According to the Quran, God calls believers to strive to be the best worshipers and faithfully adhere to His laws. This entails choosing the more challenging path and striving towards the ideals that God has set forth whenever possible.
90:11 He should choose the difficult path.
90:12 Which one is the difficult path?
90:13 The freeing of slaves.
90:14 Feeding, during the time of hardship.
90:15 Orphans who are related.
90:16 Or the poor who is in need.
90:17 And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind.
These have deserved happiness.
The Quran teaches that if we strive by choosing the difficult path, God will provide ease. This requires faith and trust to follow through God’s system no matter how it may appear from the outside.
65:4 As for the women who have reached menopause, if you have any doubts, their interim shall be three months. As for those who do not menstruate, and discover that they are pregnant, their interim ends upon giving birth. Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him.
65:7 The rich husband shall provide support in accordance with his means, and the poor shall provide according to the means that GOD bestowed upon him. GOD does not impose on any soul more than He has given it. GOD will provide ease after difficulty.
Hardship = Growth
God’s religion in the Quran is not meant to be difficult. It is meant to push individuals to be better.
3:108 These are GOD’s revelations; we recite them to you, truthfully. GOD does not wish any hardship for the people.
God puts individuals in these circumstances to elevate them, but if they don’t even attempt to challenge themselves, they will never reap the benefits of faith that God has to offer.
7:176 Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.
God Knows Our Limits
God knows our limits and shortcomings, and His requests for His worshipers would never be unreasonable.
4:66 Had we decreed for them: “You must offer your lives,” or “Give up your homes,” they would not have done it, except for a few of them. (Even if such a command was issued,) had they done what they were commanded to do, it would have been better for them, and would prove the strength of their faith.
The Quran informs us that God never burdens any soul beyond its means.
2:286 GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. “Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
This means whatever happens in one’s life, God knows that the individual can bear it, but oftentimes, the person lacks confidence in themselves, which is ultimately a lack of confidence in God, who created them and allowed the situation to transpire. A perfect example of this can be seen in the history of Moses, where God commanded Moses to deliver His message to Pharoah, yet Moses brought up all his shortcomings. After reassuring Moses, God reminded Moses that He created Him and was fully aware of what Moses was capable of.
26:10 Recall that your Lord called Moses: “Go to the transgressing people.
26:11 “Pharaoh’s people; perhaps they reform.”
26:12 He said, “My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.
26:13 “I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.
26:14 “Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me.”
26:15 He said, “No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.
20:36 He said, “Your request is granted, O Moses.
20:37 “We have blessed you another time.
20:38 “When we revealed to your mother what we revealed.
20:39 “Saying: ‘Throw him into the box, then throw him into the river. The river will throw him onto the shore, to be picked up by an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his.’ I showered you with love from Me, and I had you made before My watchful eye.
20:40 “Your sister walked to them and said, ‘I can tell you about a nursing mother who can take good care of him.’ We thus returned you to your mother, that she may be happy and stop worrying. And when you killed a soul, we saved you from the grievous consequences; indeed we tested you thoroughly. You stayed years with the people of Midyan, and now you have come back in accordance with a precise plan.
20:41 “I have made you just for Me.
20:42 “Go with your brother, supported by My signs, and do not waver in remembering Me.
God’s Religion Is Practical, Not Unachievable
Yet, some people perceive the religion advocated in the Quran as too difficult and rigid to ever be properly implemented. This misconception either discourages people from embracing the faith or drives them to an extremist mindset, insisting on implementing everything exactly as prescribed rather than doing their best given their circumstances.
God’s religion in the Quran commands its adherents to aim for the ideal in righteoussness but knows that the ideal outcome will not always be obtainable.
73:20 Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD’s provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Throughout the Quran, we have examples where God sets the ideal of what is requested but offers fallback options when the ideal cannot be met.
