The Beautiful Patience (Sabr)

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Everyone seems to be in a hurry we seem to lose track of time. We often get furious at little things and fight over minor issues. Our ability to communicate with each other has been severe by irritation and putting words into each others mouth. We’ve multi-tasked our lives with events we give little time to family and friends. Impatience is a daily habit we posses in our society today.

Patient in Islam is known as Sabr is the “endurance” or more accurately “perseverance” and “persistence”. Sabr is characterized as being one of the two parts of faith (the other being shukr). It teaches us to remain spiritually steadfast, and to keep doing good actions in the personal and collective domain, specifically when facing opposition or encountering problems, setbacks, or unexpected and unwanted results.

Most of the time we are thrown in the well of grief and disappointments in work places, society, family. And financial situations. The patient ones in Islam are referred to as Sābirūn. They are known to remain steadfast not only in health and prosperity but also in the performance of religious obligations, in refraining from forbidden things and in the event of uncontrollable calamities. Patience (Sabr) have been classified into three phases: Sabr in time of afflictions, Sabr in obedience of Allah. Sabr in guarding against sins,

Abu Musa al-Ashari reported that Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “When a son of a servant of Allah dies, Allah Says to the angels, ‘Have you taken the son of My servant?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ Then Allah Says, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ Allah Says, ‘What has My servant said?’ They say, ‘He has praised You and said, ʾinnā li-llāhi wa-ʾinnā ʾilaihi rājiʿūn (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return). Then Allah Says, ‘Build a house for My servant in Paradise and call it the house of praise” From Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad and ibn Habban. In another narration Abu Yahya Suhaib b. Sinan said that Prophet Muhammad said: “Wondrous are the believer’s affairs. For him there is good in all his affairs, and this is so only for the believer. When something pleasing happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him; and when something displeasing happens to him, he is enduring (ṣabr), and that is good for him(Muslim).

Patience is very significant in Islam such that it compared to an act of worship. In Quranthereisusuallyacloseconnectionbetweenbeingpatientlypersistingindoing right and expecting relief or deliverance from God (tawakkul). Thus, prophet Muhammad (saw) is told to be patient like the Apostles of God before him. The following are a few verses of the Quran about patience;

“Seek God (Allah)’s help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble (2:45)

“O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere (2:153)

But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance (2:156–157)

“O you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance, strengthen each other, and be pious, that you may prosper (3:200)

“Be patient, for your patience is with the help of Allah (16:127)

“Patiently, then, persevered for the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your faults, and celebrate the praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning.”(40:55)

Hardships and ease are a trial for us. Everything Allah chooses from good or evil, is for our benefit. Whatever occurs could not have missed us and what missed us could never have reached us. Panic and impatience cannot prevent Allah’s Decree. I pray Allah guides us and make us amongst the sabirun (patience ones),

Dua/supplication for patience: “Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qulubana `ala ta`atika” — O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience. Ameen!

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Showing 3 comments
  • farah naaz

    Yes patience is difficult to practice, because a single excitement a human forget about Allah and indulge in sin and a single disappointment a human forget about Allah`s mercy and show much ingratitude and complain a lot and he or she is worse at the time of anger and fear. So patience is invaluable and Allah loves the one who is patient. Allah says in Quraan
    INNALLAHAA MAA ASSABIREEN.
    Iam with the patient and in surah Asr he says those who practice patience Allah makes them winner and give them success. This is true

  • Andale Seaworne

    SubhanAllah what a lovely way to understand Sabr. Surely, patience is a beautiful form of worship. Difficult often but definitely worth it
    Andale Seaworne recently posted…BUBBLE 56 – THE LAST OF US PART 1My Profile

  • janis gibbs

    It’s wonderful to read these words of endearment

    It soothing and relaxing

    patience is not easy

    Except to those who truly fear Allah
    and humbly are submissive to Allah

    there those who exist with Allah consciousness
    and know that Allah is aware they are attuned
    with their Lord

    what a beautiful thing

    thanks

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