Can You Explain the Quranic Words of Ease Coming after Hardship?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

We believe there is ease after every hardship. Can a hardship last the whole life of a Muslim and ease be granted after death? Or is the ease promised for this world? I would appreciate it if you explain it as regards a female who finds it difficult to get married and someone who suffers from any mental illness.

Answer

Thank you for your question.

Tafsir

The verses of the Quran that you mention are as follows:

“So, undoubtedly, along with the hardship, there is ease. Surely with (that) hardship comes (more) ease. [Quran, 94:5-6]

It says in one exegesis of verse 5:

“Truly with hardship comes ease; the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) suffered much hardship at the hands of the disbelievers, but then he enjoyed ease when he was assisted to victory by God over them. [Suyuti, Tafsir al-Jalalayn]

Imam al-Baghawi in his magnum opus, Tafsir al-Baghawi, says regarding these two verses:

“Indeed, along with difficulty for the believer in this world, there is an ease in the hereafter. He may perhaps have two times of ease, ease in this world, and that is what is meant in the first verse (verse 5), and also ease in the hereafter, that is what is meant in the second verse (verse 6) . And the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘A hardship cannot overcome two eases.’

This means that hardship cannot overcome both times of ease that are promised to the believers, the ease in this world, nor the ease that is promised to them in the next world. Hardship can only overcome one of them. As for the ease of the next world, it is permanent, without end, meaning that they cannot both be overtaken by hardship (…)”

Difficulty

As for the difficulty of not being married yet and dealing with mental illness, one should not lose hope. One should continuously strive with supplication to Allah Most High and use the practical tools that one can access now. Keeping oneself busy with good works, patience, service, and seeking beneficial skills and knowledge is key. Seeing a professional mental health worker is also important.

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.