Message From the Imam: Grant me Patience O AllahWe cannot survive for a moment without patience. Our life is a journey of hardships as stated in the Quran, Allah said: {very truly, We created man in [a life of] travail} 90:4. Imam Al Fakhr Al Razi said, “Our creation was in phases and all of it included hardships. From being in the mother’s womb to the phase of breast feeding to the phase of working for survival and then death! In life, what we think of as pleasure is really a compensation or healing from pain. Food is the compensation from the pain of hunger; clothes are the compensation from the pain of heat and cold; we keep moving from one pain to another.” (Mafateeh El Ghaib). Only (Sabr) patience can help us live in ease with all these hardships around us. The prophet (PBUH) is our role model, and hardships were around him all his life which is why Allah (SW) reminded him about the importance of patience; Allah said, {So be patient, [O Prophet]. Yet, [know that] your patience shall not endure [through adversity] except with [the help] of Allah} 16:127.
Imam Ibn Al Qayyem defines (Sabr) patience as follows, “It is an honorable moral manner of ethics that through it, will prevent you from engaging in what is considered improper or wicked, and it is a power of the soul that through it (you acquire) the righteous status and the well being of your matters.” (Uddat Assabirin). Imam Al Fairouz Abadi said, “The term (Sabr) is defined by different words depending how it is used. Managing your emotions after a disaster is called Sabr; holding on during fear is called courage; withholding words of anger is called restraint or concealment; giving up luxury in life it is called (Zuhd) or being ascetical; controlling your sexual desire it is called (Iffah) or virtue.” (Basaer Zawi Al Tamieez). Now, such a wide range of uses for the term of (Sabr) patience tells you that all moral values in life are connected to (Sabr) patience.
What kind of reward comes with (Sabr) patience?
Allah (SW) promised us unlimited rewards when we practice (Sabr) patience. Allah said, {for, indeed, those who are patient shall be rendered their reward in full, without measure} 39:10. Allah will also reward people of (Sabr) patience in the best type of rewards. Allah said, {and We shall certainly recompense those who have [remained] patient with their reward, [in accordance] with the very best they ever did} 16:96. Heaven shall be the reward waiting for people of (Sabr) patience. Allah said, {We shall, most surely, settle them in [Heavenly] chambers of the Garden [of Paradise] beneath which rivers flow wherein they shall abide forever. How [exceedingly] commendable is the reward of those who ever do [the will of God]! It is these who have endured [life’s trials] with patience, and upon their lord [alone] do they rely} 29:58
Why do we need (Sabr)?
Patience is needed when practicing your duties in Islam. Allah said, {Moreover, enjoin the prayer upon your family, [O prophet], and persevere patiently with it} 20:132. Patience is needed when abstaining from Haram. Allah said, {Indeed, the self often bids to evil- except on whomever my Lord has mercy} 12:53. Knowing this fact about ourselves, that we often bid to evil as the verse states, (Sabr) patience is required to keep safe from Haram. Patience is needed when facing hardships in life. Allah said, {and, most surely, We shall test [all of] you [believers] with something of fear and [with] hunger and [with] loss of wealth and life and crops. So give glad tidings [of everlasting delight in Paradise] to those who are [enduringly] patient} 2:155. Patience is needed when we face (Qadar) fate and destiny. Allah said, {so be patient, [O prophet,] with your Lord’s decree. For you are ever under [the care of] Our [watchful] eyes} 52:48. Patience is needed as the foundation of morals and ethics needed when dealing with ignorant people. Allah said, {But, most surely, one who remains patient and who forgives, indeed, these are among the [foremost] commandments of [God that must be kept with] diligent resolve} 42:43.
How can we acquire (Sabr) patience?
It starts by knowledge. To recognize that Allah gave you the ability to remain steadfast while performing duties, keeping away from evil or facing hardships in life. Allah created us with the power of (Sabr) patience by giving us the ability to redeem ourselves if we choose so! Allah said, {and [by] the soul and Him who fashioned it and informed it with [consciousness of] its wickedness and its righteousness! Truly, whoever purifies it has succeeded. And truly, whoever defiles it has failed} 91:7-8-9.
This means that all hardships faced with (Sabr) patience shall be the eraser of all your sins and bad deeds! The prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Whomever Allah wants good for him, He will touch him (with hardships and trials)’ Hadith narrated by Bukhari. In another Hadith, the prophet (PBUH) said, “The servant will be tested depending on the level of his faith. If his faith is strong then his test will be harder and if there was softness in his faith, he will be tested in accordance to that. Trials will keep touching the servants of Allah until they walk on earth free from any single sin.” Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah.
Rest assured that everything that happens to you in this life can be something good or (Khair) whether you initially perceive it to be or not. The prophet (PBUH) said, “Amazing is the matter of the believer, all his matters are good. If blessings and bounties touch him he is grateful and if hardships touch him he is of (Sabr) patience and that is only for the believer.” Hadith narrated by Muslim. To help understand that better, remember that everything that happens in this life is through Allah’s wisdom, and as Muslims we trust Him for what we do not know. Remember that whatever Allah gave you is much more than whatever Allah tested you with, and at the same time these tests shall return back to you in rewards! Remember that whatever happens to you is fair and just and Allah will never burden you with something you cannot endure. Allah said, {God does not task a soul beyond its capacity} 2:286. Remember that all troubles that come to your door could have been worse! Patience (Sabr) can bring your levels up in Paradise.
Open your heart to (Sabr) patience and invite trust into your relation with Allah so that all hardships around you will be sailing toward ease. {So, indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship, comes ease. So whenever you become free [from obligation], then stand [in prayer], and to your Lord alone turn in hope} 94:5-9.