The principle of being easy is well founded in Islam...

The principle of being easy is well founded in Islam, and there are at least three ways or means for easiness. For example, 1) giving (money, time, knowledge, work, etc.), 2) piety or taqwa (God consciousness), and 3) agreeing with whatever is good.

The Qur’an (92:5-7) sums it up by stating, “As for him who gives and is Godwary and confirms the best promise, We shall surely ease him into facility.” If you follow these principles, then life will be easy for you and you can maintain easiness with others. However, on the other hand, the Qur’an (92:8-10) states, “But as for him who is stingy and self-complacent, and denies the best promise, We shall surely ease him into hardship.” Easiness is a blessing of Allah (the All-Merciful).

There are people who are always worried about every little thing. They may have nice cars, but they are always worried if those cars will be stolen or scratched. Even if someone says salam (Islamic greeting of peace) to them, they become worried asking themselves, “What does he want now?” What kind of life is that? No, one needs to be patient and at ease. The Qur’an (41:34-35) states: Good and evil [conduct] are not equal. Repel [evil] with what is best.

[If you do so,] behold, he between whom and you was enmity, will be as though he were a sympathetic friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the greatly endowed. (See Jalali, page 443). Forgiveness is also very important in regards to ease. The Qur’an (7:199) states, “Adopt [a policy of] excusing [the faults of people], bid what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” Generally, always forgive.

Forgiveness is great for many reasons, and if you do not forgive, you really bother yourself. Allah (the All-Wise) addresses (peace be upon him and his family) as stated in the Qur’an (3:159) : It is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them; and had you been harsh and hardhearted, surely they would have scattered from around you. So excuse them, and plead for forgiveness for them, and consult them in affairs, and once you are resolved, put your trust in Allah.

Here, forgiveness and consultation are stressed. Consultation embraces the idea of inclusion versus exclusion. Even if you do not follow the advice of others, the simple fact of including them makes a significant difference in situations. Inclusion may solve many problems, and exclusion may cause many problems.