In certain instances the Sharee‘ah (Islamic Law) seems to be very strict on its adherents. However, there are special cases that the law shows a fare amount of leniency. This is to indicate that the law recognizes genuine and natural circumstances of difficulty. The law is not as rigid as it appears to be. In fact there are certain principles based on Qur’aan and Sunan, that promotes the easiness and leniency of Islam and its Sharee‘ah. One such principle is as follows:
المَشَقَّة تَجْلِبُ التَّيْسِيْر
“Difficulty warrants ease’’
The above principle means that if difficulty exists then the law grants easiness in the form of a concession. An example of this principle is if a person is on travel the Sharee‘ah allows that person to shorten his/her prayers or if the same person is fasting, he/she is allowed to break fast. The allowance is given mainly because the law recognizes the hardships/difficulties in travel and therefore wants to facilitate ease in worship. Concessions (rukhas) in Islam are allowed to lighten ‘ibaadaat (acts of worship), mu‘aamalaat (transactional relationships), and other matters.
The above principle means that if difficulty exists then the law grants easiness in the form of a concession. An example of this principle is if a person is on travel the Sharee‘ah allows that person to shorten his/her prayers or if the same person is fasting, he/she is allowed to break fast. The allowance is given mainly because the law recognizes the hardships/difficulties in travel and therefore wants to facilitate ease in worship. Concessions (rukhas) in Islam are allowed to lighten ‘ibaadaat (acts of worship), mu‘aamalaat (transactional relationships), and other matters.
Islam is a way of life that promotes ease and not difficulty. There are numerous Aayaat and ahaadeeth that attests to this. After granting those on travel or ill, permission to break fast the Qur’aan reads,
(يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ) سورة البقرة ١٨٥
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…’’
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…’’In the above Aayaat Allah states clearly that He desires ease and not difficulty. To practice Islam is not supposed to be difficult. Thus the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) says in a hadeeth,
In the above Aayaat Allah states clearly that He desires ease and not difficulty. To practice Islam is not supposed to be difficult. Thus the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) says in a hadeeth,
“إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ” (البخاري)
“Surely the Deen (of Islam) is easy” (Bukhaari)
More specifically the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said,
«يَسِّرُوا وَلاَ تُعَسِّرُوا، وَسَكِّنُوا وَلاَ تُنَفِّرُوا» (مسلم)
“Treat the people with ease and don’t be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion’’ (Muslim )
On one occasion the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) sent Mu‘aadh and Aboo Moosaa to Yemen to teach the newly reverted Muslims and instructed them,
«بَشِّرَا وَلَا تُنَفِّرَا، يَسِّرَا وَلَا تُعَسِّرَا ، وَتَطَاوَعَا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفَا» (مسلم)
“Give the people glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion; treat them with ease and don’t be hard on them; and love each other and don’t differ’’ (Muslim)
The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) also said in another hadeeth, which also explains the easiness and simplicity of Islam,
بُعِثْتُ بالحَنيفِيَّةِ السَّمْحَة
“I was sent with the easy Hanafiyyah’’
The famous Islamic jurist, Imaam Maalik in light of the above, said, “If there is a necessity, the Deen of Allah is ease”. (Maalik)
(لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ) سورة البقرة ٢٨٦
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. (Soorat Al-Baqarah:286).
Allah has not placed anything of difficulty in the Deen. Regarding this the Qur’aan reads,
(هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ) سورة الحج: ٧٨
He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in religion (Deen) any difficulty. (Soorat Al-Hajj: 78)
Based on the foregoing Aayaat and ahaadeeth (Prophetic Traditions), Allah does not expect a person to go beyond his/her means. If a person is unable to carry out what the Sharee‘ah (Islamic Law) expects of him/her, due to illness or injury, or even old age, then the law grants a concession. The concession is referred to in Islamic Law as a rukhsah. This concession (rukhsah) is primarily based on the above principle, “difficulty warrants ease”. A rukhsah is therefore granted to facilitate ease under difficult circumstances. Concessions are generally granted in cases of illness, injury, old age or travel. This is to show that Islam is not a religion that is rigid in the application of its rules and regulations, but rather it allows concessions under difficult circumstances.
