The True Spirit of Islam: Al-Hanifiyyah Al-Samhah — The Path to Salvation from Extremism
By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
25 October 2025
The profound meaning of the great and blessed dignity and delicacy of the religion of Islam that we speak of is encompassed in Al-Hanifiyyah Al-Samhah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"I was sent with Al-Hanifiyyah Al-Samhah." (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal 22291)
This means: I was sent on the straight path which is characterized by gentleness and tolerance. Here, Al-Hanifiyyah means the straight path, steadfastness, and inclination towards the truth while turning away from crookedness. And Al-Samhah means ease, softness, and broad-mindedness.
The beauty of the eloquence of the Arabic language lies in its use of positive and hopeful words instead of negative ones; for example, Al-Hanif originally means "crookedness" or "inclination" in classical lexicons, but its positive usage in the context of religion refers to steadfastness and inclination towards the truth. Lexicographers like Ibn Manzur and Al-Jawhari have explained that Al-Hanif is one who is upright and firm, one who remains steadfast on the path of Islam without any place for harshness or extremism.
The True Message of Religion: Ease and Mercy
Islam is a religion that fully considers human nature and capacity. Allah Almighty says:
"Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear." [Al-Baqarah: 286]
Indeed, Allah does not place a burden on anyone greater than their ability. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Indeed, religion is easy. Whoever overburdens himself in religion will not be able to continue in that way. So, you should compete in doing good deeds, adopt moderation, be cheerful, and worship Allah in the mornings and evenings and at night." [Sahih al-Bukhari - 39]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) clearly explained that the foundation of Islam is based on providing ease and convenience in every matter. This ease becomes especially evident when a person faces weakness or hardship. The reality is that excessive harshness and severe self-discipline in religious practices often lead to helplessness and abandonment of those practices altogether.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged adopting moderation and balance so that one neither neglects the fulfilment of Islamic obligations nor imposes such harsh burdens on oneself that become unbearable. If someone cannot perform at the highest level, they should at least strive to reach the nearest attainable level.
Finally, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings to the person who, despite being unable to perform perfect deeds, continues to do some deeds consistently. This is because Allah values the actions according to a person’s capacity and never wastes their intention and effort. Therefore, doing less but with perseverance brings greater reward.
Religion is easy, and one should avoid harshness because severity leads to defeat. This is precisely what distinguishes Islam from extremism. Those who clothe religion in narrow-mindedness, rigidity, and harshness are unaware of Islam’s true spirit. Islam teaches us flexibility in worship—for example, it permits breaking the fast during travel or illness, allows ease in the number of prayer units, and treats both obligatory and voluntary acts of worship with leniency.
Condemnation of Extremism and the Need for Reform
Nowadays, some groups use religion as a tool for extremism, considering themselves the sole representatives of truth, while oppressing others. They abandon kindness and good conduct and adopt a path of severity and fanaticism. This behaviour not only contradicts the teachings of Islam but also goes against human nature.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised his community:
"Give glad tidings and do not repel; make things easy and do not make them difficult." (Sunan Abi Dawood: 4387)
This means: spread good news, do not frighten people; create ease, do not create hardship. This hadith is a crucial principle to eliminate the poison of extremism.
When strictness increases in any religion, it often leads to hatred, sectarianism, and rebellion. The Holy Quran also condemns those who adopt extremism in the name of asceticism and self-denial:
(And [as for] the monks, they invented [the rule of] monasticism, which We did not prescribe for them, but [they did so] seeking the approval of Allah...[Al-Hadid: 27]
Here, "Ruhbaniah" refers to a form of harsh self-discipline and punishment that deviates from Islam, which Islam explicitly rejects.
Therefore, avoiding extremism, embracing the true spirit of religion, and dealing with people with kindness and love is the responsibility of every believer.
Allah’s Mercy and Compassion for Humanity
A shining example of the mercy and gentleness of Islamic law is evident in the incident when a person made a mistake while fasting and came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to repent. The Prophet (peace be upon him) neither harshly rebuked him nor caused him any distress. Instead, he provided ease for him and even gave charity to help feed others on his behalf:
"Feed your family." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1384)
This is the beauty of the religion—it understands human weaknesses, takes into account the needs of the self, and avoids severity and harshness. It is this mercy and compassion in Islam that paves the way for success in this world and the Hereafter.
Conclusion:
In the light of the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Quran and Hadith, Islam is a religion that advocates gentleness, inclusiveness, and wisdom. Its true essence is Al-Hanifah Al-Samha—meaning being on the straight path with a soft and kind heart. The beauty and greatness of Islam lie in its message to stay away from harshness, oppression, and extremism. Those who use religion as a tool for extremism and rigidity damage the mercy and humanitarian spirit of Islam and distort its true message.
It is our collective responsibility to wholeheartedly embrace the true teachings of Islam, understand its vastness and flexibility, and avoid the dangerous paths of extremism. Islam teaches us love, tolerance, and ease so that we may become a source of mercy and compassion for one another. This lesson protects us from hatred, violence, and sectarianism done in the name of religion and lays the foundation for peace and harmony in society.
Let us all together bring this light into our lives, so that not only we ourselves may prosper but also our future generations may live their lives in the true light of religion. This is the legacy that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has bestowed upon us, and safeguarding it must be our foremost priority.
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Kaniz Fatma is an Islamic Scholar (Aalima and Faazila) and Regular Columnist for New Age Islam.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism