Dr. Athir Kareem Al-Hasnawi
Lecturer in the Department of Quranic Sciences and Islamic Education
College of Education, Al-Mustaqbal University
29/07/2025
Keywords:
Balance – Emotion – Culture – The Holy Qur’an – The Prophetic Sunnah – Awareness
Introduction:
The maturity of societies is measured not only by their economic advancement or technological capabilities, but also by their ability to control emotions and regulate behavior. In Arab societies, the absence of a culture of balance is clearly evident in daily behaviors: in celebrations, discussions, expression of opinions, the practice of rituals, and even in emotional and professional life.
This absence is met with an overwhelming presence of chaos, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness in attitudes and expression—where people are sometimes rewarded for shouting rather than reasoning, for violence rather than argument. This paper, therefore, seeks to shed light on the importance of building a culture of balance as an ethical, educational, and social value.
First: The Concept of a Culture of Balance
A culture of balance is conscious behavior that stems from:
Self-control in the face of provocation, calmness in success or failure, rationality in response to events, and emotional moderation.
It involves the ability to distinguish between what should and should not be said or done.
Balance is not apathy or weakness, but the height of intellectual and psychological strength.
Second: Manifestations of the Absence of Balance in the Arab Context
1. Excessive and loud celebrations – during media appearances, goals in sports, weddings, or student graduations.
2. Violent objection to authorities or opinions – whether in stadiums, televised debates, or daily conversations.
3. Turning rituals into performances – excessive noise, filming, and over-decoration of religious and social occasions.
4. Heated discussions turning into disputes or estrangement – because each party seeks to impose their opinion rather than present it.
5. Inability to accept loss, criticism, or disagreement – as if every disagreement is a personal insult.
Third: Causes of the Absence of a Culture of Balance
1. An emotionally reactive educational environment
Children are rewarded when they cry or scream, not when they think calmly.
Families applaud quick responses, not thoughtful dialogue.
2. Reckless public role models
The football player who curses becomes a role model.
The loud media figure gains fame.
The extremist preacher is seen as "zealous."
3. Emotion-driven public discourse
Religion is presented as an emotional state, not as moral and rational awareness.
Politics is practiced through agitation, not education.
Media provokes rather than enlightens.
4. Lack of education on reasoning and dialogue
Education is about memorization, not teaching critical thinking or managing disagreement.
Students are trained to succeed, but not to accept failure.
Fourth: Characteristics of a Balanced Person
1. Calm in expression but unwavering in truth.
2. Celebrates moderately, viewing achievement as a responsibility, not just a joy.
3. Accepts criticism and sees it as an opportunity to grow.
4. Neither overly present nor absent—walks the middle path.
5. Practices rituals with meaning, not mere appearance.
Fifth: How to Restore Balance in Our Lives
1. Build awareness through education, not indoctrination
Teach children to differentiate between legitimate and impulsive anger.
2. Showcase balanced role models in media and education
The one who thinks more is more truthful, not the one who yells louder.
3. Re-establish religious and social concepts
Worship is not just "performance" but tranquility.
Patriotism is not loud shouting, but sincere behavior.
4. Promote a culture of argument over violence
By teaching the skills of dialogue, negotiation, and logical discussion.
Examples of Balance in the Qur’an and the Sunnah
First: Qur’anic Verses Promoting Balance
1. Balance in speech, behavior, and emotion:
“Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better.”
(Qur’an, Fussilat 41:34)
– A call to control anger and respond to wrongdoing with calm and virtue.
2. Balance in anger and forgiveness:
“Those who restrain anger and who pardon the people.”
(Qur’an, Al-Imran 3:134)
– A Qur’anic education in managing emotions and surpassing impulsive reactions.
3. Balance in spending and avoiding financial chaos:
“Do not waste [resources] extravagantly. Verily, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.”
(Qur’an, Al-Isra 17:26–27)
– A critique of impulsive financial behavior and a call for moderation.
4. Balance in all aspects of life – no excess or deficiency:
“And thus We have made you a just [balanced] nation.”
(Qur’an, Al-Baqarah 2:143)
– Moderation here reflects social, psychological, and political balance.
5. Warning against impulsiveness and haste:
“Indeed, man is ever hasty.”
(Qur’an, Al-Isra 17:11)
– A recognition of human nature and a subtle encouragement to resist it with deliberation.
Second: Prophetic Traditions Encouraging Balance and Self-Control
1. True strength lies in self-restraint:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The strong man is not the one who can wrestle, but the one who controls himself when angry.”
– Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 6114)
– Sahih Muslim (Hadith No. 2609)
2. A repeated prohibition against anger:
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ: “Advise me.”
He replied: “Do not get angry.” Repeatedly he said: “Do not get angry.”
– Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 6116)
3. Deliberation is from God; haste is from Satan:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Deliberation is from Allah, and haste is from Shaytan.”
– Al-Kafi, Al-Kulayni: 313
– Shu’ab al-Iman, al-Bayhaqi (Hadith No. 9313)
4. Simplicity and moderation in religion:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Verily, the religion is easy. No one makes it hard except that it overwhelms him. So be moderate, seek closeness, and be hopeful...”
– Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 39)
5. Emotional balance in love and hate:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Love your beloved moderately, for he might become your enemy someday; and hate your enemy moderately, for he might become your beloved someday.”
– Bihar al-Anwar, Al-Majlisi: 6/121
– Jami’ al-Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 1997)
Conclusion
Balance is not a moral luxury; it is a civilizational foundation essential for rescuing the Arab individual from superficiality, impulsiveness, and social noise.
If we wish to rise as societies, we must rebuild the human being from within—planting calm strength rather than loud reactions, making balance a sign of refinement, not weakness; of power, not passivity.
The theme is deeply rooted in:
Qur’anic guidance toward moderation and equilibrium.
Balance in speech, action, and emotion.
Self-control and awareness of consequences.
Resisting haste and embracing deliberation in judgment and response.
Sources and References
1. The Holy Qur’an
2. Sahih al-Bukhari – Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari
3. Sahih Muslim – Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj
4. Jami’ al-Tirmidhi – Muhammad ibn ‘Isa al-Tirmidhi
5. Al-Kafi – Al-Kulayni
6. Bihar al-Anwar – Al-Majlisi
7. Sahih al-Jami’ – Al-Albani
8. Muhammad ‘Imara, Moderation in the Qur’an and the Sunnah
9. Mohammed Abed Al-Jabri, The Formation of Arab Reason
10. Abdul Karim Bakkar, Awareness and Education
Al-Mustaqbal University – Ranked First Among Private Universities.