Right

We often are told what to do. Some people mention that we should focus on others and not worry about ourselves in the least, which is very difficult for many. Some people say that we must stop talking, but is this even possible? Others mention that we must remove certain “evils” from our lives- and of course THEY have deemed these items “evil,” be they television, internet, alcohol, meat, fat, newspapers, etc; is it sensible to completely remove many aspects of our lives from them? Still others mention that we must emulate such and such historical figure or follow such and such ideals. This is all fine and acceptable, but is it right?

Example

What does is mean to be right? This is up to debate. Let's say two friends are walking together to an exam. One of them wants to start a conversation to get their minds off the exam. The other wants to keep quiet and think about the material in order to review key points. Who is right? One could argue either way, but each of the two would of course claim that they were right.

Maybe that is an unclear example. Let us pretend that there are three people debating an issue. Each of them thinks that they are correct. One claims that writing should be focused on the most in teaching foreign language to adults, for this is the best way to perfect style and grammar. The second claims that reading is the most important item, for it is the greatest way to increase vocabulary. The third claims that speaking is the most important, because if one can't speak, they can't use the language well. They each have their point. Who is right? Is that not an opinionated question?

Let us try a third time, maybe we'll find an answer. Five people are playing football and see a twenty dollar bill on the floor. Of course, not all five see it simultaneously. The one closest to it claims it for himself. Two others claim that they noticed it earlier but weren't sure, so they should split it between them. A fourth notes that he lost twenty dollars three days earlier, but wasn't sure whether it was at the park or at home, so he should get it, as he has the most right to claim any money found. The last one claims that they should all split it, for they are all there together and none of them would have come if not as a group. Who is right? Maybe there is no definition of being “right”- it is a relative judgment, indeed.

And your point is?...

So, what about these people who tell us to focus on others and not worry about ourselves in the least. This could be right for some, wrong for others. So, it should be applied on a relative scale- the middle being the greatest. Indeed moderation is the best, for it avoids extremes and allows one to do what is in their own heart, what they love. Maybe this is what it means to be right- to do what is the best for you based on your life and your loves! Eureka.

Of course, this hypothesis must be tested. What about talking? Can we stop talking? Of course not, it is in our social nature that no sane person can deny. But do we always talk? Absolutely not. We are somewhere in the middle, and we all know intrinsically when we have spoken too much or said what ought not to have been said: you could say that it's in our genes! Amazing, indeed. So, the notion of moderation is natural- but is it right?

The “evils” in our lives. Television is full of advertisement, violence, and lies- no one can deny this. But what about the good programs- the documentaries, the real news, the informative programs, and those programs that we personally attain a love of, based on true necessity and not simply wasting or indulging in it. So, the question is one of ability: there is more evil in the television than good, so one should moderate and slowly wean themselves off of the useless and replace it with what truly pleases them, be it family, reading, playing sports, and so on. Many people will be unable to keep away from the evils of the television, but for their own good, they may decide simply to not just remove it, but replace it with what is better- that is indeed right.

Is alcohol not the same- a slow weaning off of it's bad effects and replacement of this with what is good, be it exercise, studying, chatting with friends and family, and so on- would be of much benefit to society. The internet is the same way- a slow weaning off of what leads to the bad, such as advertisements (removable in many web browsers, such as Maxthon or Firefox), dirty websites (removable by using filter programs such as NetNanny or SafeEyes), and so on, be of great use to society and would let us live our lives in true harmony and bliss: who dares claim that this is not right?

Newspapers- they can be wasteful, so people could just learn to wean themselves off of the useless and unwanted by selecting the sections they want; the internet could be used to streamline this process, which is indeed what has started to happen. Moderation is the key, and it is natural- it must therefore be right. This could easily be applied to all aspects of our lives, such as food consumption, especially foods that are becoming controversial due to our sedentary lifestyles (which are diametrical opposites of moderate), such as fast foods, fatty foods, or meat. Moderation is right.

Hold on just one minute

What about the notion of following others? Be they current leaders, historical figures, or community values. These should be also followed in moderation, as much as we can bear, or am I wrong? If one wants to emulate these figures to the tee, to the point of adulation, it must be based on adoration, or else the person will be unable to apply everything those others applied. Truthfulness ought to be the basis, but it can be compromised in times of serious difficulty, such as war. Respect should always be offered, but can be retracted when necessary, such as when reprimanding the unjust. Sleep can be attained, but should be lessened at times so as to prevent laziness. Inter-gender relations are necessary, but need to be moderated so as not to be taken for granted. Each of these subjects and many more proves with just a little thought that it is necessary to moderate everything in our lives. That is indeed what is right.

And that is the way of Islam- the way of moderation. So, is Islam right?