"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope".[Al-Baqarah: 286]

Many corrupt scholars use the above verse as a justification to mend or twist the commands of Allah swt according to their vain desires.

The Mufassir Ibn Kathir said about the ayah,

"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope" means, Allah does not ask a soul what is beyond its ability. This only demonstrates Allah's kindness, compassion and generosity towards His creation. This Ayah is the Ayah that abrogated the Ayah that worried the Companions, that is, Allah's statement,

"And whether you disclose what is in yourselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it."

This indicates that although Allah will question His servants and judge them, He will only punish for what one is able to protect himself from. As for what one cannot protect himself from, such as what one says to himself - or passing thoughts - they will not be punished for that. We should state here that to dislike the evil thoughts that cross one's mind is a part of faith.

This means that Allah will not question the Muslim’s about the thoughts they have about actions. It is similar to the hadith which also points to the effect that if a Muslim intended to do an evil action he will not be accounted for it until he does it, whilst a Muslim who intended to do good, he will be rewarded even if he did not achieve the good action. So for example a Muslim who intended to drink Khamr (intoxicants), he will not be accounted until he buys the Khamr or to drink the Khamr or to sell the Khamr etc. Whilst if he intended to visit his sick brother to please his lord alone, he will receive the reward for the intention even if he did not manage to meet his brother. A more pertinent example is the intention of a Muslim to fast the six voluntary fasts of Shawwal, if a Muslim did not complete the action but intended to do it, he will be rewarded for this. Although the accomplishment of the action does indeed increase his reward.

This is only with regards to the actions that Allah and His Messenger encourage, that is those actions that fall within the realm of the Mandubaat(reccommended) and Ta’aat, that is those actions where the failure to accomplish are not linked with the indication of Punishment by Allah.

When Allah obliges the Faraa’id (obligations) and warns the Muslims of the punishment of failing to accomplish them, intending to them is not enough. So if a Muslim intended to pray the Maghrib Salah, but failed to do so through a knowing negligence, he would deserve the punishment of Allah. Just as if a Muslim lived his life intending to work towards changing the situation of the Muslims from the life organised by the systems of Kuffr (disbelief) to a life and society built around Islam alone, but never took any serious steps to achieve this obligation, he would indeed deserve the punishment of Allah.

This verse also informs us that Allah is not unjust in imposing Ahkaam upon humanity which they are unable to fulfil, therefore when Allah legislates the Ahkaam, we are all able to live our lives by them.