20: Patience (Sabr) - An Indispensable Virtue (Part 2)
"Allah is with those who patiently persevere"
(Quran 2:40)
"Patience is half of Faith"
(Prophet Muhammad [pbuh])
Keys to Sabr
- Understand and acknowledge the fact that life, wealth, health, youth, friends, dear ones are all temporary. (Kullu man 'alaiha faan)
- From Allah we come and unto Allah is our return. (Inaa lillahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'un)
- Living in this world is a short phase in our existence and there is an eternity that follows. Our status in the existence beyond this life depends, by the mercy of Allah, on the good we do in this life. (Alladhi khalaqal mawta wal hayaata li-yabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu amalan)
Call to mind the Prophetic examples
Prophets are models of excellence chosen by Allah to guide humanity, yet all endured tremendous trials and tribulations
Ashaddun naasi balaaul ambiyaa and they were most patient and persevering (Qur'an 14:12).
Reflect on the Prophets ...
- Abraham/Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, was tested with the sacrifice of his son, had to deal with hostility in his household.
- Jacob/Ya'qub suffered separation from Joseph/Yusuf
- Job/Ayyub suffered severe illness
- Moses/Musa had to deal with the oppressive authority of the Pharoah/Fir'aun and had to contend with the Pharoah's army
- Jesus/'Isa had to confront his people who forgot the spirit of the Law; they challenged his mission,
rejected him and wanted to have him crucified. Even then he prayed:
"O Allah! Forgive my people, for they know not what they do"
Muhammad lost his father before birth, was orphaned at age six; was rejected by his people when he conveyed
the message, despite them knowing him as As-Saadiq the truthful and Al-Ameen the trustworthy. His companions
were persecuted and some found refuge in Africa, he had to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, suffered assassination attempts
on his life, his followers were killed and his uncle's body was mutilated, he went days without eating, and all his
children (except Fatimah) died in his lifetime He often repeated the prayer of 'Isa/Jesus in times of tribulation.
Once while being insulted by someone in public he was emotionally overcome yet was overheard saying:
"May Allah have mercy on my brother Prophet Moses, he suffered more than this and he was patient."
May Allah's peace and blessings be upon each and every one of the Prophets
Patience in the life of a Believer
Patience is an obligatory virtue and is intimately tied to the essence of our faith in a practical way. Allah commands, "O you who believe! Be patient, mutually manifest patience and strengthen yourselves by your mutual bond ..." (Qur'an 3:200).
- Patience Sabr and Righteousness Taqwa
Whether it be wealth, possessions, life, health; or whether it be problems caused by people remember that "if you patiently persevere and are righteous then indeed that is of the greatest of resolutions" (Qur'an 3:186) - Patience Sabr and Thankfulness Shukr
As one journeys through life we find ourselves in basically one of two situations; moments of ease for which we ought to be thankful, and moments of trials and tribulations through which we ought to patiently persevere. Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] said:
"How wonderful is the case of a Believer; If something good happens, he expresses gratitude; that is good for him - If adversity befalls him, he is patient and that too is good for him." - Patience Sabr and Glad Tidings Bishara
Allah loves those who are patient and conveys glad tidings to those who patiently persevere and who will be accorded elevated positions in the hereafter due to their patience and will be welcomed with salutations of peace (Q 25:75). - Patience Sabr and Prayer Salaat
We are advised to seek divine consolation through patience and prayer. This connection between the needy, created being and the Almighty Creator provides a bond of faith that transcends the limitations of this temporal world.
Patience, Time and Timing
In chapter 103 of the Qur'an, titled Time, a direct connection is made between 'Asr time and Sabr patience. In fact, the chapter begins with 'asr and ends with sabr.
- "Life is all about timing…the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available.
Have patience, wait it out. It's all about timing." [Stacey Charter].
An ancient Arab poem reads ...
Patience is the key to all hopes and aspirations and through patience all goodness becomes possible;
So remain patient even if the dark hours are long, sometimes even the unusual becomes possible. - Jean De La Bruyere said: "There is no road too long for the person who advances deliberately and without
undue haste; there are no honors too distant for the person who prepares for them with patience."
The inventor Thomas Edison responded to a reporter who asked him how it felt to fail 1999 times before successfully inventing the light-bulb by saying: "I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process." - There is an ancient Chinese proverb ...
If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid a hundred days of sorrow; for one moment of patience may ward off great disaster, while one moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.
Hope
There is an old African saying: do not get discouraged; it is often the last key that opens the lock.
The novelist, Mark Twain said: "The miracle or the power that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application and perseverance under the prompting of a brave, determined spirit."
Patience and Action
Author, Hal Borland stated: "Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence."
Jalaluddin Rumi said: " O Allah! Let us not be of those content to wait and see what will happen, but grant us the determination to make the right things happen."
Patience and the Self
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day, begin the task anew." [Saint Francis De Sales]
"Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success." [Brian Adams]
Patience as a mark of Muslim character
"Patience is the greatest of all virtues," said the ancient Roman orator. Patience is indeed a trademark of good people and part of true Muslim character.
Prophet Muhammad [pbuh} said: "Whosoever is patient, Allah will enhance such patience; and no one is granted a gift greater and more comprehensive
than patience"