What is patience? Who are Sabireen

To be patient is to restrain one’s soul from being irritable and restless, one’s tongue from grumbling, and one’s body parts from injuring oneself or other people. The qualities and greatness of patience are demonstrated by the numerous instances in the Quran and the beloved Prophet’s (SAW) Sunnah where patience is referenced. The Arabic word for patience, (Sabr), implies to contain or restrict. And those who have Sabr are called Sabireen.

In Islam, displaying patience, or sabr in Arabic has numerous advantages and rewards. The admirable trait of patience enables us to communicate with Allah (SWT), speak and act in accordance with the truth, and face challenges with fortitude.

Sabr literally translates as endurance, however, tenacity and/or persistence are more relevant comparisons. It is one of the two pillars of faith (the other being shukr, which means thankfulness and gratitude). The Holy Qu’ran emphasizes the value of patience numerous times, with the words “sabr” and “eraaz” (which means avoidance in Arabic) both appearing more than 100 times.

Importance of Patience in Islam (Sabr)

Islam does not advocate being passive or having patience. The Qur’an does not advise us to engage in conflict, but it also does not teach us to keep quiet. Everyone has the opportunity to do as they choose and live their lives as they see fit, therefore life is full of challenges. This naturally implies that there will be occasions when our freedom and that of another individual are incompatible.

However, no person has the authority to take away that freedom; this must be respected. Only Allah (SWT) has this power. In its place, this implies handling obstacles with patience (sabr) in order to overcome them. Allah will reward you for doing so.

“Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” [Yusuf: 90]

The creations of God cannot be changed.

Because “there is no altering the creation of God” [al-Rum 30:30], all prophets shared this view. The heavens, the earth, and everyone who lives there was created by Allah (SWT), and no human should strive to alter His work of art.

Adopting the prophets’ values entails cultivating a culture of tolerance and avoiding conflict whenever feasible. All of Allah’s (SWT) works are beautiful, and we should focus on the good rather than the bad.

“And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the patient ones.” [Surah Aali Imran 3:146]

Islam: Finding a Way Through Patience

The teachings of the Holy Qur’an can be incorporated into our way of life in many different ways, guiding us both here and in the afterlife. A physical journey, whether you’re walking, driving, or any other mode of transportation, is rarely a straight path from point A to point B, necessitating numerous twists and turns for various factors.

Consider this in terms of your growth both personally and professionally. There will always be obstacles in our path, and it is how we overcome them by being patient that assures we may look at a challenging circumstance from all sides and acquire experience for the future. Conflict, more often than not, closes one door without necessarily opening, and confrontation rarely gets you anywhere.

The Holy Qur’an advises us to restrain our rage since it can become a distraction if we don’t. In the face of conflict or provocation, we should have a positive outlook and keep in mind the importance of forgiving and mending fences.

Also Read: How to Control Anger in Islam | Islamic Anger Management

The Pursuit of Truth

Sabr includes seeking out the truth, which is why practicing patience in Islam involves more than just withdrawing into a corner and watching the world go by. Unfortunately, there are still people who suffer significantly greater difficulties in life than ordinary individuals. The realization that those who are affected by poverty and conflict confront the greatest obstacles of all, as well as acting to provide aid, purifies the soul.

Benefits of Patience

We shall reap enormous benefits and rewards by exercising patience, which is a great virtue. Some of these perks and incentives are short-term, while others are long-term. The following are a few of the many rewards of patience according to the Quran and Sunnah:

Patience in the Quran

In the Holy Quran, patience’s merits and advantages are discussed in more than 90 verses. Below are a few examples:

• From those People who have patience are the rightful people to lead so we can say leadership comes with patience as Allah said in the Quran: “And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (Quran, 32:24)
• Those who will remain patient will enter Paradise. Allah said in Quran: “Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect.” (Quran, 25:75)
• With patience you will get all good things as Almighty Allah says in Quran: “But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin.”(Quran, 16:126)
• If you are patient in all your sufferings then the patient ones will receive plenty of rewards for their good deeds. Allah says in Holy Quran: “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.” (Quran, 39:10)
• Patience is something that is recommended by Almighty Allah which means it requires determination. Allah said in Holy Quran: “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.”  (Quran, 42:43)
• Allah is with those who are patient. He says in Holy Quran: “And be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin.” (Quran,8:46 )

Reward of Patience

The ability to be persistent and patient is much easier for someone who loves the Almighty Allah. This is because we believe that everything comes from Allah, and if anything comes from Allah, it must have a purpose. A lover exhibits the greatest amount of patience because he wants the Beloved to perceive him in the best possible light. A characteristic that allows one to go forward toward admirable aims is patience.

Almighty Allah would undoubtedly save our patience recompense for the eternal afterlife if we do not receive it in this life. The Prophet of Allah (SAW), the beloved of all mankind, once said: “Whoever persists in being patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.” (Al-Bukhari)

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