To analyze this (or any) issue, we must first refer back to the Qur'an and Sunnah. Did RasulAllah (SAW) divide the Sahaba (RA) into "moderates" and "extremists"? Did the Sahaba (RA) measure each other by scales of "moderation" or "extremism"? Allah (SWT) revealed: "Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you." [al-Hujraat, 49:13]. Therefore, the measure of people is not in how extremist or moderate they are, but rather in their righteousness. Dividing Muslims into "moderates" and "extremists" is an innovation in Islam. It was never professed by the early generation of Muslim scholars, and has been only recently introduced into the Islamic discourse.
The reality of this discourse is to make Islam look undesirable. The media, think tanks, and politicians denounce Islam as "militant," "radical" and "extremist" so that Muslims feel threatened when they practice their Deen. Some examples include:
Abstaining from Alcohol: Muslims are considered extremist for forbidding Muslims from purchasing alcohol within the Muslim lands! CNN reported: "A surprise vote by Algeria's parliament to ban the import of alcoholic drinks in the moderate Muslim country marks the return of Islamic extremism..." We can see that the media considers consuming alcohol as the hallmark of a "moderate" Muslim. Conversely, one who forbids Muslims from consuming alcohol is an "extremist."
Wearing the Hijab: The Toronto Star - a left-leaning paper in one of the most tolerant cities in Canada - demonized the Hijab and called for it to be banned! The Star article cited earlier praised the "moderate Muslim" for despising the ruling prescribed by Allah (SWT) for women to cover their hair, wear the Jilbab (body covering), and for men and women to maintain their modesty when dealing with one another. Allah (SWT) revealed:"Oh Prophet! Tell your wives, your daughters and the believing women to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed." [Al-Ahzab, 33:59]."And (for women) to draw their head-coverings (khumur) over their necks and upper chests (Juyub)" [An-Nur, 24:31]
Therefore, think tanks, media personalities, and certain politicians define a "moderate" Muslim as someone who is willing to abandon the commands of Allah (SWT) whenever it conflicts with liberal values that emanate from the secular creed (Aqeedah). On the other hand, a Muslim who abides by the commandments of Allah (SWT) is deemed an extremist and someone who should be shunned by society.
Although this tactic of promoting "moderate Muslims" is recent, it is in actuality nothing new. The colonial powers have been working for centuries to make the Muslims adopt secularism as their sole reference point. This vision to engender a colonized mentality was articulated in 1854 by Mountstuart Elphinstone, who said, "We must not dream of perpetual possession, but must apply ourselves to bring the natives into a state that will admit of their governing themselves in a manner that may be beneficial to our interests..."
Muslims today have fallen upon severely trying times. We cannot pick up a newspaper, turn on the television or surf the internet without being exposed to accusations and lies leveled against our Deen, our Prophet (SAW) or our Ummah. This pressure has compelled some to explain Islam in a manner that appeases its critics - with the hopes of being considered "moderate" themselves. We must not fall into this trap. Instead, we must first strengthen our ties to Allah (SWT) and recall that Allah (SWT) has warned us about such trials: "You will certainly hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the Book before you, and from the Mushrikin (polytheists)." [al-Imran, 3:186]. And RasulAllah (SAW) warned us that: "A time is going to come on people when remaining steadfast on Deen will be like holding a burning coal in one's hand." [At-Tirmidhi].
If we look to the Sahaba (RA), we will find in them excellent examples of persistence and steadfastness. They were faced with trials similar to ours where the disbelievers used tactics of labeling Islam. The People of the Book attempted to make Islam look crooked in order to create obstacles for the message of Islam. Allah (SWT) revealed: "Say: O followers of the Book! Why do you hinder him who believes from the way of Allah? You seek (to make) it crooked, while you are witness, and Allah is not heedless of what you do." [Al-Imran, 3:99]. Quraysh also used propaganda to label RasulAllah (SAW) and the Sahaba (RA) as extreme elements of society. Although the terminology they used was different, their goal was similar: to put pressure on the Muslims so that they would conform to the Kufr thoughts, emotions, and laws of the Quraysh. For example, Al-Waleed bin Al-Mughirah led the effort to devise a propaganda strategy to isolate RasulAllah (SAW). Some ideas (e.g. labeling him a poet, soothsayer, one possessed by Jinn, etc) were rejected because they were unrealistic. They settled on labeling him a sorcerer with words who broke up families.
Despite this climate of Fitna and fear, RasulAllah (SAW) and the Sahaba (RA) stood firm in their Deen and did not buckle under the pressure. Instead the Sahaba (RA) displayed great courage. For example, when RasulAllah (SAW) and the Sahaba (RA) were living in Makkah (i.e. before the Hijrah), Abdullah bin Mas'ood (RA) said that he would make Quraysh listen to the Qur'an. So, one morning he went to the Ka'aba and read the Qur'an aloud, whereupon the people of Quraysh attacked him. When he returned to the Sahaba (RA), they said: "This is what we feared would happen to you." He said, "Allah's enemies were never more contemptible in my sight than they are now, and if you like I will go and do the same thing again tomorrow." Allah (SWT) eventually made them victorious over their enemies in this world, and granted them His pleasure in the Hereafter: "Allah is well pleased with them as they are well pleased with Him." [at-Tawba, 9:100]
If we desire Allah's (SWT) pleasure, we must follow the example of RasulAllah (SAW) and his companions (RA) and, Insha Allah, we will be amongst those whom Allah (SWT) is pleased with.