The Quran
“…Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…” [Qur’an; 2:185]
“Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah . That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray – for him there is no guide.” [Qur’an; 39:23]
“Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.” [Qur’an; 4:82]
Hadith
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Take on only as much as you can do of good deeds, for the best of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is little.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Narrated `Ali: “While we were sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him) who had a stick with which he was scraping the earth, he lowered his head and said, “There is none of you but has his place assigned either in the Fire or in Paradise.” Thereupon a man from the people said, “Shall we not depend upon this, O Allah’s Apostle?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No, but carry on and do your deeds, for everybody finds it easy to do such deeds (as will lead him to his place).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then recited the Verse: ‘As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah..’ [Quran; 92:5]” [Sahih Bukhari]
A’isha, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say, “Observe moderation (in doing deeds), and if you fail to observe it perfectly, try to do as much as you can do (to live up to this ideal of moderation) and be happy for none would be able to get into Paradise because of his deeds alone.” They (the Companions) said, “Allah’s Messenger, not even you?” Thereupon he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy, and bear this in mind that the deed loved most by Allah is one which is done constantly even though it is small.” [Muslim]
“Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.” [Bukhari]
“Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).” [Sahih Bukhari]
As much as we are urged to make the most of this life to prepare for the Day of Judgment and the life of the Hereafter, we are guided by the religion to be moderate, to pace ourselves, and not to go to extremes. Our body and mind are vehicles through which we seek goodness in this world and in the Hereafter and therefore we need to tend to them wisely so they can carry us consistently until the end of our time, rather than being burned out in a short span and being prevented from seeking good after that.
Striving and self-improvement are encouraged, but going to extremes and overburdening one’s self is not. One must also be wise about how he focuses his time and effort. It is not wise, for instance, to go to extremes in abundant voluntary deeds while forsaking the deeds that are of greater importance in a particular time and place.
As mentioned in the hadith, the religion is easy. If one seeks correct knowledge regarding his obligations and what is beloved to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), he will find it easy to connect with his Lord and worship Him in every state.