elderly men and women who cannot fast either at the prescribed time or later to make up missed days. They differed only over whether such people must compensate by feeding the needy. The majority, including Abū Hanīfah, al-Shāfi‘ī, and Ahmad, required this, whereas Mālik did not.
Likewise, they unanimously agree that Hajj is not obligatory for someone unable to perform it. Allah Most High says:
“Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by those who are able to undertake it.”
They differed, however, over whether this ability consists simply in possessing financial means, as held by al-Shāfi‘ī and Ahmad; or in being able to undertake it, even through physical ability alone, as held by Mālik; or whether both are necessary, as held by Abū Hanīfah. The former require a person prevented from performing Hajj (al-maghsūb) to appoint a proxy at his own expense, unlike the others.
Furthermore, it should be understood that, regarding the ability stipulated as a condition for commands and prohibitions, the Lawgiver does not consider mere capacity sufficient if exercising it entails harm. Rather, in many instances under the revealed law, someone who can perform an act only at the cost of suffering harm is treated as someone unable to perform it. Examples include purification with water, fasting during illness, standing in prayer, and other matters. This gives effect to the words of Allah Most High:
“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”
And His words:
“He has placed no hardship upon you in religion.”
And His words:
“Allah does not intend to impose hardship upon you.”
In the Sahīh, Anas reports that when the Bedouin urinated in the mosque, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Do not interrupt him”—that is, do not interrupt his urination—“for you have been sent to make things easy, not to make them difficult.”
It is likewise reported in the Sahīh that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent Mu‘ādh and Abū Mūsā to Yemen, he told them:
“Make things easy, and do not