On Ease
by Ustaz Haziq Halim
Education Coordinator
15 min read time
ARABIC is a systematic language composing of words derived from root letters. Most of the words are based on a combination of three letters that together form a root, with each root representing a different meaning. By applying different vowels and set patterns to these roots, one can derive dozens of related words.
In this issue, we will ponder upon the ayah in the Quran:
﴾فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿الشرح ٥
Surely, with (every) difficulty comes ease.
The word, يُسْر in the ayah, is a combination of the root letters, ي - س - ر, which denotes the meaning of ease, relief, facility and comfort. By adding the ‘’nutrients’’ of vowels and patterns, just look at some of the words sprouted out from the roots:
One question that might come to mind is: What does “ease” have to do with the left hand, being rich, gambling and small quantities? Let’s find out!
Part 1: The Base Meanings - When Roots Grow into Saplings
First, it is important to understand that when the roots letters, ي - س - ر are combined, we get three basic verbs with slightly different pronunciation:
يَسِرَ - يَسَرَ – يَسُرَ
One of their common primary meanings is “to be easy”. For example:
يَسُرَ العَملُ
The work is easy.
From these verbs, nouns can be derived to mean “ease”. For example:
(يُسْرٌ (يَسُرَ
Ease (from “to be easy”)
In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185, Allah s.w.t. said: