Redefining extremism - a new approach

Who is an extremist Muslim? An extremist person is the one who reaches the highest degree in his views and practices and abides strictly to what he believes in. He'd reflect his ideology in his speech, his thoughts, his actions and even in his appearance. And the person who follows Islam to this extent would thus be an extremist Muslim. 

So, who gets to decide who is an extremist Muslim and who is not? The answer lies within the source of all Islamic teachings i.e. the Qur'an. A Muslim who understands and abides by the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet of Islam is an extremely practising Muslim and represents the teachings of Islam. Not the one who merely claims himself to be!

Let us now go to the book of Allah to gather from the verses, those teachings that should be practised by its followers. These teachings of the Qur'an constitute the building blocks to an ideal practising Muslim. Such a practising Muslim would always refrain from all those that the Qur'an prohibits him from going towards. Let us now have a look at some of the teachings to understand how the Qur'an defines an extremist Muslim. 

Stays humble unconditionally

The Qur'an commands Muslims to stay humble and reflect humility in their words as well as actions. The Qur'an further commands Muslims to not let the other person's attitude quiver them from being humble towards them. Instead, it advises you to maintain peace and carry on with your own work. 

"And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace" [Qur'an 25:63] 

Always truthful

Not only does the Qur'an commands to be truthful but even warns against hiding the truth or even distorting the truth and making it misleading. This is yet another common practice as serious as lying and sometimes even worse. The Qur'an explicitly warns against doing it.

"And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it]." [Qur'an 2:42]

Firm on justice

A follower of the Qur'an should be firmly established on justice at all times and under all circumstances. This is expected of him even in situations where he is required to stand with the oppressed, against his own people or families. Injustice of the slightest degree in not expected from him at all.  

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted." [Qur'an 4:135]
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice." [Qur'an 33:70]

Lowering the gaze

While it may be surprising to many, the Qur'an commands its followers to lower down their gaze in front of the opposite gender and not stare at anyone inappropriately. The Qur'an does not overlook any of the slightest indecency and wrongdoings.  

"Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do." [Qur'an 24:30] 

Accept their mistakes

It is easy to point out the mistakes of others but difficult to accept our own. And even harder to step down and apologize. The Qur'an commands to seek forgiveness for your sins and at the same time, mend your ways and ensure not to return to the same path. 

"And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know." [Qur'an 3:135]

Good towards parents

Showing mercy and humility towards parents is one such command that a Muslim should abide by. The Qur'an instructs to be good towards them and not be harsh in the slightest way in dealing with them, especially in their old age.

"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word." [Qur'an 17:23]

"And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." [Qur'an 17:24]

A loving spouse

Along with parents, emphasis is also laid upon the treatment of spouses. The Qur'an commands them to be kind and caring towards them. The Qur'an further gives beautiful advice to those who look out for flaws in others (here, in their spouse) and says to overlook the flaws and further reminds them to appreciate the goodness in them, for Allah has placed goodness in every person. 

"O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good." [Qur'an 4:19]

Goodness towards others

Goodness does not remain only within the family circle but the Qur'an extends it further. It commands to be good to the poor and the orphans, servants and neighbours, those who are close and those who are far. In fact, even those who travel next to us while on a journey deserves the same goodness that our neighbour deserves. 

"Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful." [Qur'an 4:36]

Helps others selflessly

The goodness that we show and the help that we provide, the Qur'an reminds us not to boast about it. In fact, it even reminds us that all the rewards of the good deeds lie with the Creator and that one must help others selflessly. 
"And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive" [Qur'an 76:8]

[Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude." [Qur'an 76:9]

Reverse-dowry?

With the reminder to not accept any reward from those who we help, the Qur'an also brings down expectations of dowry. Instead, it laid a completely opposite tradition of giving gifts to the bride, from the groom, in abundance! 
"And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease." [Qur'an 4:4]

Does not ridicule

Something as small as mocking and ridiculing others is what a practising Muslim should refrain from. While it is not only disliked, the Qur'an also sheds light on the fact that those we ridicule may be better than us in one thing or the other. And therefore, one must always remember to stay humble. In addition to this, the Qur'an also prohibits calling each other offensive nicknames. 

"O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers." [Qur'an 49:11]

Stays patient

The Qur'an advises to stay patient in difficult times and to turn to the Almighty for His help and assistance. These are those who stick to the right path even under calamity and pray to Allah for His guidance and help.
"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." [Qur'an 2:153]

These are but a handful of a wide range of teachings that cover every aspect of a man's life. These practices constitute the qualities of an extremely practising Muslim. If you feel like a few good teachings lacking here, you may probably be right, that it lacks in here, but it definitely does not lack in the Qur'an. Abiding by these principles brings one closer into the folds of Islam, making them extremely practising Muslim, while their negligence may take one farther away from Islam, making them an extremely ignorant Muslim.