The religion of Ease

The religion Allah chose for people, which best suits their temperament, is the religion of Islam. Allah has made His religion very easy for people to live by. Religion lifts all the burdens, and things that are limiting and restricting and that cause people hardship. It informs people that they should always seek Allah’s approval, lean towards Him, and resign themselves to the fate that He has determined for them, for He is infinitely compassionate, kind and forgiving; He creates everything with a purpose for righteous people; He is the possessor of all power.
Allah, in the Qur’an, declares that religion is easy and that He will make things easier for those who follow their religion:

We will ease you to the Easy Way. (Qur’an, 87:8)

The practices and beliefs that people see as hardships have been added to religion and passed on as if they were a part of the real religion by polytheists or by people who deny religion and try to distance others from religion. Yet others have adopted an ostentatious manner in their observance of religion, thinking that if they perform harder things to show themselves as more pious, that will be more generally acceptable. However, our Prophet (saas) has always ordered Muslims around him to make religion “easier.” As a result, righteous Muslims should obey this command and should not suffer the consequences of representing easy things as hard. One of our Prophet's (saas) sayings on this matter is as follows:
"Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them)." (Sahih Bukhari)
The QUR’AN, a Guide to what is Easy


We did not send down the Qur’an to you to make you miserable, but only as a reminder for those who have fear. (Qur'an, 20:2, 3)

In order for all of humankind to find the truth, to reach the absolute reality, and acquire knowledge about religion, Allah has sent down holy books and prophets to convey and explain these books, throughout history. The last book Allah sent down, as a guide to humankind, was the Qur’an. In one verse the attribute of the Qur’an as a guidebook is explained as:

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. (Qur’an, 16:89)

Every individual who knows the Qur’an and makes it his guide learns the purpose of his creation, the means to acquire Allah’s approval and mercy, how to reach Heaven, what life will be like in Heaven and Hell, the secrets of Allah’s creation, the best morals, and many more things in the most correct and complete way.
Every type of question that can be asked by different people about religion is answered in the Qur’an. Allah states this in one of His verses:
Every time they come to you with a difficult point, We bring you the truth and the best of explanations. (Qur'an, 25:33)

As all knowledge about religion is provided in the Qur’an, this leaves no room for dispute whatever the subject. Allah tells us that one of the purposes for the revelation of the Qur’an is to clarify issues that people disagree on:

We have only sent down the Book to you so that you can make clear to them the things about which they differ, and as a guidance and a mercy to people who believe. (Qur'an, 16:64)

As can be seen in this verse, the Qur’an is a great blessing and a guide in every respect to those who have faith in Allah and are righteous. Allah, through the Qur’an, informs us of topics about which we have no knowledge and the secrets of His creation. For example, the Qur’an instructs us on the existence of Satan, his qualities, his purpose, the angle from which he gets close to people, the tactics he uses, his insidious character, as well as giving much other information. Furthermore, the way to free oneself from Satan’s influence is spelled out in the Qur’an. Whatever is explained in the Qur’an about Satan is a great advantage to believers, because it enables them always to be alert to the insidious and invisible enemies who approach them.
The Qur’an is a book that is very clearly comprehensive and which appeals to everyone. As a result, on Judgment Day when people are giving their account of all the things they did, they cannot put forward the excuse that nobody had informed them of what was right or wrong or that they were unaware of certain precepts. Allah, by the mediation of the Qur’an, warns people in the best possible way and informs them of the most vital issues pertaining to their lives.
Again for the sake of simplicity, Allah explains His points in a variety of ways so that people may fully comprehend them. Allah thus makes known to us this style of the Qur’an:

We have brought them a Book elucidating everything with knowledge, as guidance and a mercy for people who believe. (Qur'an, 7:52)

Look how We explain the Signs with various symbols so that hopefully they will understand. (Qur'an, 6:65)

We have revealed to you the Qur’an in your own tongue, so that you may give good news to those who guard against evil and give warning to a contentious nation. (Qur’an, 19:97)

This is a very important point: Allah has created people in such a way that if they live by the foundation of Islam, they can be happy, peaceful, and mentally and physically healthy individuals. Those who search for other ways to achieve this will never be able to find them, even if they search for thousands and millions of years. The only way for an individual to be at ease in this world and the next is to abide by the Qur’an Allah has sent down. As Allah declares in the following verse, the Qur’an is the only true Book that lifts people up from darkness into light:

Alif, Lam, Ra. This is a Book We have sent down to you so that you can bring mankind from the darkness to the light, by the permission of their Lord, to the Path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy. (Qur'an, 14:1)

Those who follow the light of Allah’s Book and submit to its guiding rule will always be blessed with ease and lead a wonderful life in this world and in the Hereafter, by the will of Allah.

