Patience is the exercise of restraint in trying situations. It is a virtue, which enables the individual to proceed towards worthy goals, undeflected by adverse circumstances or repeated provocations. If he allows himself to become upset by opposition, taunts or other kinds of unpleasantness, he will never reach his goals. He will simply become enmeshed in irrelevancies. Patience is of best from deeds and has a great reward with no limit. 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)
Patience, as well as being a practical solution to the problems faced in the outside world, is also a means of positive character building. One who fails to exercise patience gives free rein to negative thoughts and feelings, develops a personality that is likewise negative while one who remains patient is so morally bolstered by his positive thoughts and feelings that he develops a positive personality. Allah says:
فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الْغُرُوبِ
“So be patient over what they say and glorify (the) praise (of) your Lord, before (the) rising (of) the sun and before the setting.” (Surah Qaf 50:39)
Patience makes a person capable of finding a positive and successful solution to any problem. When someone explodes with anger while facing his adversary, he loses the faculty to respond effectively or to think of well-planned action. But when he applies patience and tolerance, he finds himself competent to make a rational move instead of an impulsive reaction. Allah says:
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّلِحَتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ
“Except for those who have believed and done good deeds and urged one another to the Truth and urged one another to patience.” (Surah Al-Asr 103:3)
The promise of the man, may not be held forever. However, it is different from God’s promise. God’s promise will promise rewards and help you if you are one of those who are patient. Below is the promise of Allah ta’ala in the Quran for every patient believer. Read more about the Benefits of Kindness in Islam.
Here, we will list the different contexts in which patients appear:
- Patience being able to calmly wait in the face of adversity
- Patience shift your perspective about your situation
- Patience helps you get through tough situations
- Patience focus on your movements and actions
- Patience concentrate on what can be changed
- Patience people enjoy better mental health
- Patience is made a condition of success
- Patience and taqwa are great protection
- Patience is a condition of prosperity
- Patience reframe your frustration
- Patience cover up your clock
- Patience be firm in doing good
- Patience brings power and strength
- Patience is enjoined upon believers
- Patience is a means of seeking Allah’s help
- Patience being iceberg and boost your mood
- Patience and taqwa are conditions for Allah’s help
- Patience also brings an amazing source of support
- Patience and Eemaan are prerequisites for leadership
- Patience is the way to earn the companionship of Allah
Patience is the first weapon for the believer to use when facing hardship. Many people do not know the true meaning of patience, how truly patient people are required to behave, or how important this is in Allah’s sight. A believer is that of a fresh tender plant. Allah says:
يَٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّبِرِينَ
Patience is of more help to the person who has it than men since aid without the need for any kind of additional equipment and its relationship with the victory is like the head with the body. Patience is one of the best qualities a man can possess; if we take a close look at everything happening around us, we can surely conclude that patience is the solution for them all. Allah says:
إلا الذين صبروا وعملوا الصالحات أولئك لهم مغفرة وأجر كبير
“Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.” (Surah Hud 11:11)
Tests, trials, tribulations, and calamities are all a part of life, but it is our status as believers and our relationship with the divine reality that will determine how we deal with them. A calm and collected reaction should be celebrated amidst the roar of complaining many people dish out about their tasks and endeavours, for the affliction of calamities is a certainty of life.
Allah is with those who are patient. He says in the Holy Quran:
- “And Allah loves As-Saabiroon (the patient).” (Imran 3:146)
- ”Await in patience the command of your Lord…” (At-tur 52:48)
- “patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.” (Ar-Rad 13:23-24)
- “But if you are patient [and forgive] will work best for you.” (Al -Nahl 16: 126)
- “Surely, Allah is with those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient).” (Quran 8:46)
- “But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin.” (Quran 16:126)
- “…Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” (Az-Zumar 39:10)
- “…And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.…” (Imran 3:120)
- “Oh, you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God, is with those who patiently persevere.” (Quran 153)
- “Those who fear [punishment] and are patients [to adversity] know that Allah will not fail of reward to the benefactor.” (Yusuf 12: 90)
- “…Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]. “ (Sad 38:44)
Reminding yourself that the “cause” of your impatience is only human and that they’re likely doing the best they can, may help you feel considerably more patient at the moment. Many situations in life require patience, and often there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. This is the best way to improve our patients as Muslims. With positive thinking, inshallah all the trials that we face there is the best way out. Allah says:
واستعينوا بالصبر والصلاة وإنها لكبيرة إلا على الخاشعين
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive to Allah …” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45)
The reward of paradise and deliverance from the hellfire is reserved for those who were patient. Controlling the emotions here in the sense that we must guard and manage our emotions both as well as the deeds we will do. Practice accepting your current circumstances. Allah says:
وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا
“And how can you have the patience for what not you encompass of it any knowledge.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:68)
“Be patient.” We have all heard this phrase innumerable times in life. Whatever the situation life puts one in, a Muslim is required to remain steadfastly patient. The principles of any faith are found in patience and acceptance. Moreover, it requires the demonstration of determination and consistency during times of ease and hardship and is a lifelong endeavour that never goes astray, even for a moment. Allah says:
فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ
“So be patient; indeed, (the) Promise of Allah (is) true. And ask forgiveness for your sin and glorify (the) praise (of) your Lord in the evening and the morning.” (Surah Ghafir 40:55)
Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Every single person in this world is facing some sort of trial or test. There may be some facing trials in education, others in their jobs, still others in their businesses, and still more facing problems with family or friends. A person who loves Almighty Allah finds it much easier to be patient and to persevere. May Allah gives us the strength to face difficulties with Patience! Ameen.