And the correct view, as indicated by the Quran and Sunnah, is that capacity precedes the action and also accompanies it. The action is also accompanied by another capacity that is applicable to no other action. Capacity is thus of “two kinds”: a prior capacity that allows for either of two opposite acts, and an accompanying capacity that exists only alongside the action. The former makes the action possible and allows it to occur; the latter necessitates the action and ensures its occurrence.

Concerning the first, Allah Most High says:

“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by those who are able to undertake it.”

If this capacity existed only alongside the action, Hajj would be obligatory only upon those who performed it. No one would sin by neglecting Hajj, nor would it be obligatory upon anyone before entering its state of consecration—indeed, before completing it.

Allah Most High also says:

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

He thus commands people to fear Him to the extent of their capacity. Had He meant the capacity accompanying the action, no one would be required to fear Allah beyond what he actually did, since that alone was accompanied by such capacity.

Allah Most High says:

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”

“Capacity” means what lies within the soul’s scope: what it can encompass and bear. If this meant the capacity accompanying the action, no one would be charged with anything beyond the action he actually performed, to the exclusion of the duties he left undone.

Allah Most High says:

“Whoever cannot find [a slave to free] must fast for two consecutive months before the two touch one another. But whoever is unable must feed sixty needy people.”

What is meant here is the capacity preceding the action. Otherwise, the meaning would be: whoever does not fast must feed sixty needy people. Feeding them would then be permissible for anyone who did not fast, and fasting would not be obligatory upon anyone until he actually performed it.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

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

If only the capacity accompanying the action were intended, the meaning would be: “Do of it what you have done”