and His words are evidence that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity: it will have what it has earned, and bear what it has incurred. Other evidence likewise shows that Allah Most High does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.

Capacity is what the soul can accommodate without being constrained or rendered incapable. Thus wusʿ (capacity) is a verbal noun used in a passive sense, like juhd (exertion).

This is also consistent with His words, Most High:

“He has placed no hardship upon you in religion.” [Sūrat al-Hajj 78]

And His words:

“Allah intends ease for you, not hardship.” [Sūrat al-Baqarah 185]

And His words:

“Allah does not intend to place you in hardship.” [Sūrat al-Māʾidah 6]

Hardship means constriction. He thus denies that they are subjected to constriction—that is, to anything that leaves them insufficient room—just as He has stated that He does not burden the soul beyond what it can accommodate. Obligations and prohibitions must therefore fall within the soul’s capacity, so that a person can comply with them. What is permissible must also provide sufficient scope for a person, without constricting him, so that the permissible affords him enough room, accommodates him, and sustains him without constraint.

Consider the distinction between what a person can accommodate—the capacity referred to in His words:

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” [Sūrat al-Baqarah 286]

—and what accommodates a person without imposing hardship upon him: those permissible things that he cannot do without. This also concerns the manner of performing what is commanded, as in ablution and prayer. The manner sufficient to discharge his duty must afford him adequate scope, while what is obligatory for him must be within his capacity