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 limits determined by Allah in any faculty, sentiment, or power (quwwa) granted by Him — especially in the three primary quwwas, 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.)