فَإِنَّ مَعَ العُسرِ يُسرًا

Indeed ease accompanies hardship.

EXEGESIS

ʿUsr (hardship) means tightness, difficulty, and strain.^{‎[1]Lisan, 4/563.} Hence, it has been interpreted as the lack of provision and amenities in one’s life and work.^{‎[2]Ayn, 1/326.} Yusr is its exact opposite and means ease and facility.

EXPOSITION

Although some exegetes maintain that this verse refers to the financial challenges that the Prophet faced towards his mission, the generalisability of the verse includes all different types of challenges he was facing.^{‎[3]Nemuneh, 27/127.} Moreover, the tone of the verse is general and is not limited to the Prophet and his time only. Rather, it highlights a general principle that if any sincere pious individual works hard, following the difficulties they face, ease will follow.

It is worth mentioning that the verse does not state that the ease comes after hardship, but states that it accompanies (maʿa) hardship. The term maʿa is used to highlight that ease is so very close, and from the moment of enduring hardships, ease gradually follows.^{‎[4]Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.} This is the promise of God which delights the heart of every believer.^{‎[5]Nemuneh, 27/127.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It has been narrated from the Holy Prophet: ‘Know that difficulties are followed by ease, and patience with victory, and sadness and sorrow are followed by happiness.’^{‎[6]Nur, 5/604.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

In this verse God gives glad tidings to His Prophet that he should not worry because the difficulties and challengers will not last for long.^{‎[7]Nemuneh, 27/127.} Kalbī maintains that the verse means: following poverty wealth will come about (so there is ease after hardship).^{‎[8]Tabrisi, 10/771.} The author of Aḥsan al-Ḥadīth adds that verses 3 and 4 are the evidence for this verse and the verse that follows.^{‎[9]Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.}

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.^{‎[10]Psalms 30:5.}
2. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.^{‎[11]Lamentations 3:32.}

[1] Lisan, 4/563.
[2] Ayn, 1/326.
[3] Nemuneh, 27/127.
[4] Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.
[5] Nemuneh, 27/127.
[6] Nur, 5/604.
[7] Nemuneh, 27/127.
[8] Tabrisi, 10/771.
[9] Ahsan al-Hadith, 12/274.
[10] Psalms 30:5.
[11] Lamentations 3:32.