Allah SWT has selected for us a religion that is best suited to the nature of people. One that does not go to extremes of hardship or slack, but rather provides a medium route. In other words, a religion of ease.
Let’s go through some reasons why Islam is considered the religion of ease through this brief article.
Ease in Islam
Islam came to complement all religions. It came to make mankind better and guide them to a better life. The concept of ease is prevalent in Islam since day one. Allah SWT said in His Holy Book:
“Allah intends for you ease, and does not want to make things difficult for you”
(Surah al-Baqarah)
That is why Allah SWT picked the most qualified person for this mission. The simplicity of this religion was implemented by the noblest of humanity, the one who came to convey the word, as Allah SWT stated:
“Verily there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves, it grieves him that you should suffer any difficulty, he is anxious for you, for the believers, he is full of pity and merciful”
(Surah Yunus)
Such ease is clearly illustrated in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (May Allah Be Pleased With Him), which states that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stated:
“Religion is easy…”
(Bukhari)
He also said:
“The best of your religion is the easiest.”
(Ahmad)
Salah is an example of many. It is an act so important and crucial to Islam that the prophet constantly cautioned against leaving, even in his final breaths before passing from this world. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said:
“Between a person and disbelief is discarding prayer”
(Muslim)
However, Allah has also prescribed ease in this worship. The number of prayers was originally fifty, but it was lowered numerous times until it was reduced to five, based on the prophet’s requests. Then it was declared:
“O Muhammad, the order is not changed. These five are (equal in reward) to fifty”
(Tirmidhi)
How Islam Makes it easy for its followers
The Quran says:
“We have sent down the Book to you which manifests the truth about all things and as guidance and mercy and good news for Muslims.”
(Surah al-Nahl)
Society is often so focused on finding complicated solutions when the answers are already in front of us. Muslims in particular have a lesson in it. Allah SWT intends for you ease not a hardship.
Islam is a simple, lovely, and flawless faith. Why complicate things? Islam is simple to follow and urges us to make religion simple. Unfortunately, some Muslims, especially some reverts, believe that the more strict they are in their religious practices, the more holy they become.
This is completely contrary to what our religion teaches. The misunderstanding stems from a lack of knowledge of religion and, at times, leads some individuals away from religion, mostly due to the manner in which it is presented to them.
Let’s review some aspects in which Islam makes it easy for us to live our lives while pleasing Allah SWT at the same time.
The acts of worship for the sick
For those who are not able to perform the prayer in the manner performed by a non-excused person, the legislator has relieved them and asked them to pray according to their ability. Note that the prayers should never be dismissed.
The patient is obliged to perform the prayer standing, and if they need to rely on a stick and the like to stand up, there is nothing wrong with that because what is not done without it is an obligation.
If the sick person is unable to stand in prayer, because they are unable to do so, or it is difficult for them, or it is feared that his standing will increase sickness or delay recovery, then – in the case as mentioned – they should pray sitting.
The permissibility of sitting in prayer is not a condition for the inability to stand, and the slightest hardship is not sufficient for that, but the apparent hardship is considered.
If the sick person is unable to pray sitting because sitting is an obvious difficulty for them, or they are unable to do so, they should pray on their side and face the qiblah, and it is preferable for them to be on their right side, and if they have no one to direct them to the qiblah, and they are unable to turn to it themselves; pray according to their condition, to whichever side is easy for them.
If the patient is not able to pray on their side, they must pray on their back, and their feet should be towards the qiblah if possible.
The acts of worship for women on their period
Women are not required to pray or fast during their period. At this time of the month, women tend to be more exhausted and lethargic than other days. To make it easier on them, Islam dropped the hard acts of worship from them during these days.
The Islamic religion’s observance of the elderly and women in wars
The Prophet Muhammad’s acts and utterances, as well as those of the early Caliphs of Islam, attest to significant humanitarian principles. The first Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, instructed his military commander in a famous decree:
“Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for guidance on the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies; do not kill a woman, a child, or an aged man; do not cut down fruitful trees; do not destroy inhabited areas; do not slaughter any of the enemies’ sheep, cow, or camel except for food; do not burn date palms, nor inundate them”
How Do Muslims Deal with Hardship?
Muslims deal with hardship by trusting in Allah SWT and asking for His help. When we believe that Allah SWT will get us out of hardship, He does. Muslims should also be patient and make dua until they survive the hardship.
During life’s trials and tribulations, it is important that we, as Muslims, adhere to what Allah, His writings, and His messengers have taught us. The lives of our messengers are great models to be emulated.
How Do You Ask Allah for Ease?
- Pray to Allah
Prayer is the best method to speak with Allah. You recite surahs five times a day, pray to Him, and share all of your problems and ideas with Him. If you are concerned, stop all you are doing and offer Salah. You’ll be surprised at how much relief you’ll experience.
- Make dua
Have you run out of people to chat with? Do you need to let go of all the emotions and tensions that have been pent up inside of you?
Dua is a way to communicate with Allah. Ask him for ease. Tell Him what you want and what kind of serenity you want.
- Read the Quran
You will find solace once you study what Islam preaches. Reading or listening to the Quran will put your mind at ease while gaining good deeds for every letter you read.
- Give out charity
Always strive to provide as much charity as possible. Make certain that you are assisting those who want charity assistance, whether in the form of cash or clothing. If you are unable to offer sadaqah in monetary form, Allah considers helping others to be sadaqah.
What Is Helping in Islam?
Every one of us will face some kind of hardship or sorrow at some point in our life. As a result, it is essential to investigate the significance of helping others from an Islamic perspective.
Helping one another is a means to overcome sadness and to be empowered in our devotion to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was one of the finest human beings to walk the world and the best example of compassion and generosity in human form.
He stated:
“Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from the difficulties of the Hereafter. Whoever alleviates [the situation of] one in dire straits who cannot repay his debt, Allah will alleviate his lot in both this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslim, Allah will conceal [his faults] in this life and the Hereafter.”
(Muslim)
In the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
“Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist each other in acts of sinfulness and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment”
(Surah Mai’da)
We should be kind to each other, ask about each other, make Dua for people in private, seek forgiveness from those we did wrong, and give out charity as much as possible.
What Is Zakat in Islam?
Zakat is a type of almsgiving that is considered a religious requirement in Islam, ranking second only to prayer in significance according to the Quran. Zakat, as one of the pillars of Islam, is a religious obligation for all Muslims who satisfy the requisite standards of wealth to aid the poor.
Giving to charity, whether through zakat or sadaqah, is a wonderful method to aid someone and safeguard oneself from tragedy. This fosters the connections among the Muslim populations and leads to a better Islamic world.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
What Is Forgiving in Islam?
In Islam, anybody who has committed a sin can seek forgiveness from Allah directly. There is no one between Allah and the one seeking forgiveness from Him. Allah SWT states in the Holy Quran:
“Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and He loves those who keep themselves pure.”
(Surah al-Baqarah)
We may deduce from this Quranic verse that if someone asks forgiveness with repentance, Allah would love them and definitely forgive them, but there is one condition: they must not commit that sin or error again.
In Islam, there are two types of forgiveness: Allah’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. We, as humans, require both since we make mistakes in our relationships with Allah and with one another.
All that is required in Islam is to identify the error or sin, improve it, and ask forgiveness from Allah SWT as well as from other human beings.
