The Prophet Said : "Religion Is Very Easy And Whoever Overburdens Himself In His Religion Will Not Be

The Prophet ﷺ said : "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights."

—Sahih al-Bukhari 39

• Make religion easy for you

• Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

• Make morning/evening azkars your best friend.

• Don't become an extremist

"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."

—Prophet Idris عليه السلام

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' "

—Sahih al-Bukhari 7405

Allah has not accepted my dua. Is He upset with me?

We often pray for ourselves, but sometimes it feels like our prayers are not being answered. This can be frustrating, and we may wonder, "Have I done something wrong? Why doesn't Allah respond to my prayers?"

It's crucial to understand that whether our prayers are answered quickly or take time, it doesn't mean Allah is either happy or upset with us. Many people, including great prophets, have faced similar situations. Take the example of Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him).

Think about the intense prayers Prophet Nuh made for his son and wife during the 950 years he spent calling people to Islam. Even though he faced disrespect and dishonor from his own people, he still fervently prayed for their guidance.

The fact that his son and wife didn't change over all those years doesn't mean Allah was angry with Prophet Nuh. Similarly, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made numerous supplications, and despite praying for his family, not everyone he loved was guided.

In our lives, problems persist – be it family issues, health challenges, or difficulties finding a job. Financial struggles may add to the stress. Despite praying sincerely and even engaging in acts like I'tikaf, the problems may not disappear overnight. This doesn't mean Allah is upset; it's a test we face.

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اَطِيْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَهٗ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَاَنْتُمْ تَسْمَعُوْنَ ۚۖ

O believers! Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn away from him while you hear ˹his call˺.

—Surah Anfal [8:20]

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ"‏ مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ ‏"‏ يَعْنِي الْعَشْرَ ‏.‏ قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: ‏"‏ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِشَىْءٍ ‏"‏

“There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.”

—Sunan Ibn Majah 1727

Indeed in the remembrance of Allāh ﷻ, the peace of every creature relies. I have noticed that whenever I keep my heart and mouth moist in the remembrance of my Lord— my anguish, worries and anxiety rolls over as if it never existed in the first place. Not that the problem has forever wiped its existence, and not that it is impossible for my Rabb to make it happen, but the way I approach it now changes the entire plot.

أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ

أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ

أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللّٰهَ

Keep repeating this dhikr like a chant. Ask for forgiveness whenever you can. Acknowledge that all human beings are born to err, and our Lord ﷻ loves to forgive us. Indeed, he is Al Gafoor.