Moderation is that one maintains a middle course between extremism and negligence, because it is required from the person in all his circumstances to take a middle course between extremism and neglect. Allaah, the Most High, says, “And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” In this manner, the person should or rather must act moderately in acts of obedience. So you should not burden yourself with what you cannot bear because when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard about the three individuals, one of whom said, “Indeed, I will not wed women,” and the second said, “I will observe fasting and never break it,” and the third said, “I will stand up in prayer at night and will not sleep”; he (alayhi salātu wa salaam) delivered a speech in which he said, “What is the matter with those who say such and such, indeed I pray at night and sleep, I observe fasting and break it, and I wed women? For whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”

This is a summary of Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah’s Muqaddamah Fi Usool Tafseer (Introduction to the Principles of Tafsir). It discusses the principles of Tafseer that one should know before studying the Tafseer of the Quran.

Allah Most High Said, “And whatever the Messenger has given you, take it; and what he has forbidden you, refrain from it.” [Al-Hashr (59):7]

The Prophet said, “I have not left out anything of which Allah, The Most High has Commanded you with except I have apprised you of it. Likewise, I have not left out anything of which Allah has Prohibited you from it, except I have apprised you of it…” [Al Bayhaqi, 7/76 & others]

Together with the Qur’an, the Sunnah is the pivotal foundation and primary source of the Islamic faith. Following both of them is mandated by Allah Himself and obligated upon Muslims to adhere and live accordingly. Muslim theology is established upon them and remains defective and incomplete should either be forsaken for they both explain and interpret each other.

During his time, Imam al-Suyuṭi felt a genuine need to pen this compelling book in confuting those who either rejected the Sunnah altogether or did not grant it the status and respect it deserves in the religion. He primarily compiled from the works of Imam Al-Bayhaqi elucidating the position of Imam Shafi’i, and firmly laid out the arguments supporting the Sunnah of the Prophet by outlining its critical importance, its authority, and implication to one’s life.

Salvation, therefore, lies in embracing the Sunnah fully, for indeed it is the key to facilitating our worldly lives and thereafter, unlocking the doors of Paradise, as Shadh ibn Yaḥya said perfectly, “There is no better way to Paradise than the way of those who have followed the Sunnah.”