What Does “Afford” Mean in the Verse: “Allah Does Not Require of Any Soul More Than What It Can Afford”?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What is meant by “afford” in Allah’s words: “Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford.”?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

Explanation of “Afford” in the Context of the Verse

Allah (Most High) says:

“Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford.” [Quran, 2:286]

The term “afford” here refers to what lies within a person’s ability and energy without undue hardship or distress.

Allah (Most High) does not impose obligations beyond a person’s strength. This is out of His kindness and mercy toward His servants.

Context and Reassurance to the Companions

This verse was revealed to bring reassurance to the Companions, who were initially apprehensive due to an earlier verse in which Allah (Most High) says:

“Whether you reveal what is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it.” [Quran, 2:284]

The Companions feared they might be held accountable for their inner thoughts and inclinations, which are beyond their control. This verse thus reassures that only what one has control over will be held accountable, not inner thoughts that cannot be fully restrained.

The Principle of Ease in Islamic Obligations

This principle of ease in the obligations of Islam is reflected throughout the Quran, such as in Allah’s words:

“Allah intends ease for you, not hardship.” [Quran, 2:185]

And,

“…for (it is) He (Who) has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion.” [Quran, 22:78].

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported the context of this verse’s revelation: When the verse “Whether you reveal what is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it.” was revealed, it greatly concerned the Companions. They went to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), knelt before him, and said,

“O Messenger of Allah, we have been commanded to perform acts we are capable of, like prayer, fasting, and charity. But now, this verse has been revealed, and we cannot handle it.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Do you wish to say as the people of the Book before you said: ‘We hear and disobey’? Rather, say: ‘We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord. To You is the final destination.’”

When they did so, their tongues softened, and they complied, Allah revealed:

“The Messenger (firmly) believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers.” [Quran, 2:285]

When they did so, Allah abrogated it and revealed,

“Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford.” [Quran, 2:286] [Ahmad]

Here, “abrogation” means that Allah removed what caused them apprehension. [Zuhayli, al-Tafsir al-Munir]

Conclusion

This verse provides profound guidance, encouraging Muslims not only to fulfill religious obligations but also as a principle to carry through all aspects of life.

And Allah knows best.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.