The Virtue of Patience

 

According to the Oxford dictionary the English definition of patience refers to accepting and tolerating problems or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. However, the term patience translated to Arabic is ‘Sabr’ meaning to control or constrain oneself.

During the month of Ramadan, we control our desires whether it be food, drinking, sexual relations, etc. We also constrain ourselves from committing things that have already been made haram to us and that at time can be more of a struggle.

He cried, “No! Your souls must have tempted you to do something ˹evil˺. So ˹I am left with nothing but˺ beautiful patience! I trust Allah will return them all to me. Surely, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Quran 12:83]

Furthermore, Ramadan allows us to work on our patience especially when Allah tests us with calamities. It is important to always be patient as Allah is with those who are patient, there are time when it may be hard, and we think why Allah is doing this to me. But that is the wrong mentality to have, Allah loves those He tests, Allah is testing your faith in Him and wants you make du’a and rely on him.

“Surely, Allah is with those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient)” [Quran 8:46]

There is so much virtue in patience, that it is both rewarded in this life and the Hereafter, The Messenger of Allah ﷺ says,

“Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience”. [Muslim.]

Allah also says,

Verily! I have rewarded them this Day for their patience, they are indeed the ones that are successful. [Quran 23:111]

Patience is the foundation of the believer’s faith which has no other foundation. The one who has no patience has no faith, and if he has any, then it is only a little faith and it is very weak, and such a person worships Allah not to the full capacity.

The religion of Allah Most High is 100% complete and was brought to us by the best of mankind, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Allah Most High used the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) to perfect this religion of His, meaning that the Prophet (ﷺ) was the perfect example for us to follow.

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us what to do in every stage in life. This is one of the qualities that makes the religion of Islam very unique and standout from other religions which are practiced in many parts of the world.

The religion of Islam guides us concerning what to do as soon as we open our eyes in the morning and throughout the remainder of the day and night till we close our eyes and go to sleep. For this and many other reasons the religion of Islam is the most complete.

Not only is this religion complete on guiding us how to live our lives, but there is accountability – reward for all the good deeds we do and punishment for all the sins we commit.

I would like to discuss the rewards and virtues of one particular good deed: Patience. First, let us look at an example of the Prophet (ﷺ) being patient . The story takes place in the city not far away from Mecca, known as Ta’if. The Prophet (ﷺ) went there to preach Islam to the locals. The Prophet (ﷺ) approached the leaders of Ta’if and called them towards Islam . Not only did the leaders reject the call to Islam but they reacted in such a way that they set young children upon the Prophet (ﷺ) to taunt him, stone him and chase him out of Ta’if . The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) bled till his footwear was drenched in blood. The Angel Jibra’eel Alayhis Salaam came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “If you wish, then I will give the order for two angels to crush the residents of Ta’if between the two mountains in which it lies.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied in the negative and said, “I am hopeful that their descendants will accept Islam.” Allahu Akbar . This was the patience of the Prophet (ﷺ)

Let’s put ourselves in that position, an innocent man leaving his young children and wife at home to present the gift of Islam to strangers; risking life and limb in the hot desert . What would we do if we had been beaten so severely that our feet were soaking in our blood? Will we be able to control our anger to the extent that we don’t attempt to frighten the perpetrators in the slightest or even show them deterring effects when given complete control and resources to do so?

He (ﷺ) did not have to turn the other cheek as numerous rocks were hitting both and cutting the rest of his blessed body also. Showing impeccable foresight, his response was prayer for the generations to come. Allah be praised.

Patience is of three types:

(i) Patience upon obedience – To be patient when finding it hard obeying Allah Most High’s rules.

(ii) To be patient when a trouble befalls you.

(iii) To be patient when finding it hard to abstain from sins.

Every believer should have the above types of patience. The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned in a Hadith that patience is from Allah and hastiness is from the Devil.

The first type of patience is when obeying Allah and finding it difficult to do so. For example, waking up early for the fajr prayers. We should be patient and show gratitude when carrying out these deeds.

The second type of patience is when a trouble befalls you. For example, a vehicle accident or the loss of property. We should be patient at these times.

The third type of patience is when finding it hard to abstain from sins. For example, when a person listens to music and then finds out it is not allowed in Islam to listen to music, this person tries his utmost best to refrain from listening to music, even if he has the urge to do so.

Being patient is a great virtue and comes with a great reward.

May Allah Most High accept and reward us for every good deed we do. And May Allah make us from the patient ones and those that rely on Him. Ameen