The Gracious, Easy and Luminous Path

On the basis of this ease (sahoolat) [in the Shariat]  Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) says with pride for the Shariat:

اَلسَّمْحَةُ السَّهْلَةُ الْبَيْضَآءُ

Translation: “A luminous and easy path in which there is no difficulty.”

بَيْضَآء  which means white and luminous indicates the basis of the ease, and knowledge is meant by it. In other words, the knowledge (Ilm) of this Path and this Way of Islam is simple for all, just as something white and luminous is plain for everyone to see.

And سَمْحَةٌ سَهْلَةٌ which mean magnanimous and ease indicate the practicality of the Shariat.

In short, it is easy in understanding and practice.

In view of this ease, the gist of the Shariat is a Divine Will of Mercy (Rahmah) [to mankind]. Hence, such a Law was decreed. Allah Ta’ala mentions this and says:

وَلَوْ اَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ اَنِ اقْتُلُوْۤا اَنْفُسَكُمْ اَوِ اخْرُجُوْا مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ

مَّا فَعَلُوْهُ اِلَّا قَلِيْلٌ مِّنْهُمْ

“Had We ordained upon them self-extermination or self-exile [for their transgression and sin] they would not have carried out the Order, save a few of among them.”

This explicitly shows that the gist of the Shariat is a Divine Will of Mercy. If there had been difficulties in it, few would have practised upon it. And mercy is for the one practising; thus, in this case divine mercy would be the lot of only a handful of people.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was, by nature and disposition, extremely gentle. His laws are thus gentle and easy.

Ease is a great ni’mat (bounty). The injunctions (Ahkaam) ordained for this Ummat are exceptionally easy. Accordingly, the lunar calculation of months has been established which is based on sighting of the moon. Through sighting, the month will sometimes be 29 days and sometimes 30.

(Awdul Eid)