َ فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿۵﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿۶﴾ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ ﴿۷﴾ وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ ﴿۸﴾

﴾5﴿ Fa inna ma'al usri yusra
﴾6﴿ Inna ma'al 'usri yusra
﴾7﴿ Fa iza faragh ta fansab
﴾8﴿ Wa ilaa rabbika far ghab

﴾5﴿ Indeed, with hardship comes ease
﴾6﴿ Indeed, with hardship comes ease
﴾7﴿ So when you are free, strive hard
﴾8﴿ And turn with devotion to your Lord

[5,6] This is the main message (assertion) of the surah—consolation—and it is a conclusion based on the three previously mentioned blessings. These blessings are the cause of yusr (ease) in both this world and the Hereafter.
Al-‘usr (hardship)—the correct interpretation is that in the first instance, it refers to worldly hardship, such as poverty and loneliness. After this came great conquests and worldly expansion granted by Allah to the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and the Companions.
In the second instance, ‘usr refers to religious hardship—meaning the early struggles of religious duties and trials. Later, Allah brought victory and support, and people entered Islam in large numbers. Likewise, the final ease will be in the Hereafter—Paradise.
[7,8] After mentioning the blessings, there is encouragement to show gratitude, and two ways of expressing that gratitude are mentioned.
The first way: “So when you are free, then strive”—the commentators have mentioned many interpretations of this verse. The best explanation is that when you finish your necessary worldly tasks, then devote yourself with effort and dedication to matters of religion—such as worship and calling others to Allah.