A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Emphasizing the necessity of steadfastness while avoiding extremism and transgression.
Although steadfastness means, as we have previously stated,
moderation between both extremism and negligence,
or excess and deficiency,
we find that the words of Allah the Almighty,
“So tread thou the straight path as thou art commanded, and those who turn (unto Allah) with thee, and transgress not. Lo! He is Seer of what ye do.” (11:112)
"Indeed, He is All-Seeing of what you do,"
are followed by the command to remain steadfast,
coupled with the prohibition against transgression and overstepping bounds,
meaning excess and extremism.
Negligence and deficiency were not explicitly mentioned here,
but rather, an allusion to them appeared only in His saying,
"So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness."
For by mentioning the seeking of forgiveness, He pointed
to the need to ask for pardon for any shortcomings or flaws that might accompany one's steadfastness.
Thus, the emphasis on avoiding extremism and transgression was made through an explicit prohibition,
because when a believer receives the command to be steadfast,
it produces in his soul a sense of vigilance and caution,
which may lead him toward extremism and exaggeration,
transforming the religion from ease into hardship.
Therefore, Allah the Almighty cautioned against this,
because He desires His religion to remain as He revealed it,
without extremism or excess within it.