Allah has Ordered what is easy

As a result of our Allah’s compassion and kindness, all of the true religions sent down through the ages have possessed commandments which are easy to carry out, because, Allah has always wished ease for His devotees. The verse “… Allah desires your well-being” (Qur’an, 2: 185) records this reality. One who obeys the limits specified by Allah is also one who lives in the most excellent way the life most suited to his characteristics.

Those who fear Allah and who fulfil Allah’s commands without any shortcomings are in a position of great advantage in this world and the next. Above all, they experience spiritual pleasure and have the clear conscience of obeying Allah. There are always glad tidings and beauty for them. Allah gives good news to those who seek His approval and who protect His boundaries:

Those who repent, those who worship, those who praise, those who fast, those who bow, those who prostrate themselves, those who enjoin the right, and forbid evil and, those who observe the commandments of Allah shall be richly rewarded. (Qur’an, 9:112)

Those, who are remiss in upholding Allah’s constraints, contrary to their conscience, or who see faith as horrid and infidelity as good, will face hardships and difficulties in this life and in the Hereafter. Allah tells us in one of His verses:

… Those are Allah’s limits, and anyone who oversteps Allah’s limits has wronged himself… (Qur’an, 65:1)

Along with those who presume it is hard to be religious, there are those who represent being religious as a hardship, as we mentioned above. True are some, who have not grasped the essence of religion, who are prone to take religion to extremes. Just as some ignore the boundaries of religion in the name of freedom, others have the temerity to change the boundaries Allah has set and make religion harder, all in the name of piety. This is actually a trap of Satan. By showing things that are not forbidden as being prohibited, such people think that it is their privilege to make up other prohibitions. What's more, they do not comply as they should with the rules they lay down and so suffer because of their conscience. On this topic Allah gives the example of Christians, who altered Christianity after Jesus (peace be upon him):

Then We sent Our Messengers following in their footsteps and sent Jesus the son of Maryam after them, giving him the Gospel. We put compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. As for monasticism, they instituted it themselves—We did not prescribe it for them. (Qur'an, 57:27)

Allah, therefore, warns believers against this danger and declares in the Qur’an that those who go extremes in religion have strayed from the true religion:

Say: “People of the Book! Do not go to extremes in your religion, asserting other than the truth, and do not yield to the whims and desires of people who were misguided previously and have misguided many others, and have themselves strayed far from the right path.” (Qur'an, 5:77)

The only rule that the individual has to follow is to carry out the commands set forth by Allah in the Qur’an and to abstain from whatever is prohibited. When Allah decrees everything to be easy to believers, those who try to make religion harder will have to account for their behaviour on Judgment Day. As is true of all else, our Prophet 's (saas) life and practices are a good example for us. In one of his traditions, the Prophet (saas) reminds believers not to abandon and at the same time not to exceed Allah’s boundaries and states that religion is easy.
"Religion is simple. No one can be severe against religion. For he will be defeated. (That is to say, that one should conform to religion’s ease. Whoever tries to be firm will be helpless). Straighten your line of conduct, be close to the boundary/end." (Ramuz al-Ahadith, Vol 1, p 98)
People should evaluate religion in the manner of the tradition of the Prophet (saas), as mentioned above. That is to say, it is a mistake to show what Allah has conveyed as easy and straightforward and that can be easily implemented as difficult and incomprehensible. In fact, Allah has made the commands He sets forth in the Qur’an, so easy that everyone in every situation and environment can easily comply with them. In the coming sections, the simplicity Allah gives people in His boundaries of permissible and forbidden things will be dealt with.

Leniency acknowledged in terms of food

Allah has given people many blessings as a means of sustenance. Colourful fruits, a variety of food, vegetables, meats, drinks, dried fruits and nuts… Each one has been presented as a service to human beings: “They will ask you what is lawful for them. Say: ‘All good things are lawful for you…'” (Qur’an, 5:4) Allah informs us that all the food that has been declared as clean is permissible for people to eat.
The food Allah forbids people to eat are such as are harmful to people, namely, carcasses, blood, and pork. Allah states in one of His verses:

Say: “I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, any food it is forbidden to eat except for carrion, flowing blood, and pork—for these are unclean—and any flesh that has been profanely consecrated to Allahs other than Allah. But if anyone is forced to eat it, intending neither to sin nor to transgress, your Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur'an 6:145)

There is great wisdom in the word “unclean” that is used for these forbidden foods, for pork really does have qualities that are pernicious to people’s health.

