Hadith About the Nature of Islam: Easy

QUESTION:

Assalamu’alaikum ustadz.. Please explain this hadith..

From Abu Qatadah from a Bedouin, who heard the Prophet ﷺ say,

The best of your religions is the easiest. Indeed, the best of your religion is the easiest.

“Indeed, the best business for your religion is the easiest business, indeed the best business for your religion is the easiest business.”

(HR. Ahmad: 15371. Shaykh Syu’aib Al Arnauth said: hasan) (+62 812-7399-xxxx)

ANSWER

Wa’alaikumussalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh

This hadith explains one of the basic characteristics of Islam, namely al yusr (easy). This is as He said:

Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you.

Allah desires ease for you, and does not desire hardship for you.

-Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 185

Also from Aishah Radhiallahu ‘Anha:

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam was never given a choice between two things unless he chose the easier of the two, as long as it did not cause sin. If it is sin, then he is the person furthest from it.

“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ if faced with two things, he would choose the easier one, as long as he did not commit a sin, if it turned out he had sinned then he would be the person furthest away from it.” (HR. Al Bukhari 3560, 6126, 6786, Muslim No. 2327)

Therefore, in worship there is the law of RUKHSHAH, there is also the law of DHARURAT, which makes things that cannot be done in normal circumstances become permissible if conditions are difficult, narrow, abnormal.

What makes Islam DIFFICULT and HEAVY is that some Muslims themselves make things difficult for themselves and others.

Wallahu A’lam