Living The Quran
From Issue: 966 [Read full issue]
Capacity
Al-Baqara (The Cow) Sura 2: Verse 286 (partial)
"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear"
This verse is meant to underline the important fact that although the responsibility to hear and to respond reposed in this community is an onerous one, equally great is the mercy and compassion of Allah: Allah never burdens Allah's servants with anything more than they can bear. Everyone is responsible as far as they have the capacity to shoulder a responsibility, and they will not be held accountable for what is beyond their power. All rules and laws of the Shariah are based on this principle which allows concessions to individuals facing genuine hardships or constraints. Allah does not like that Allah's servants should encumber themselves with burdens that they cannot bear, nor is it permissible for anyone else to burden them with what they are unable to bear.
It is also worth bearing in mind at this point that, as reported in ahadith, whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) took a pledge from his companions to hear and to obey him, he would himself add the words: "to the best of (your) ability". This was a practical implementation of this verse. The concession and the glad tidings in it for the believers is quite obvious, especially at a time when the responsibilities for a most glorious Shariah were being passed on to them.
Compiled From:
"Pondering Over The Qur'an: Surah al-Fatiha and Surah al-Baqarah" - Amin Ahsan Islahi