Regarding the concession granted for those on travel or ill during the fasting month of Ramadaan the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said,
«عَلَيْكُمْ بِرُخْصَةِ اللَّهِ الَّتِي رَخَّصَ لَكُمْ» (مسلم)
“Hold to Allah’s permission (rukhsah) that has been granted to you’’ (Muslim)
In the above hadeeth the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) uses the word rukhsah to make us aware of the concession that Allah has granted especially to those who are on travel or ill during the month of Ramadaan. In fact the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) has referred to the concession granted to the traveler in terms of shortening the prayer, as a gift from Allah . Thus,
«صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْبَلُوا صَدَقَتَهُ» (مسلم)
“It is a gift that Allah has bestowed upon you, so accept His gift.” (Muslim)
Islam recognizes the natural difficulties that a person undergoes. It therefore tries to make it easy for the person who is subjected to these difficult circumstances. In certain cases it becomes makrooh (reprehensible) or even haraam (prohibited) for a person who after a concession has been given, still insists on executing the act to its fullest.In fact if a
In fact if a person for example is given a concession not to fast but still insists on fasting even though his/her body is too weak, and by doing so he/she dies, he/she will be held accountable for his/her own death. This is totally against the Qur’aanic Aayaat which reads as follows,
(وَأَنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ) سورة البقرة ١٩٥
And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. (Soorat al-Baqarah: 195)
It is not proper for a person to go beyond his/her means especially if he/she has been granted a concession (rukhsah). A rukhsah is primary granted to a person to facilitate ease and if he/she refuses it due to stubbornness or ignorance it would be to his/her own detriment. One needs to understand that if there exist a special need then the Sharee‘ah is very easy. The whole principle of “difficulty warrants ease” is in line with a person’s fitrah – natural disposition. It is therefore against a person’s fitrah to go beyond his/her means, especially if the Sharee‘ah grants him/her a concession.
Finally, above everything one needs to realize that there is nothing difficult in the Deen of Islam. Whatever difficulties exist in Islam is due to our own application and inefficiencies. Both the Qur’aan and Sunan have emphasized the ease and simplicity of Islam. In fact the beauty of Islam lies in its simplicity and ease.
Rukhsah (concession) in Islam – Examples
The rukhas (concessions) that Islam makes, allow all Muslims to practice their religion with
ease and tranquility. This is evident in the concessions that Allah grants a Muslim in various areas such as; Salah, fasting, Hajj and ablution. Allah recognizes the difficulties and grants his beloved creations an opportunity to worship Him without hindrance or fear of rejection.
When the Salah is examined, it is clear that many difficulties have been removed depending on the situation at hand. A traveler is permitted to shorten his Salah in order to make his journey easier. This means that a Muslim may perform two raka‘aats instead of the obligatory four. Allah explains this in the Qur’aan:
(وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ) سورة النساء ١٠١
“And when you travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten the prayer.” (Soorat An-Nisaa :101)
The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said the following words when he was asked about shortening the prayer:
«صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْبَلُوا صَدَقَتَهُ» (البخاري ومسلم)
“It is a charity that Allah has given you, so accept His charity.” [al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
This was a common practice for the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his Companions followed his example. In the same way, Allah also allows a traveler to combine his prayers if necessary. It is also permissible for residents of a town to combine the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers in the Masjid during cases of high wind or intense rain . It is also permissible for the sick person to combine Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers, or the prayers of Maghrib and ‘Isha’. The reasons for these concessions is to ease the difficulties that the worshipper might face.
A perfect example of the way in which Allah makes concessions to aid the worshipper can be seen in the manner of prayer of the sick. When a sick person is not able to pray standing, then he may pray sitting. If he is unable to pray while sitting, then he may pray while lying on his side. If he is unable to pray while on his side, he may lie on his back and perform the prayers. From these concessions it becomes clear that Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.
Muslims are obligated to fast during the month of Ramadaan. Yet, when genuine reasons exist, a Muslim is exempt from fasting. The ill person who is not terminally ill, is allowed to break the Fast and is required to make up for missed days of Fasting. Allah says:
(فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ) سورة البقرة ١٨٤
“but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.” [Soorat al-Baqarah:184]
The traveler is allowed to break his fast if he travels as far as the distance that requires shortening of the prayer. He must make up the days that he has missed. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are allowed to break their fast if they fear for themselves, their infants or fetuses. Pregnant and breast-feeding women must make up for the missed days when their circumstances or conditions improve.