The leniency granted in fasting

Allah has commanded Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan. However, Allah also mentions the exceptional cases, such as illnesses and travelling, and with this He once again declares that He wishes us ease rather than hardship:

The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance on distinguishing between right and wrong. Therefore, any of you who are present in that month let him fast. But any of you who are ill or 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. (Qur'an, 2:185)

The ease garnted to those who pray
Prayer is a duty Muslims are obliged to perform at certain times, which Allah has determined, throughout their lives without neglecting it. Those who do not carry out their religious duties, usually defer prayer till their old age. Yet, prayer is extremely easy to perform, as with all the other acts of worship.
It should be noted that whatever Allah has decreed as obligatory it is the responsibility of each individual to carry it out as his obligation to Allah. In return for this, he may hope for Allah’s approval, mercy, and Heaven. Allah’s making the obligatory forms of worship simple is an indicator of His mercy and compassion. Those who do not, in spite of this, abide by Allah’s commands will not be able to say they didn’t have enough strength, or that it was hard for them to pray, as an excuse. (Except those mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an as not having any responsibilities).

Allah is Forgiving

Allah’s infinite mercy and compassion are a great blessing for people. Because, humans are creatures who can be negligent, who can forget, and make mistakes. Allah, in His infinite compassion, has always given people the chance to ask for forgiveness and repent. Anyone who, going in fear of Allah, sincerely wishes his or her sins to be forgiven can hope for Allah’s forgiveness. As is stated in the Qur’an: “Allah desires to turn towards you…” (Qur’an, 4: 27) Allah informs us of this ever-forgiving attribute of His:

Anyone who does evil or wrongs himself and then asks Allah’s forgiveness will find Allah Ever-Forgiving and Most Merciful. (Qur’an, 4:110)

Allah, in His forgiveness, continuously gives new opportunities to people throughout their lives. The only thing a person has to do is to admit his mistake in the hope of not repeating it and to repent by listening to his conscience before the time of death comes. Allah tells us in one of His verses that only insincere people’s repentance will not be forgiven:

There is no forgiveness for people who persist in doing evil until death comes to them and who only then say, “Now I repent,” nor for people who die while they are disbelievers. We have prepared for them a painful punishment. (Qur'an, 4:18)

Allah never burdens anyone with more than he can bear

The situations one faces in life, no matter how tough it seems at the moment, are all actually at an intensity that one can bear. Allah, the Creator of human beings, gives them their souls. He knows best how much they can tolerate and how much of a burden and difficulty they can bear.
Allah states in many verses that He would not afflict anyone with more than he could handle and that no one would face injustice:

Allah does not impose on any soul more than it can bear. It shall be requited for whatever good and whatever evil it has done. (Qur’an, 2:286)

As for those who believe and do right actions—We impose on no soul any more than it can bear—they are the Companions of the Garden, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. (Qur’an, 7:42)

Allah grants ease with every hardship

Allah has given us the good news that, by His grace, He will create ease with every hardship when testing people in this world. Allah tells us this good news in the following verses:

For truly, with hardship comes ease; truly, with hardship comes ease. (Qur'an, 94:5-6)

Allah answers all prayers and is very close to everyone

In circles far from religion, prayer to Allah has been complicated by superstitions and false beliefs. People have determined set times when they can pray to Allah, even though they can do so at any time they wish, or they have put intermediaries between themselves and Allah. Allah warns people against these false notions:

To Allah alone is true worship due. As for those who take protectors besides Him, saying, "We only worship them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah"—Allah will judge between them regarding the things about which they differed. Allah does not guide the untruthful disbelievers. (Qur'an, 39:3)

Those who assert that one needs certain intermediaries to pray to Allah, are actually people who try to fool others by showing religion as a hardship. Because as verse, 50:16 of the Qur’an tells us: “We created man and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein”, Allah is closer to people than anyone else. That is to say, the suppliant can turn toward Allah, can make his voice heard to Allah, and ask for help by prayer whenever he wants.

Like all the other human beings living on this Earth, you too are drawing closer to the end of your life with every hour, every minute, and every second. This is an inescapable reality. One day your life will somehow come to an end, and you shall have to give an account to Allah of all the things you did in this world.
You may have stayed far from religion till now because you saw it as a hardship, did not practice the morals of the Qur’an and may have committed many sins. But, what is important after this moment is to sincerely repent to Allah, do what is best for your next life, and lean towards what is easy. With Allah’s permission, it is a reality that you will achieve a different and a better life than you are used to.
The notion of a “good life” seems strange to people. The majority see a life without any worries, sadness, fears, and anxieties as a dream that they can never attain. Truly, this kind of life is an impossible dream for people who live their lives distant from religion.
Only those who aim to achieve Allah’s approval, Heaven, and mercy and those who fear Him and submit to Him can experience a life full of comfort and happiness. Allah promises this good news to believers:

Be they men or women, those who embrace the Faith and do what is right We will surely grant a happy life; We shall reward them according to their noblest deeds. (Qur'an, 16:97)
This article is abstracted from www.harunyahya.com.
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