline to keep away from overdoing.
Moderation is needed when it comes to health, food intake, spending and saving money, dealing with others, even in pampering our kids and giving in to their wishes.
Too little of something is as immoderate as too much. People who talk too much can be disruptive. People who do not talk much tend to be ignored, and the downside to that is during important discussions, their viewpoint is neglected even though they may have some very valid points.
Moderation is what keeps us from being blown about in the wind of our desires. Moderation simply means avoiding extremes.
We can say that moderation in our life is like a scale or a sensor that helps us to always seek the middle way, and to live a good life. Again, moderation is the key to a balanced life.
If you are moderate in exercise this moderation would be reflected on your health, as when you exercise moderately you give your body a workout that will keep it healthy for many years.
In relation to food intake, any food can be considered healthy if it is eaten in moderation. If you are moderate you can enjoy the food you love without creating any risks for your health. Food is wonderful, and necessary to live. However, too much food will make you overweight and unhealthy. Likewise, too little food will leave you malnourished and overly thin.
When it comes to finances, financial planning and moderation in spending will lead to financial stability and balance.
Being moderate in shopping, and purchasing what you need and not necessarily what you want makes you a wise consumer. You do not follow those who always think that “the more, the better”.
Of course you need sleep, but again, in moderation. Either too much or too little could be harmful to your health, so you must make sure you get the rest you need without going overboard.
Once a companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that he fasts all day, every day, and he stands in prayer all night and barely gets enough sleep.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave (it) at other times. Stand up for prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you, and your wife has a right over you.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127]
Moderation brings your life in balance. That is one of the most important values of life. With moderation you can take pleasure in some joys in life, and you can also discipline yourself to perform what is good for your health, spirituality, and general well-being. Practice balance in your life, in all areas of your life: entertainment, exercise, rest, work, family, fun, and seriousness.
People always say that too much of a good thing is not good after all. This is true of most everything in life.
We need to think of moderation in how we spend our money, as is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
{And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).} [Chapter 25, verse 67]
If you are a moderate person, you will not fall into one of these two traps. One is to put such hard rules for yourself that you end up breaking them, or the second is to never follow any rule. We always meet people of those two types and simply they are keen to break rules and live in disorganization.
An example of the first type is someone who needs to lose a few kilograms. Rather than follow a moderate diet, he cuts out all refined sugar from the diet, completely. Probably, he will start to have a strong craving for sweets and will ruin his diet.
The second type is someone who never follows a rule; he/she may eat and sleep excessively, and never exercise.
Moderation is not always easy but it is vital for balanced living. Moderation requires work and will power and it is a constant process of self-growth.
