IFRÂT – افراط

Etymology & Literal Meaning: Derived from the root f-r-t (فرط), which fundamentally means to exceed proper bounds, go to extremes, outrun, or surpass a limit through excess. Literally, it means overfilling, filling to overflowing, going to excess, overdoing, or excess.

As an Islamic Term: Deviating from istiqâmah by overstepping the bounds ordained by Allah in the three powers, quwwa al-aqliyyah, quwwa al-ghadhabiyyah and quwwa ash-shahawiyyah, thereby going to excess in matters of belief, action, feeling or character. Ifrât represents the destructive deviation that destroys the balanced middle way (wasat), which is justice (‘adl) and hikmah. Paired with its counterpart tafrît (deficiency or falling short), it constitutes the two primary deviations from as-sirât al-mustaqîm, the path of Sunnah.

(For further explanation, please refer to the compilation on As-sirât Al-mustaqîm.)