Being Easy on People
Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi
The Ideal Muslim
© 1999 IIPH
The true Muslim is easy on people and not hard, because the attitude of the believer is always to make things easy. This is what Allah wants for His servants:
"…Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties.." [Qur’an 2:185]
Therefore the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam encouraged the Muslims to be easy on people, and forbade them to make things difficult:
"Teach and make things easy, do not make them difficult. If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
No one would want to make things difficult and complicate matters except the person who is twisted and mean-spirited, and whose education is lacking. The straightforward person whose Islamic education is sound does not like difficulties and complications, and does not do anything to hinder the bringing of benefits to others. He follows the examples of the Prophet, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, as reported by `Aa’ishah:
"The Messenger of Allah was never faced with the choice between two things but he took the easier of the two, so long as it was not a sin. If it was a sin, he would be the furtherst of the people from it. And the Messenger of Allah never took revenge for himself, but if the bounds of Allah were transgressed, then he would take revenge for the sake of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet fully understood the weakness of people and their different levels and potentials for patience and moral excellence. He knew that nothing is better for them than being easy with them, and nothing puts them off or hurts them more than making things too difficult for them. So he chose the easier option, within the framework of what is permitted according to the Shari`ah, and made it a way of life for the Muslim so that they would be free of the burden of having things made too difficult for them.
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