In Surah Inshirah we see that this verse is repeated twice. One of the principles which we must understand to successfully pass the test of this life is that this life is a life of tests. We face difficulties every day and if we don’t realise that these difficulties are only temporary, then it is very easy to fall into despair. When people face difficult times or calamities, they go crazy, and some of them commit suicide. This is a very common reaction. Every week we read about someone tying a rope around his neck and hanging themselves from a ceiling fan. Most of the people doing this are Hindus, one may wonder why? This is because they have in their religion a classical trick of Shaytan – an idea which is distorted and ensures that they will not inherit Paradise. He tricked them into believing that when you die you come back again continually forever like a wheel; living and dying continuously. This is called reincarnation. If things don’t go well in this life you have another chance. You come back and you have a better chance at life. This promotes their suicidal tendencies. It’s a trick of Shaytan. They will be in for a big shock when they actually die and leave this world. There are many cases where circumstances arise and people do all sort of crazy acts believing that these calamities cannot be overcome. However, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) tells us here that with every difficulty comes ease. Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says elsewhere in the Qur’an:

“…..No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear….” [2]

The tests of this life are never greater than what you can handle. This is the promise of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). This is because Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) cannot give you a test greater than your ability and then punish you on the day of judgement for not passing it. This will be injustice. Allah is fair and just. He has designed for every human being the appropriate problem, problems that will help each individual grow spiritually. That’s what the tests of this life is about; spiritual growth. We grow spiritually stronger when we put our trust in Allah, do our best that we can and then bear the difficulties that occur. We will be able to deal with the problems of this life. Allah affirms twice that the difficulties of this life will never overcome the ease that comes after. We should hold firm to our belief and know that Allah will remove whatever burdens or difficulties we are facing after sometime but we are only rewarded if we are patient at the time when the difficulty comes.

By Dr. Philps