Patience
by Shariffa Carlo
One thing that is seriously lacking among the Muslims is patience. We are so harsh with
each other at times that it is hard to believe we are supposed to be brothers and sisters.
We often times give greater excuses to the non-Muslims than we do to ourselves. We are
supposed to advise each other to do good and to be patient. In Surat Al Asr, Allah says,
Verily, man is in loss, except those who believe and do good deeds and encourage one
another towards truth and encourage one another towards patience. (104:2-3)
Patience is a sign of the Muslim character. I know a lady who taught me a great deal. She
probably does not even know how much she affected me, for it was not anything she said.
It was purely her actions. This lady had a daughter who was about 11 or 12 years old.
She had been sick for a few years. The young girl had been taken to the hospital because
her heart and lungs were giving out on her. This had become a routine for them. She went
to the hospital, they treated her, and she went home. This time, however, it was different.
This time, the doctor took the family into a small room - the consultation room. He told
this woman that this time there was nothing that could be done. The damage had become
too extensive. Essentially all that they could do was keep her comfortable. This lady
started to cry, to get really upset. Then, unexpectedly, she was extremely calm. This lady
lived up to her name, Sakeenah, for she showed the utmost in tranquility. She said, "No! I
will not do this. Allah does not expect this of me. Doctor, tell me what I have to do."
Wallahi, the doctor, who was used to the grief expressions of the Kufar, was astonished.
He had to pull himself together before he could continue. I know he had never seen
anything like this. What a beautiful dawaa this woman gave, May Allah increase her
reward.
She avoided the easy route, the one no one would have blamed her for taking. After all,
she was a mother about to lose her beloved daughter, but the thought that came to her
was, "What would Allah want?". Subhana Allah. Allah reward her. This woman, in her
love to Allah, in her show of patience, taught me better than a thousand books or a
hundred lectures. She showed me what true Muslim patience is. As expected, the young
girl died soon after. Sakeenah cried a mother's tears, but she was never excessive in her
grief, and she was a marvelous example to her other children. They too showed honor and
deen in their mourning of the young girl. This is Islam, and this is patience. They taught all
of us in the community how to deal with hardship in its hardest form. They helped others
to know the right way, and Inshallah they gained the reward from Allah for teaching us as
well as for their simple obedience.
All this is a preface to the subject at hand. I wanted to provide a small outline on patience
in Islam, so I took much of the following section from: Uddat As Sabiriin wa Dhakhirat
Ash Shakiriin (Patience and Gratitude) by Ibin Qayim Al Jawziyyah because it is one of
the best books I have found on the subject, may Allah reward him. He explains: "Sabr
comes from an Arabic root which means to detain, refrain and stop. There is an
expression in Arabic which means "so and so was killed," "sabaran" which means he was
captured and detained until he died."
He further explains that in the spiritual sense, sabr means to stop ourselves from despairing
and panicking, to stop our tongues from complaining and to stop our hands from striking
our faces & tearing our clothes at times of grief and stress."
Ibin Qayim divides patience into the following five categories; I will outline them and
provide examples of each:
Wajib Sabr:
1. Patience in doing the fard,
2. Patience in avoiding the haram, and
3. Patience in times of fitnah.
Mandub Sabr:
1. Patience in abstaining from Makruh (disliked),
2. Patience in performing mustahab (encouraged acts), and
3. Patience in restraining from revenge.
Haram Sabr:
1. Patience in abstaining from food and drink until death,
2. Patience from eating haram meat when it is a necessity for sustaining life (only so much
as is necessary to sustain the life)
3. Patience in refraining from begging (For this one: Ahmad said it is haram and Shafaii
said in life and death instances, it is a must).
