Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

1. Introduction

Psychologically, humans have a complex brain structure. We have the Limbic System that manages basic instincts and emotions (the “animalistic realist” side for survival), yet we are also endowed with the Prefrontal Cortex that functions for moral thinking and long-term planning (the “angelic idealist” side). Scientifically, the highest mental health is achieved neither by killing desire completely, nor by indulging it without limits. True happiness emerges in a state of Integration, where reason can direct the energy of desire into achievement. Moderation in character is how our brain creates harmony so the soul does not feel oppressed by false idealism nor fall into the disgrace of base instincts.

Evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith

Allah SWT and His Messenger teach that humans are creatures with the potential for the middle path:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

"And (the servants of the Most Merciful are) those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but hold a medium way between those extremes." (QS. Al-Furqan : 67)

لِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ شِرَّةٌ، وَلِكُلِّ شِرَّةٍ فَتْرَةٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ فَتْرَتُهُ إِلَى سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ أَفْلَحَ

"Every deed has a peak of enthusiasm, and every peak has a period of lull. So whoever’s lull remains upon my Sunnah (moderation), he has succeeded." (HR. Ahmad)

2. Lessons and Messages

Do not feel pure like an angel to the point of belittling people who do wrong, because you still possess desires. Yet do not excuse every bad behavior of yours with “I’m only human” until you live as low as an animal. Moderate character is realizing that we are Servants in Progress. Accept your humanity with humility, but direct it toward purity with full struggle.Recall the story of a Companion of the Prophet who felt he was a hypocrite because when he was with the Prophet he felt utterly pure, yet when he returned home he was engrossed in playing with his children and wife. He felt his “animalistic/human” side was defeating his “angelic” side. The Messenger of Allah SAW calmed him gently, “O Hanzhalah, hour by hour (there is a time for worship, and a time for the world). If you remained constantly in the state you are in when with me, the angels would surely shake your hands in the streets.” He acknowledged our human side with full compassion without letting it run loose.Moderate character is like a horse rider. The horse is desire (animalistic realism) which is strong, and the rider is reason (angelic idealism). If the rider is too harsh, torturing the horse without feeding it, the horse will die and he will never reach his destination. But if the horse is left wild without control, the rider will be thrown into a ravine. A wise traveler is one who cares for his horse well so it is strong enough to gallop toward his noble destination.There was a person so eager to have “angelic” character that he decided not to speak at all for a year to avoid backbiting. One day, a large rock fell on his foot. Because he was committed to being “pure,” he just stayed silent while his face turned red holding back the pain. His friend asked, “Does it hurt?” He remained silent. As his friend was about to leave, he couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “HEY, HELP ME FIRST, THIS PAIN IS REAL, NOT AN ILLUSION!” That’s the humor of it; wanting to be an angel but forgetting that the nerves in your big toe are still human nerves. Have character that is down-to-earth—if it hurts, say so, just don’t curse!

3. Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, moderation in character is the key to becoming a whole human being. We acknowledge our physical needs without becoming their slave, and we pursue the nobility of the soul without becoming arrogant because of it. Let us walk in the middle, for therein lies the beauty that Allah approves."O Allah, adorn our outward selves with gentle character, and fill our inner selves with sincere intentions. Make us servants who are moderate in every condition

والله أعلم بالصواب

الحمد لله رب العالمين

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmaullahi Wabarakatuh.

ِAbu Sultan Al-Qadrie