comes ease”—that is, together with the hardship which a believer endures in this world, there is ease for him in the Hereafter. Thus, he may be granted both eases: the ease of this world, which He mentioned in the first verse, and the ease of the Hereafter, which He mentioned in the second verse. Therefore, his statement: “One hardship will never overcome two eases,” means that the hardship of this world will not overcome the ease He promised the believers in this world and the ease He promised them in the Hereafter. It can only overcome one of them—the ease of this world. As for the ease of the Hereafter, it is everlasting and never ceases. That is, the hardship cannot overcome them both, just as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The two months of Eid do not decrease.” (1) That is, they do not both occur with fewer than thirty days.

“Then, when you are free, strive hard.” (7)

“Then, when you are free, strive hard,” that is, exert yourself; naṣab means weariness. Ibn Abbas, Qatadah, al-Dahhak, Muqatil, and al-Kalbi said: “When you have finished the prescribed prayer, exert yourself in supplication to your Lord and earnestly beseech Him; He will grant you what you ask.” (2)

Abd al-Wahhab ibn Mujahid narrated from his father, who said: “When you have prayed, strive earnestly in supplication and beseeching.” (3)

Ibn Masud said: “When you have completed the obligatory acts of worship, exert yourself in standing for prayer at night.” (4)

Al-Shabi said: “When you have finished the tashahhud, supplicate for your worldly life and your Hereafter.”

Al-Hasan and Zayd ibn Aslam said: “When you have finished striving against your enemy, exert yourself in the worship of your Lord.” (5)

Mansur narrated from Mujahid: “When you have finished with the affairs of this world, exert yourself in the worship of your Lord and pray.” (6)

Hayyan narrated from al-Kalbi: “When you have finished conveying the message, strive hard”—that is, seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believers.