The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said:
“إن الله وضع عن المسافر الصوم وشطر الصلاة، وعن الحبلى والمرضع الصوم” (أحمد)
“Allah has relieved the traveler of the Fast and a part of the prayer, and has relieved the pregnant and the breast-feeding from the Fast.” [Ahmad]
Furthermore, elderly people, the terminally ill and all those who are in comparable situations are allowed to abstain from fasting. They do not have to make up for missed days, but are required to feed a poor person a Mudd of food. Allah says:
(وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ) سورة البقرة ١٨٤
“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have to feed a poor person as compensation.” [Soorat Al-Baqarah:184]
Allah’s infinite wisdom and love for His creations is evident in all of the concessions granted to Muslims. The sole intention is to ease the burden of the worshipper so that he/she is comforted in the knowledge that Allah is always fair and caring. It is also a direct lesson to all Muslims to understand that every individual has different circumstances and is able to function according to prevailing conditions. There are many other important areas in Islam where concessions are made to ease the difficulties of the believer. Every Muslim must perform ablution (wudhoo)before performing prayer (Salah). Allah grants concession (rukhas) to those who are ill in this case as well. Sometimes an ill person is unable to use water for purity or he fears for his safety or delayed recovery because of the water. He is then allowed to use the clean earth to perform Tayammum. Tayammum entails striking the earth with the two hands and then wiping the face and the palms. For Tayammum one can use stone walls or any such matter that produces dust when stroked. A muslim is even allowed to perform Tayammum with dust collected in a handkerchief or a garment. An ill person is required to clean his own body from all types of impurities. If one is unable to do so, he or she is allowed to pray in whatever condition he/she is. The ill person is also required to clean his clothes from all impurities and pray in a pure, clean surrounding. However, if this is not possible, he can pray in his clothes and pray wherever he is able to. Under all of these circumstances he does not have to repeat the prayer.
The Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and it is obligated upon every Muslim who is able to perform it. Concessions are made in many instances and in this way difficulties are eradicated. The person who has not reached puberty and the insane person, do not have to perform Hajj.Importantly, only those who have the necessary provisions and the means of transportation are obligated to perform the Hajj. The very poor and needy are then exempt from performing Hajj simply because they are financially unable to do so. Allah says
(اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ) سورة آل عمران ٩٧
“Whoever is able to find thereto a way”. [Soorat Aali ‘Imraan: 97]
As a part of the Hajj, one of the rituals is to remain at Muzdalifah overnight and proceed to Mina to throw pebbles at Al-‘Aqabah after sunrise. Yet, Allah makes it easier for the old, the weak, the women and children to pelt Al-‘Aqabah by allowing them to leave Muzdalifah during the night. They can then pelt Al-‘Aqabah during the night. In this way the difficulties of the pilgrims are eased. It is forbidden for the man who is in a state of Ihraam to cover his head or face with anything that can cling to it, such as a cap or turban. However, there is nothing wrong in sheltering oneself under the roof of a car or using an umbrella for shade. In the same way pilgrims can find shade in tents or under trees. If a pilgrim is unable to afford or find sandals, then he is permitted to wear shoes. The same type of ruling applies to the pilgrim was is old or unable to walk. He/she may use any other mode of transport such as a wheelchair or pushcart. In the time of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) people performed tawaaf on a donkey.
These concessions make life easier for those who are not fortunate enough to have all things at their disposal or in their favor. There are numerous cases in Islam where Allah eradicates all hindrances for a Muslim. In this way no Muslim is exempt from performing and adhering to all the pillars of Islam. Allah does not intend to harm a believer and opens a way for each person to fulfill all his /her commitments. Once again, it shows that Islam is not a forceful religion which disregards the conditions of people. Islam is a religion of ease and tranquility. This is largely due to the concessions (rukhas) that are made for the benefit of all Muslims.
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Resource:
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ICO’s Publications – Islamic Studies curriculum – Grade 10/ Part2
https://www.iconetwork.com/product/islamic-studies-grade-10-students-textbook/