Contemplation and Reflection; Path to Moderation
Imam Ali’s (AS) principles of life were, in all aspects, based on the Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In his social life, he also acted based on the Divine orders and Nabawi Seerah, which can be considered as a perfect example for everyone to follow.
Bakhshali Ghanbari, a Nahj al-Balagha researcher, discussed “social morality based on Nahj al-Balagha” in a series of lectures. Here are excerpts from the third session on “moderation”:
In this session I explain Sermon 16 of Nahj al-Balagha on “moderation”. One of the main lessons and recommendations of Nahj al-Balagha is moderation. It should be observed in five aspects and four relations. Moderation means to be aware of three points: the point of excess (ifrat), the point of lower extremity (tafreet) and the point in between them. If we know the three points and select the third one, it is called moderation.
Imam Ali (AS) says in this sermon: “He who has heaven and hell in his view has no other aim. He, who attempts and acts quickly, succeeds, while the seeker who is slow may also entertain hope, and he who falls short of action faces destruction in Hell.” The Imam describes the three cases in a very short sentence, saying, “On right and left there are misleading paths. Only the middle way is the (right) path which is the Everlasting Book and the traditions of the Prophet. From it the Sunnah has spread out and towards it is the eventual return.”
You may ask how you can distinguish between the right and left or the middle way, or ifrat) and tafreet? I answer the question through an example. There is no generalization about moderation in Nahj al-Balagha. It means that the Imam does not invite us to generalize about moderation and does not say ‘O people! be moderate”.
All schools of thought and religions call us to moderation. But are their ways the middle in theory and practice? Of course if they were so, there was no need to the religion of the end of time and no need to interpretation, analysis and clarification.
Imam Ali (AS) gives an example on how you should be moderate when eating food. He says only eat when you are hungry. When you feel hungry, eat, but do not eat to the point that you are satiated. He continues that also be moderate in life, but you, dear reader, should pay attention to the fact that moderation is not possible without thinking. There is no moderation without thinking.
Hence, in Nahj al-Balagha, the Imam repeats ‘see and observe’. One of the results of this contemplation is thinking and achieving wisdom and moderation. Moderation means that before doing everything, you should think for at least 30 seconds and if you succeed in doing it, you have become moderate.
