the prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah in devout obedience.”

“If you fear danger, then pray on foot or riding. But when you are safe, remember Allah as He has taught you what you did not know.”

Allah has thus made prayer obligatory upon those who are safe and those who are afraid, the healthy and the sick, the rich and the poor, residents and travellers. He has eased its requirements for travellers, those in fear, and the sick, as explained in the Book and Sunnah.

Likewise, He has prescribed requirements for prayer, including purification, covering oneself, and facing the direction of prayer, while waiving whatever a person is unable to fulfil. Thus, if people are shipwrecked or robbers strip them of their clothes, they should pray naked as their circumstances allow, with their imam standing among them so that the others do not see his private parts. If they are uncertain of the direction of prayer, they should do their utmost to determine it from the available signs. If no signs can be discerned, they should pray in whatever direction they can, as it is reported that people did during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

The same applies to jihad, positions of authority, and all other religious matters. All of this is encompassed by the words of Allah Most High:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

And by the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“When I command you to do something, do as much of it as you are able.”

Likewise, when Allah Most High prohibited unwholesome foods, He said:

“But whoever is compelled by necessity, neither desiring it nor exceeding the limit, incurs no sin.”

Allah Most High also says:

“He has placed no hardship upon you in religion.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Allah does not intend to place upon you any