Page 30 - Islam: The Religion of Ease

ISLAM: THE RELIGION OF EASE

on a journey should fast a similar number of days later
on. Allah desires your well-being, not your discomfort.
He desires you to fast the whole month so that you may
proclaim Allah's greatness for the guidance He has given
you and so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat al-
Baqara: 185)
That Allah wishes us ease in the verses concerning His com-
mands shows us that we should think of and comprehend the
easiness of religion too. Those who run away from carrying out
their religious obligations because they think that they will ex-
perience difficulties have no proper knowledge of religion and
are thus in a state of error.

Those not held responsible by Allah

As another manifestation of Allah's compassion, people who
are incapacitated are not burdened with the same responsibili-
ties as others. Allah tells us this in one of His verses:
There is no constraint on the blind, nor on the lame, nor
on the sick. We will admit all who obey Allah and His
Messenger into Gardens with rivers flowing under them.
But We will punish with a painful punishment anyone
who turns his back. (Surat al-Fath: 17)
By relieving disabled people of the responsibilities of wor-
ship, Allah displays another proof of His mercy and infinite
compassion. In the following verse, it is stated that Allah does
not bring about difficulties for people and this is a manifestation
of His compassion and kindness:
... If Allah had wanted, He could have been hard on you.
Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (Surat al-Baqara: 220)

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