the evidence indicating their lawfulness, his inability becomes a cause of their being forbidden to those who fall short in obedience to Allah. Likewise, they have believed many transactions they need—such as leasing orchards, partnerships, and others—to be forbidden, because the evidence of religious law was obscure to them. Thus, these transactions became forbidden for them on the strength of what they took to be evidence.

This is like a person being punished by being kept unaware of wholesome food and drink that are available and within his reach, if only he knew of them; yet, as a punishment, he remains unaware of them. Indeed, a servant is deprived of provision because of a sin he commits. Allah Most High has said:

“Whoever fears Allah, He will make a way out for him”

“and provide for him from where he does not expect.”

He, glorified be He, has guaranteed that things will take their proper and sound course only for those who fear Him, just as He has guaranteed this to those who fear Him.

It thus becomes clear that members of this community who fall short in obedience to Him may be held accountable for mistakes and forgetfulness, without any abrogation having occurred after the Messenger. This is because they do not know of the ease the Messenger brought, nor do the scholars among them know of it. Hence, many who do not shorten their prayers while travelling also consider it forbidden not to fast while travelling. They therefore fast despite the great hardship this causes them. This is a punishment for falling short in obedience; nevertheless, it is also a means by which Allah expiates some of their sins, just as He expiates the believers’ sins through the other afflictions of this world.