What is meant by the statement: “His prayer was moderate and his sermon was moderate”?
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The questioner : It was mentioned previously that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his sermon in a moderate manner and performed his prayer in a moderate manner. How are these two reconciled?
The Shaykh : It means it was not prolonged.
The questioner : It means it was not brief?
The Shaykh : No, no. “Moderate” with respect to the sermon means brevity, and with respect to the prayer it means lengthening, according to what the Sunnah has established. In other words, “moderate” is interpreted according to its context, because “moderate” does not mean lengthening or shortening. “Moderate” means being in the middle between what is sought and what is not sought.
The Shaykh : It means it was not prolonged.
The questioner : It means it was not brief?
The Shaykh : No, no. “Moderate” with respect to the sermon means brevity, and with respect to the prayer it means lengthening, according to what the Sunnah has established. In other words, “moderate” is interpreted according to its context, because “moderate” does not mean lengthening or shortening. “Moderate” means being in the middle between what is sought and what is not sought.