between that by which the oath is sworn and that which the oath affirms. This is part of the Quran’s eloquence. The meaning is that the differences between night and day and between male and female are manifest and unmistakable. Likewise, the deeds of Allah’s servants vary widely: some are righteous, some corrupt, and some combine righteousness with corruption. All of this occurs by the decree of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, and Allah guides whomever He wills to a straight path.

He then detailed these diverse endeavors, saying: ﴿As for one who gives, is mindful of Allah, and affirms what is best, We shall ease him toward ease.﴾

﴿As for one who gives﴾ means that he gives what he has been commanded to give, whether wealth, influence, or knowledge. ﴿And is mindful of Allah﴾ means that he avoids the forbidden things he has been commanded to avoid. ﴿And affirms what is best﴾ means that he affirms the finest word: the word of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, and the word of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, for the truest and finest speech is the speech of Allah, Glorious and Exalted.

﴿We shall ease him toward ease﴾: Here the letter sīn conveys certainty. That is, whoever gives, is mindful of Allah, and affirms what is best will be granted ease by Allah, Glorious and Exalted, in all his affairs—both religious and worldly. Thus, you find that the person whose deeds come most easily is the one who is mindful of Allah, Glorious and Exalted—the one who gives, is mindful of Allah, and affirms what is best. The more mindful a person is of Allah, the easier his affairs become. Allah Most High says: ﴿Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make his affairs easy for him.﴾ [al-Talāq: 4].

Conversely, the further a person is from Allah, the greater the hardship he experiences in his affairs. He therefore says: ﴿But as for one who is miserly﴾ and does not give what he has been commanded to give, ﴿and considers himself self-sufficient﴾—regarding himself as independent of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, and failing to fear his Lord; rather, he deems himself to have no need of Allah’s mercy—﴿and denies what is best﴾, meaning the finest word: the word of Allah Most High and the word of His Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family, ﴿We shall ease him toward hardship.﴾ He will be eased toward hardship in all his affairs.

Satan, however, may come to a person and say, “We see that the unbelievers’ affairs are made easy for them.” The reply is: Yes, their affairs may be made easy, but their hearts burn with fire, distress, and constriction, as Allah Most High says: ﴿Whomever He wills to lead astray, He makes his breast tight and constricted, as though he were climbing