Patience

Patience means sabar, which is defined as restraining oneself from any adverse reaction when faced with an unpleasant situation. Everyone has to exercise patience in order to face difficulties, whether he does so willingly or unwillingly. When he exercises patience willingly, he knows he will be rewarded. On the contrary, he will be criticized when he becomes impatient.

“And endure patiently whatever may befall thee,”

(Luqman 31:17)

One of the main characteristics of a Muslim is patience. When a calamity or disaster afflicted him, he is always patient knowing that this is a test from Allah swt. And Allah will relieve and comfort him. Allah tests us in different ways to show who is true in his faith and who is not. Those who put Allah above oneself and all other beings in this world and who dedicates himself to the pleasures of this life and forgets about Allah and the Akhirah.

A Muslim should train himself to be patient and to face difficulties of life without despair. He should also practice patience in the critical moments of life when provoked with anger. As when a person becomes angry, it is difficult to control his emotions. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “ The strong one is not he who overcomes his adversary, verily, the strong one is he who overcomes his anger.”

Facing more difficulties in life or having sickness can be for our goodness as Allah forgives some of our sins when He afflicts us with any misfortunes or sickness. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “ For any trouble, illness, worry, grief, hurt or sorrow which afflicts a Muslim even the prick of a thorn, Allah removes some of his sins.” (Tirmidhi)

Allah gives glad tidings for those who are patient when He says in the Al-Quran: “ And surely we shall try you with something of fear and hunger and lost of lives and crops; but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhir rajioon” (Al-Baqarah 2:155-156)

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full without reckoning.” (Az-Zumar 39:10)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah the Glorious, says “I have no better reward than Paradise for a believing servant of mine who is patient when I take away one of his beloved ones.” (Bukhari)

What some scholars have said about patience

• “The one who has patience is the one who prepares himself to face difficulties,” by Abu Uthman.



• “Patience means to keep close to Allah and to accept calmly the trials He sends without complaining or feeling depressed,” by Amr ibn Uthman al-Makki.

Patience means to refrain from complaining and to seek Allah’s help,” by Ali Abi Talib.