THE REWARD OF PATIENCE IN ISLAM

 

 THE REWARD OF PATIENCE IN ISLAM 

Patience has the greatest rank in the sight of Allah Almighty and it is the form of deed that will be rewarded with no limit. In this world, we face several hardships or tests and sufferings but the people who do patience (Sabr) and Believe in Allah Almighty's wisdom behind every hardship, will be rewarded with the Decree of their Lord. In the Glorious Quran Allah Almighty said;

 

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجۡرَهُم بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account."

(Al-Quran: 39: 10)

It means those who are patient will receive their rewards in full, without limit, calculation, or estimation, and Hisaab.

Islam is the complete code of life. It provides or guides us in every sphere of life. It guides us on how we have to behave in different situations. To become a true Believer by following all the guidelines of Islam, we should have a strong belief in Allah Almighty and that He loves us and will never leave us alone. Allah Almighty mentioned in the Glorious Quran;

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِين

“Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

(Al-Quran, 2:153)

 

When we believe that every hardship or test is coming from Allah Almighty and Allah Almighty knows what is better for us. It makes us patient. Patience is the virtue, which authorizes the individual to proceed towards worthy goals. Many Hadiths help a Believer to become patient.

 

Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that." (Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 70, Number 545)

 

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.)

 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

"Allah's Apostle said, "If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number 548)

 

Narrated 'Abdullah:

I visited the Prophet during his ailments and he was suffering from a high fever. I said, "You have a high fever. Is it because you will have a double reward for it?" He said, "Yes, for no Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of a tree fall. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 70, Number 550)

TRUE MEANING OF SABR (PATIENCE) IN ISLAM

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

1. 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. 
2. 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]
3. 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]