And seek help in patience and as-Salât (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-Khâshi'ûn. (They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return.
[Sûrah al-Baqarah (2):45-46]
Allâh commanded His servants to use patience and prayer to acquire the good of this life and the Hereafter. Muqâtil bin Hayan said that this آyah means, "Utilize patience and the obligatory prayer in seeking the Hereafter. As for patience (here), they say that it means fasting." There are similar texts reported from Mujâhid. Al-Qurtubî and other scholars commented, "This is why Ramadân is called the month of patience," as is mentioned in the Hadîth literature. It was also said that 'patience' in the آyah means, refraining from evil, and this is why 'patience' was mentioned along with practicing acts of worship, especially and foremost, the prayer. Also, Ibn Abî Hâtim narrated that 'Umar bin al-Khattâb said, "There are two types of patience: good patience when the disaster strikes, and a better patience while avoiding the prohibitions of Allâh." Ibn Abî Hâtim said that al-Hasan al-Basrî was reported to have said similarly.
Allâh then said, "And as-Salâh ... "
The prayer is one of the best means of assistance for firmly adhering to Allâh's orders, Just as Allâh said:
"Recite (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur'ân), and perform as-Salâh. Verily, as-Salâh (the prayer) prevents from al-Fahshâ' (i.e. great sins of every kind), and al-Munkar and the remembrance of (praising) of (you by) Allâh is greater indeed." (29:45)
The personal pronoun in the آyah, " ... and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard ... " refers to prayer, as Mujâhid is reported to have said, and it was also the choice of Ibn Jarîr. It is possible that the pronoun might be referring to the advice to observe patience and the prayer - mentioned in the same آyah. Similarly, Allâh said about Qarûn (Korah):
"But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: 'Woe to you! The reward of Allâh (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this, none shall attain except as-Sâbirûn (the patient).' " (28:80)
Also, Allâh said:
"The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient ـ and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter and) in this world." (41:34-35)
Meaning, this advice is only implemented by those who are patient and the fortunate. In any case, Allâh's statement here means, prayer is 'heavy and burdensome'.
" ... except for Al-Khâshi'în."
Ibn Abî Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbâs commented on this آyah, "They (al-Khâshi'în) are those who believe in what Allâh has revealed.''
Allâh's statement:
"They are those who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return."
... continues the subject that was started in the previous آyah. Therefore, the prayer, or the advice to observe it is heavy, "... except for al-Khâshi`în. (They are those) who are certain (Yazunnûna) that they are going to meet their Lord ... ", meaning, they know that they will be gathered and face their Lord on the Day of Resurrection, " ... and that unto Him they are going to return.", meaning, their affairs are all subject to His will and He justly decides what He wills. Since they are certain that they will be returned to Allâh and be reckoned, it is easy for them to perform the acts of obedience and refrain from the prohibitions. Ibn Jarîr commented on Allâh's statement:
"Yazunnûna that they are going to meet their Lord ... " Ibn Jarîr said, "The Arabs call certainty as well as doubt, dhann. There are similar instances in the Arabic language where a subject as well as its opposite share the same name. For instance, Allâh said, "And the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners), shall see the Fire and dhannû (apprehend) that they have to fall therein." (18:53). It is recorded in the Sahîh that on the Day of Resurrection, Allâh will say to a servant, "Have I not allowed you to marry, honoured you, made the horses and camels subservient to you and allowed you to become a chief and a master," He will say, "Yes." Allâh will say, "Did you have dhann (think) that you will meet Me," He will say, "No." Allâh will say, "This Day, I will forget you, just as you forgot Me." "
Source: Excerpted from 'Tafsîr ibn Kathîr' (summarised)
[Sûrah al-Baqarah (2):45-46]
Allâh commanded His servants to use patience and prayer to acquire the good of this life and the Hereafter. Muqâtil bin Hayan said that this آyah means, "Utilize patience and the obligatory prayer in seeking the Hereafter. As for patience (here), they say that it means fasting." There are similar texts reported from Mujâhid. Al-Qurtubî and other scholars commented, "This is why Ramadân is called the month of patience," as is mentioned in the Hadîth literature. It was also said that 'patience' in the آyah means, refraining from evil, and this is why 'patience' was mentioned along with practicing acts of worship, especially and foremost, the prayer. Also, Ibn Abî Hâtim narrated that 'Umar bin al-Khattâb said, "There are two types of patience: good patience when the disaster strikes, and a better patience while avoiding the prohibitions of Allâh." Ibn Abî Hâtim said that al-Hasan al-Basrî was reported to have said similarly.
Allâh then said, "And as-Salâh ... "
The prayer is one of the best means of assistance for firmly adhering to Allâh's orders, Just as Allâh said:
"Recite (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur'ân), and perform as-Salâh. Verily, as-Salâh (the prayer) prevents from al-Fahshâ' (i.e. great sins of every kind), and al-Munkar and the remembrance of (praising) of (you by) Allâh is greater indeed." (29:45)
The personal pronoun in the آyah, " ... and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard ... " refers to prayer, as Mujâhid is reported to have said, and it was also the choice of Ibn Jarîr. It is possible that the pronoun might be referring to the advice to observe patience and the prayer - mentioned in the same آyah. Similarly, Allâh said about Qarûn (Korah):
"But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: 'Woe to you! The reward of Allâh (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this, none shall attain except as-Sâbirûn (the patient).' " (28:80)
Also, Allâh said:
"The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient ـ and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter and) in this world." (41:34-35)
Meaning, this advice is only implemented by those who are patient and the fortunate. In any case, Allâh's statement here means, prayer is 'heavy and burdensome'.
" ... except for Al-Khâshi'în."
Ibn Abî Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbâs commented on this آyah, "They (al-Khâshi'în) are those who believe in what Allâh has revealed.''
Allâh's statement:
"They are those who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return."
... continues the subject that was started in the previous آyah. Therefore, the prayer, or the advice to observe it is heavy, "... except for al-Khâshi`în. (They are those) who are certain (Yazunnûna) that they are going to meet their Lord ... ", meaning, they know that they will be gathered and face their Lord on the Day of Resurrection, " ... and that unto Him they are going to return.", meaning, their affairs are all subject to His will and He justly decides what He wills. Since they are certain that they will be returned to Allâh and be reckoned, it is easy for them to perform the acts of obedience and refrain from the prohibitions. Ibn Jarîr commented on Allâh's statement:
"Yazunnûna that they are going to meet their Lord ... " Ibn Jarîr said, "The Arabs call certainty as well as doubt, dhann. There are similar instances in the Arabic language where a subject as well as its opposite share the same name. For instance, Allâh said, "And the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners), shall see the Fire and dhannû (apprehend) that they have to fall therein." (18:53). It is recorded in the Sahîh that on the Day of Resurrection, Allâh will say to a servant, "Have I not allowed you to marry, honoured you, made the horses and camels subservient to you and allowed you to become a chief and a master," He will say, "Yes." Allâh will say, "Did you have dhann (think) that you will meet Me," He will say, "No." Allâh will say, "This Day, I will forget you, just as you forgot Me." "
Source: Excerpted from 'Tafsîr ibn Kathîr' (summarised)