4. Patience in enduring things which lead to death (example: snakes,
fire), and
5. Patience in the time of fitnah -- when Muslims are fighting.
Makruh Sabr:
1. Patience in abstaining from physical appetites to the extent one is hurt by it, and
2. Patience in doing makruh deeds.
Mubah (Permissible) Sabr:
1. Patience in abstaining from mubah deeds.
In his book, Ibin Qayim narrates a story about Shibili that astounded me when I read it. It
hit me in a way that little else has. It was so simple and so true, that I could not believe I
had never considered it before or never heard it before. Someone asked him, "What type
of patience is most difficult?" Shibili said, "Patience in seeking the help of Allah." The man
answered, "No." Shibili said, "Then, patience for the sake of Allah." The man said ,
"No. "Shibili said, "Patience for the pleasure of Allah." The man said, "No." So, Shibili asked,
"What is it then?" The man answered, "Patience in keeping away from Allah." Shibili then
screamed in such a way that he nearly died. Uddat As Sabiriin wa Dhakhirat Ash
Shakiriin (Patience and Gratitude) by Ibin Qayim Al Jawziyyah.
Subhana Allah. Think about this. When I read this, my amazement was, like Shabili's,
without bounds. Wallahi, it is true. The patience in avoiding the natural fitrah, the patience
in avoiding worshipping and loving, and fearing Allah, the patience in being kafir - or even
in being a sinful Muslim, is an extreme patience, a difficulty beyond measure. Allahu
Akbar! We have to be patient in obeying Allah. We have to be patient in avoiding wrong
deeds. We have to be patient in accepting Allah's Qadr, but to be patient in avoiding
Allah. This is indeed the most difficult.
When I started researching this topic, I found so many references to it in the Quraan, that
I was tempted to simply compile all the verses, all the hadiths, and simply let it be with
that. But then, I thought, I should preface them with a small introduction on the concept of
patience which I hope I have done. Then, I decided, the number was too great to write it
all. I would need a book for all of it. So, instead, I have chosen a few verses and a few
hadiths to share with you today as a reminder to you and me.
Allah Says:
Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded. (2:45)
O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the
patient. (2:153)
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or
the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. (2:155)
It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is
righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and
the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for
orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves;
to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have
made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all
periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. ( 2:177)
If good befalls you, it grieves them, and if an evil afflicts you, they rejoice at it; and if you
are patient and guard yourselves, their scheme will not injure you in any way; surely Allah
comprehends what they do. (3:120)
Do you think that you will enter the garden while Allah has not yet known those who strive
hard from among you, and (He has not) known the patient. (3:142)
And how many a prophet has fought with whom were many worshippers of the Lord; so
they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in Allah's way, nor did
they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the patient. (3:146)
O you who believe! be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast, and be careful
of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful. (3:200)
What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring; and We will most
certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what they did. (16:96)
And if We make man taste mercy from Us, then take it off from him, most surely he is
despairing, ungrateful. But if We give him a taste of (Our) favours after adversity hath
touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from me:" Behold! he falls into
exultation and pride. Except those who are patient and do good, they shall have
forgiveness and a great reward. (11:9-11)
And those who were given the knowledge said: Woe to you! Allah's reward is better for
him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient.
(28:80)
Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the
believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and
the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women and the humble men and
the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting
men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women
who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember--Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward. (33:35)
Say: O my servants who believe! be careful of (your duty to) your Lord; for those who do
good in this world is good, and Allah's earth is spacious; only the patient will be paid back
their reward in full without measure. (39:10)
In Sahih Bukhari we have from the following hadith:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear
Allah and be patient. She said to him, "Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a
calamity like mine." And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was
the Prophet . so she went to the house of the Prophet and there she did not find any
guard. Then she said to him, "I did not recognize you." He said, "Verily, the patience is at
the first stroke of a calamity." Volume 2, Book 23, Number 372:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) and he gave
them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then they asked
him and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then he said "If I had
anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking
others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient,
Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him
patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience." Volume 2,
Book 24, Number 548:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet decided to grant a portion of (the uncultivated land of) Bahrain to the Ansar.
The Ansar said, "(We will not accept it) till you give a similar portion to our emigrant
brothers (from Quraish)." He said, "(O Ansar!) You will soon see people giving
preference to others, so remain patient till you meet me (on the Day of Resurrection).
