Question
We know striving in the path of Allah is a source of reward. For example; it is hard to offer the fajr prayer or wear hijab etc. We must therefore strive to work hard. Facing the hardship and remaining steadfast on deen is a basic part of Muslims life. Narrated Abu Qatada bin Rib’i Al-Ansari: A funeral procession passed by Allah’s Apostle who said: Relieved or relieving?
Why does the verse say in the religion there is no hardship? Yet we know from our life that there are a lot of difficulties and hardships that we face due to being Muslims. The hadith also explains that there are hardships. Please comment on the apparent contradiction.
Answer
In order to properly understand the purpose of the verse under consideration we need to have a look at the context in which it occurs. I would request you kindly to read the verses preceding and following this one for a full picture. This verse has been explained as follows by Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi the author of Tadabbur-e Qur’an:
I hope it is clear now that the word haraj (translated as hardships by you) does not mean any form of difficulty in this context. Here the difficult nature and great responsibilities have been acknowledged. The only thing that has been negated is that the religion corresponds to fitrah and does not include some of the strict laws and prohibitions which were imposed on the Jews as penalty. The message is not that an unbearable burden.
Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
Date: 2015-02-21
