The literal meaning of ghulu is extremism, that is, going beyond the required limit in a religious command. How does this mindset of exceeding limits arise? In reality, it is the result of a shift of emphasis, meaning giving more emphasis to something than it actually deserves. For example, in Islam, politics has only a secondary or additional place. But to exaggerate it to the extent that the entire religion is interpreted and explained solely on the basis of politics is to exceed the limit, and this excess is called in Islam ghulu.
While discussing this topic, someone remarked, “You put so much stress on making people aware of God’s message and related matters. Doesn’t this also come under extremism?” I replied, “Not at all. Making people aware of God’s message is the most important practice of the Prophet. In fact, the mission of all prophets, including the Prophet of Islam, was precisely this. But in the present age, Muslims have begun to see the rest of humanity as rivals or opponents. As a result, the motivation to carry out this prophetic mission has faded among them. That is why we place strong emphasis on reviving this Prophetic practice. This should be called emphasis, not a shift of emphasis.
Extremism never arises in the core of religion. Whenever it appears, it does so in the outward aspects of religion. At the core of religion, strong emphasis is always required. In fact, this intensity of expression is the Quranic style, and the same style is found in the Hadith as well.
The benefit of this intensity of expression at the core of religion is that it brings the spirit of religion to life within a person, and when the spirit of religion comes alive, all aspects of religion automatically come alive. In matters related to the spirit of religion, the method of intensity is the appropriate method. However, in the outward aspects of religion, rather than intensity, a method of gentleness should be adopted. Understanding this distinction is what is called the wisdom of religion. (Al-Risala, December 2014)
