Stoning Before the Sun Declines and the Ease of Islam

Question:
He says: Regarding the fatwa on stoning before the sun declines, is that not an exercise of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and an indication of the ease of Islam and consideration of the actual situation?

Answer:
The ease of Islam lies in following what Allah has legislated and what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) legislated by Allah’s command, not in following the opinions of muftis and those who guess. That is a hardship, not ease. The ease is in following the evidence. Stoning before the sun declines does not remove what they claim about the congestion and danger. The congestion exists before the sun declines, after the sun declines, and at any time. It is not removed by this. We do not change the rulings just to say that the congestion will decrease. The congestion does not decrease; people rush in at all times, and groups come at all times. This is a mere assumption, yes.