Patience is a key element in the life of a believer. Allah identified patients and then advised thereof to one another, as being among the keys to success in this life. Among many other important characteristics, like generosity, kindness, compassion, and lovingness, Allah laid stress upon truth and patience. This is because, first and foremost, for anyone to attain the proper relationship with Allah, that person has to be true. True – in accepting the truth when it comes to him, following and committed to that truth. Allah says:
إلا الذين آمنوا و عملوا الصالحات و تواصوا بالحق و تواصوا بالصبر
“…Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. “ (Surah Al-Asr 103:1-3)
Our belief is based on the truth that has come from the Creator of this world. He did not leave us to wander blindly in the world on our own. But, He sent the truth to us, which we know as Islam. Our acceptance of the truth and living by it, holding on firmly to that truth throughout our lives is a requirement, even if that truth is against us. Allah says:
فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
“So wait with patience for the Decision of your Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish – when he cried out (to Us) while he was in deep sorrow.” (Surah Al-Qalam 68:48)
If Muslims in the world commit evil, which we know is not right, no matter what the circumstance, we have to stand up for the truth because ultimately, we care about the truth. The truth must stand out clear from falsehood. Patience is the best tool for firmness against tribulations and temptations.
Patience has a great status in the sight of Allah Almighty and in Islam:
- Patience is the way to earn the companionship of Allah
- Patience and Eemaan are prerequisites for leadership
- Patience also brings an amazing source of support
- Patience brings alongside righteous actions
- Patience will reward Allah who has believed
- Patience befriend the people of Allah SWT
- Patience and taqwa are great protection
- Patience brings power and strength
- Patience be assured of God’s help
- Patience brings guidance
- Patience be firm in doing good
- Patience is enjoined upon believers
- Patience is a condition of prosperity
- Patience is made a condition of success
- Patience is a means of seeking Allah’s help
- Patience be aware of the power of Allah SWT
- Patience gives you a chance to regroup yourself
- Patience and taqwa are conditions for Allah’s help
- Patience easily break up the cycle of their impatience
- Patience not dictating what emotions and thoughts pop up
Life is full of trials that an individual must face with patience. Patience is basically when a person restrains himself from being fearful during hard times. In the Arabic language, (Sabr) Patience means to confine or contain. Patience is to keep ourselves on the right track, constantly remind ourselves of what others have been through. Patience is of best from deeds and has a great reward with no limit. Allah says:
ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ
“Then he is of those who believe and enjoin (each other) to patience, and enjoin (each other) to compassion.” (Surah Al-Balad 90:17)
Patience is a good, praise-worthy and desirable character. It is a distinct moral of a Muslim. It has many graceful effects, good benefits, and generous consequences. It is an excellent means of strength against adversities, harms, hardships, and anxieties. Once a person has committed himself in all aspects of life to the truth, that person has to be patient, since that truth will be tried and tested. Hence, when patience is so important, it is required for us to understand what it means. Allah says:
وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّابِرِينَ
“And if you retaliate, then retaliate with the like of what you were afflicted with [it]. But if you are patient, surely (it) is better for those who are patient.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:126)
In Islam, times of hardship and tribulations are seen as a test from Allah and can be a means to gain reward. When a Muslim faces hardship, he or she takes a step back from their difficult situation and thinks about it from a higher level. Difficult times are part of Allah’s laws in this universe; they are part of the tests that people go through. As a Muslim, a conscious one, you are not expected to lose hope in the mercy and blessing of your Lord, regardless of the situation, you find yourself in. Allah says:
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and the prayer; and indeed, it (is) surely difficult except on the humble ones,” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45)
A difficulty we go through, on the contrary, could be a learning experience, a reminder, purification from sins and mistakes, a test of patience and perseverance, or all of these together. We can emerge from difficult times closer to Allah, stronger, united, more skilled, and more guided, but only if we know how to live through them and respond to them. When a man goes through a difficulty or faces a hardship, he sometimes loses hope, complains or blames those around him.
What is Patience (Sabr)
Patience is to hold one’s soul from being impatient and displeased, holding the tongue from complaining and the body parts from harming himself or others. The word (sabre) patients in the Quran and Sunnah of the beloved Prophet (PBUH) is mentioned in many places, which indicates the virtues and excellence of patience. There is numerous evidence of patients in the bible as well but they are not the subject at the moment. Allah says:
قَالَ هَٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنِكَ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا
“He said, “This (is) parting between me and between you. I will inform you of (the) interpretation (of) what not you were able on it (to have) patience.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:78)
Patience provides us resistance against weakness and endows us with a steadfastness in obeying Allah (SWT). It is the best tool for firmness against tribulations and temptations. Moreover, it is the weapon of a Muslim through which he will be successful both in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah says:
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
“And We made from them leaders guiding by Our Command when they were patient and they were of Our Verses certain.” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:24)
We must learn and develop how to have patience in our personalities. How to develop patience characteristics in adverse scenarios and always be thankful to Al-Mighty Lord. Because we learn that whatever happens in life is decreed by Allah and we cannot avert that, hence having patience and feeling content in our life is important.
Allah Almighty says about Patience in the Holy Quran:
- “And Allah loves the patient.” (Al-Imran 3: 146)
- “Those who (are) patient and on their Lord, they put their trust.” (Nahl 16:42)
- “But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin.” (Quran, 16:126)
- He said, “Indeed, you never will be able, with me, (to have) patience.” (Kahf 18:67)
- “And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (Quran, 32:24)
- “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (Ash-Shura 42:43)
- “Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.” (Hud 11:11)
- “And be patient over what they say, and avoid them, and avoidance gracious.” (Surah Al-Muzammil 73:10)
- “…Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.” (Ash-Shura 42:33)
Hardships and calamities are experienced by everyone and it can sometimes be very hard to respond to these calamities when they strike. It may be common for many to lose hope. Reconnecting with the Deen can help in many ways to instil positivity and hope. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath. Helping others is one of the best ways to bring positivity into your life. Allah says:ا
أُولَـٰئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“These will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient, and repel evil with good, and spend out of what We have provided them.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:54)
One should be steadfast in the good deeds that he/she is doing, be focused, and have patience (Sabr) to do them in the best possible way. Patience is the key to success in this life and the hereafter. Therefore, we should try hard to practise patience in our lives; we also should know that we could all gain patience with practice and struggle. May Almighty Allah make us among those who are patient! Ameen
