‘Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity…’ (2:287) This Quranic verse explains that God does not give commandments which are beyond human capacity. Thus the responsibility of putting the commandments in practice is obvious and a believer cannot make excuses that such and such commandment is beyond his capacity. If we believe in God then it is an essential part of our belief that all He commands is within our capacity and we should make an effort to practice it in accordance with our individual capacity. Every human is different from the other in his mental and physical ability and in his knowledge and intellect. Thus God has made His commandments flexible in the sense that they have minimal as well as maximum standards of attainment which should be practiced with honesty. This leaves no room for objection that God has given someone a nature which does not correspond with God’s commandments. No one can say that God commands to attain the highest of standards while someone cannot attain them because they do not have the physical capacity or indeed mental capacity to do and have other weaknesses as well. By stating ‘Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity…’ God has removed all reasons for such excuses. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that God is High and Holy far above putting His creation through difficulty of abiding by commandments that are beyond its capacity. His commandments are not like human instructions put in place to generate kudos. God’s mercy and compassion for mankind is endless. When man acts upon God’s commandments he is rewarded manifold. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also said that the Shariah is based on mildness rather than harshness. Everyone will be dealt with in accordance to their individual capacities and every one apart from those mentally unwell has been given limitations according to their capacities. Thus a standard has been determined even for those with low intellect. Had this not been the case it would not have been essential for everyone to believe and only those of high intellect would have had to have belief. People have varying levels of intelligence; some have more capacities than others. This can be seen in worldly matters, some people have high level of ability, some have mediocre while some lag behind. Some people excel in one particular profession while others excel in another profession. In education people are inclined to different subjects. All these are natural aspects. All people are not the same. Neither God created them the same nor do circumstances allow them to be the same. Even with equal opportunities provided some people excel while other lag behind. Factors other than intelligence play their part in this. It is the same in matters of belief, some surpass others. It can be hoped that everyone would believe but it cannot be possible for everyone to have the same level of belief and practice. God does ask why people do not believe, however, the Holy Qur’an does not demand why are believers not like Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umer (may Allah be pleased with them). Hadith relates that a man asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) about Islam. He was told five daily Prayers are obligatory. He asked if there were any other Prayers. He was told no, but if he wanted to he would offer optional (nafl) Prayers. He was told fasting for one month was obligatory. He asked were there any other obligatory fasts? He was told, no, but if he wanted to, he could keep optional (nafl) fasts. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) then told him about Zakat. The man asked if there was any other kind of Zakat. He was told, no, but giving alms (sadqa) was a meritorious option. The man went away swearing by God that he would neither do any less nor any more than what he was told. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said if this man spoke the truth he has found succes