Salat
One of the most important practices in a submitter’s life is the Salat. According to the Quran, God has designated the Salat for specific times, precisely five distinct times for Salat. Now, while the Salat is supposed to be done with a series of movements, including standing, bowing, prostrating, and kneeling, God knows that this is not always achievable. Therefore, the Quran allows one to perform this act while walking or riding under unusual circumstances.
2:239 Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate GOD as He taught you what you never knew.
Fasting
For example, in the case of fasting, God informs us that fasting is best for us but offers alternatives to fasting if this is not achievable for some individuals.
2:184 Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.
Ablution
Similarly, before we do our Contact Prayer (Salat) we are to perform ablution. However, if water is unavailable, God informs us that we can use clean, dry soil.
5:6 O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.
Fighting During Sacred Months at Sacred Masjid
We also see that God offers grace in matters that would typically be considered sinful. For example, fighting is not permitted during the Sacred Months or at the Sacred Masjid. Except if war is declared and one is being attacked, then they are permitted to fight back even during the Sacred Month and at the Sacred Masjid.
2:217 They ask you about the Sacred Months and fighting therein: say, “Fighting therein is a sacrilege. However, repelling from the path of GOD and disbelieving in Him and in the sanctity of the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), and evicting its people, are greater sacrileges in the sight of GOD. Oppression is worse than murder.” They will always fight you to revert you from your religion, if they can. Those among you who revert from their religion, and die as disbelievers, have nullified their works in this life and the Hereafter. These are the dwellers of Hell, wherein they abide forever.
2:190 You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
2:191 You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers.
9:36 The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve. This has been GOD’s law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous.
Eating Prohibited Foods
The Quran states that even eating the four prohibited foods is permissible if one is forced to do so by circumstances as long as they are not deliberate or malicious.
6:145 Say, “I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except: (1) carrion, (2) running blood, (3) the meat* of pigs, for it is contaminated, and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD.” If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Professing Disbelief
The Quran even permits believers to profess disbelief if they are forced to do so by circumstances. Such that if someone holds a gun to your head and orders you to declare that you disbelieve in God, you may grant him his wish.
16:106 Those who disbelieve in GOD, after having acquired faith, and become fully content with disbelief, have incurred wrath from GOD. The only ones to be excused are those who are forced to profess disbelief, while their hearts are full of faith.
Polygamy
In the case of polygamy, the Quran informs us that one can never be equitable with more than one wife, yet if the circumstances call for it for the sake of children without a father figure, polygamy is permitted.
4:3 If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.
4:129 You can never be equitable in dealing with more than one wife, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, do not be so biased as to leave one of them hanging (neither enjoying marriage, nor left to marry someone else). If you correct this situation and maintain righteousness, GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Believers Do Not Take God’s Grace Lightly
Some people might be tempted to exploit God’s grace to avoid abiding by His laws when it is inconvenient. However, this mindset reflects a complete misunderstanding of God. God knows what is in each person’s heart and is aware of their circumstances. While God allows individuals to use their discretion in decision-making, trying to take advantage of His grace only harms one’s own soul.
35:43 They resorted to arrogance on earth, and evil scheming, and the evil schemes only backfire on those who scheme them. Should they then expect anything but the fate of those who did the same things in the past? You will find that GOD’s system is never changeable; you will find that GOD’s system is immutable.
Summary
Believers are often reminded that God tests them with challenges to build their resilience and faith. These trials prepare us to face life’s obstacles with strength and grace, as true growth comes from overcoming difficulties. However, God understands that sometimes the ideal outcome isn’t possible. In these cases, He provides alternatives, allowing us to still receive His grace through compassion.
But how do we avoid using this as an excuse to fall short of the ideal and not exploit God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness? The answer lies in our intention and effort. If we strive to push beyond our comfort zones and genuinely aim to reach the ideal, then even if we fall short, we can confidently say we did our best. This genuine effort safeguards against exploiting God’s grace, as it reflects our sincere commitment to grow and improve in the cause of God.
94:5 With pain there is gain.
94:6 Indeed, with pain there is gain.
94:7 Whenever possible you shall strive.
94:8 Seeking only your Lord.