يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنكُمْ ۚ وَخُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًا 28
Translations
And Allāh wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak.
Transliteration
Yurid allahu an yukhaffifa ankum wa khuliq al-insanu da'ifah
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah intends to ease the burden upon you in His legislation and commandments, for mankind was created inherently weak in body, mind, and spirit. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah serves as a divine reassurance that the Shariah is designed with human capacity and limitation in mind, reflecting Allah's mercy (rahmah) in legislation. The weakness mentioned encompasses physical frailty, susceptibility to temptation, and limited knowledge—all factors that Allah considers in revealing His laws.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of marital and family matters, particularly regarding financial obligations and inheritance. It provides theological justification for the various concessions and lighter rulings granted in Islamic law, emphasizing that the divine legislation is calibrated to human capability rather than placing unbearable burdens upon the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The religion is easy, and no one makes the religion difficult except it will overwhelm him' (Sahih Bukhari 39). Additionally, 'Allah loves that His concessions (rukhsah) are taken just as He loves that His obligatory duties are performed' (Musnad Ahmad and others).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Islamic law is fundamentally a mercy suited to human capacity, encouraging us to recognize Allah's compassion in His commandments and to approach our religious obligations with confidence rather than despair. It also reminds us to be merciful to ourselves and others, acknowledging human limitations while striving for spiritual growth.
Related Ayahs
إِن يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ إِنَـٰثًا وَإِن يَدْعُونَ إِلَّا شَيْطَـٰنًا مَّرِيدًا
They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan,
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ ثَوَابُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allāh is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allāh Hearing and Seeing.
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muḥammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
But they who believe in Allāh and His messengers and do not discriminate between any of them - to those He is going to give their rewards. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.