TRUE MEANING OF SABR (PATIENCE) IN ISLAM
The Glorious Quran says, human shows usually two types of
responses, when they face any tragedy or crises. The first response that most
of people show is, Ooh Allah! Why you chose me? Why is this happening to me?
Everyone has good life but you put me in that worse situation. So, they use
tragedy to run away from Allah Almighty. The second response is the response of
true Believers. They use tragedy to be a means of returning to Allah Almighty.
They say, Ooh Allah! We know, You know what is better for us and the wisdom
behind this calamity. We believe that there is something better for us in it.
Help us to understand it. Help us to appreciate it. Help us to get over it. You
are Al-Hakeem, the All wise, help us to see better in this.
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote
“When a man’s patience is stronger than his whims and
desires, then he is like an angel; but when his whims and desires are stronger
than his patience, then he is like a devil. If his desire for food, drink and
physical relations is stronger than his patience, then he is no better than an
animal. Lying, cheating and self-admiration are his most common traits and his
reason is held prisoner by Shaytan, who directs it to serve evil purposes. The
main cause for his sorry fate is that he ran out of patience.”
It depicts that whatever our minds want or like to do,
doesn't takes top priority but what Allah Almighty wants us to do takes top
priority. Our limited minds cannot understand or comprehend that whatever is
happening to us is better for us. All the calamities and difficulties that are
destined for us are also good because they draw us closer to Allah Almighty.
The tests by Allah Almighty are not always negative or calamities
but the blessings of Him are also tests. But man considers the calamities as
test and behaves in different way. Allah Almighty says it in the Glorious
Quran,
فَأَمَّا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكۡرَمَهُۥ
وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيٓ أَكۡرَمَنِ
And as for man, when his Lord tries
him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has
honored me."
وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبۡتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيۡهِ رِزۡقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ
رَبِّيٓ أَهَٰنَنِ
But when He tries him and restricts his
provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me."
(Surah Fajr, Verse 15-16)
Aspects of Sabr
- Sabr means self-control or non-indulgence, which is required for abstaining from what Allah Almighty has prohibited and from all types of sins and disobedience. An Islamic narration says, “Sabr has two parts: patience for the sake of Allah concerning what He is pleased with (i.e. acts of worship and obedience), even if it is hard on the heart and the body, and patience when avoiding what He dislikes, even if it is desired.
- Sabr means acceptance of Allah Almighty's commandments in our actions. For example Allah Almighty reminds us to say when we lost our loved ones or wealth; Say, “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us.” [Quran 9:51]
- Sabr meaning tolerance and perseverance which is needed to fulfill the commandments of Allah Almighty. The directing of oneself towards good deeds and worship is of benefit to the soul. Knowing that what soul likes and dislikes being controlled helps us to manage it. For instance, to establish prayer under all circumstances of heat and cold, busy work schedules and health constraints.
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of
you is best in deed. [Quran 67:2]
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who
strive among you [for the cause of Allah] and the patient, and We will test
your affairs. [Quran 47:31]
These Quranic words help us to tolerate all the difficulties
with perseverance. Being a true Believer, we should ask for help from the
Creator of Everything.
As Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him used to say;
“O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in all my affairs and
determination in following the right path.” [An Nisa’i -Hasan]
Mashallah
ReplyDeleteSurely, Allah is with those who are patient.
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