Volume 3, Book 40, Number 564
Narrated Salim Abu An-Nadr:
The freed slave of 'Umar bin 'Ubaidullah who was 'Umar's clerk: 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa
wrote him (i.e. 'Umar) a letter that contained the following:--
"Once Allah's Apostle (during a holy battle), waited till the sun had declined and then he
got up among the people and said, "O people! Do not wish to face the enemy (in a battle)
and ask Allah to save you (from calamities) but if you should face the enemy, then be
patient and let it be known to you that Paradise is under the shades of swords." He then
said,, "O Allah! The Revealer of the (Holy) Book, the Mover of the clouds, and Defeater
of Al-Ahzab (i.e. the clans of infidels), defeat them infidels and bestow victory upon us."
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 210:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from
whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it
becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains
patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree
which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes." (See
Hadith No. 558, Vol. 9.) Volume 7, Book 70, Number 547:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Apostle sent for the Ansar and gathered them in a tent and said to them, "Be
patient till you meet Allah and His Apostle, and I will be on the lake-Tank (Al-Kauthar)."
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 533:
We have these from Sahih Muslim:
Narrated AbuQatadah:
The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) stood up among them (his companions) to
deliver his sermon, in which he told them that Jihad in the cause of Allah and belief in Allah
(with all His Attributes) were the most meritorious of acts. A man stood up and said:
Messenger of Allah, do you think that if I am killed in the cause of Allah, my sins will be
blotted out from me? The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) said: Yes, in the case where you are killed in the way of Allah, you were patient and sincere and you
always fought facing the enemy, never turning your back upon him.
Then he added: What have you said (now)? (Wishing to have further assurance from him
for his satisfaction), he asked (again): Do you think if I am killed in the say of Allah, all my
sins will be obliterated from me? The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) Said: Yes, if you were patient and sincere, and always fought facing the enemy, never turning
your back upon him, (all your lapses shall be forgiven) except debt. Gabriel has told me
this. Book 19, Number 4646:
Narrated Mustawrid al-Qurashi:
I heard Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said: The Last Hour would come (when)
the Romans would form a majority amongst people. Amr said to him (Mustawrid
al-Qurashi): See what you are saying? He said: I say what I heard from Allah's Apostle
(p.b.u.h) Thereupon he said: If you say that, it is a fact for they have four
qualities. They have the patience to undergo a trial and immediately restore themselves to
sanity after trouble and attack again after flight. They (have the quality) of being good to
the destitute and the orphans, to the weak and, fifthly, the good quality in them is that they
put resistance against the oppression of kings. Book 40, Number 6925:
In these verses and hadiths, we find that the reward for sabr is great. We can also clearly
see that patience has been commanded upon the Muslim. It is a sign of the Muslim that in
adversity he is patient. To me, I see patience ad when a muslim has nothing, he says,
"Alhamdulillah.", and when he is given something, he says, "Alhamdulillah.", and he shares
whatever Allah has provided him. Also, the Muslim is the one who does not dispair when
he is without, or when a seemingly bad event happens to him because he knows that:
"Verily, along with every hardship comes ease. Verily, along with every hardship comes
ease" (94:5). And he knows that there is only one hardship and two eases. The Muslim
recognises the good in the hardship, so he is able to endure patiently, waiting for Allah's
reward, and the promised relief.
Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife of the Prophet) Allah's Apostle said, "No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah
expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a
thorn." Sahih Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 70, Number 544.
Subhanak allaahuma wa bihamdik/Glory & praise/gratitude is to You OH Allaah,
ash-hadu allaa illahaa illa Ant/I bear witness there is none that has the right to my worship
but You, astaghfiruka wa a tubu Eellaik/I ask Your forgiveness and repent unto You.
For more of Shariffa Carlo´s writings go to Islamzine
E-mail Shariffa Carlo
These awesome graphics are provided by:
