Islam stresses moderation in everything and commands its followers eschew all extravagances in any direction. It takes deep interest in the spiritual as well as the material well-being of man. It commands its followers to prepare themselves for the Hereafter while at the same time lawfully enjoying their portion of life as long as they do not transgress the limits set by Allah.

The Qur’an says:

“Seek, with [the wealth] which Allah has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this world.” (Surah Al-Qasas:77)

‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), son of Abu Talib, the fourth rightly guided caliph, said:

“Work for your life as though you are going to live forever, and work for your Hereafter as though you are going to die tomorrow.”

Once the prayers are performed, the believers are encouraged to go about their business:

“And when the prayer is finished, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah frequently that you may prosper.”  (Surah Ash-Shu'ara':10)

The Islamic course is one of equitable and realistic moderation and the Qur’an calls Muslims a just nation:

“Thus have we made of you a just (and the best) nation, justly balanced.” (Surah Al-Baqarah:143)

Unlike other religions and ideologies, Islam does not stress the spiritual at the expense of the material, or vice versa.

Rather, it brings both of them into harmony. Islam commends moderation while observing our religious duties and strongly condemns going to the extremes in this respect. Following the middle course in worship is the best alternative as well as the natural way of discharging our duties towards our Creator.

Islam prohibits us from overburdening ourselves with duties that are bound to put us off the religion altogether.

It requires us to discharge our duties within our capacity, and to the best of our ability. The Qur’an says:

“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.” (Surah Al-Baqarah:185)

“On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.” (Surah Al-Baqarah:286)

‘Abdullah bin Jabir (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “I used to offer all the prayers behind the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and I noticed that his prayer was of moderate length and his sermon, too, was of moderate length.” (Reported by  Muslim)

Al-Bukhari and Muslim report that, three people came to the house of Prophet (Peace be upon him) to inquire about his way of worship.

When they were informed thereof, they considered their own worship insignificant and said, “We are no way near the way of offering his worship while Allah forgiven his past and future sins.” One of them said, “I will engage in devotion all night long.” Another said, “I will fast every single day and I will not miss a day without fasting.” The third one said, “I will keep away from women and I will never get married.” When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was informed of what they had said, he called them and said to them, “By Allah! I fear Allah more than all of you, and I am the most dutiful of all of you to Him. But I sometimes fast and sometimes I don’t; I perform Salat [Prayer] for a part of the night and sleep, and I marry women. So whoever turns away from my way [of life] is not of me.”

Islam commands its followers to take a middle course between niggardliness and extravagance, be it in their ordinary spending or in charity. They should strike a perfectly just measure between the two extremes. The Qur’an says:

“And let not your hand be tied [like a niggard’s] to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach [like a spendthrift’s], lest you become blameworthy and destitute.” (Surah Al-Isra': 29)

The Qur’an describes the devoted slaves of Allah as those who:

“When they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium [way] between those [extremes].” (Surah Al-Furqan: 67)

The Qur’an even calls spendthrifts “brothers of Satan” because of their foolishness. The Satan fell by his ingratitude to Allah, so those who misuse or squander Allah’s gifts are also ungrateful to his Lord.” (Surah Al-Isra': 26-7)

Committing excess and waste is strictly forbidden: 

“Waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” (Surah Al-An’am: 141)

“Eat and drink, but waste not, for Allah loves not the wasters.” (Surah Al-A’raf: 31)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) says:

“The children of Adam have not filled a ‘vessel’ worse than their stomachs. A few morsels would be sufficient for them to keep soul and body together. If they have to, then they should allow a third for their food, a third for their drink and a third for easy breathing.” (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

The Qur’an condemns the Jews and the Christians because of the excesses they had committed in their religion:

“O people of the Book! Do not exceed the limits set in your religion, nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Jesus Christ, the son of Mary  was [no more than] a Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not ‘Three [Trinity]’! Cases! It is better for you. For Allah is One God, glory be to Him. Far exalted is He above having a son. To Him belong all that is in the heavens and in the earth. And sufficient is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.” (Surah An-Nisa’: 171).