There are many definitions of sabr or patience and one is resilience, the ability to push on when others can’t. Sabr is one of the most important characteristics that we can develop as a human and believer. We need to learn why patience is an act rewarded beyond measure.
In a hadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated, “None is ever given anything better and more far-reaching than sabr (patience).” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2588) Sabr is an act of worship that begins in the heart demonstrated by the restraint of the tongue and leads to good deeds.
In our hearts, we find a level of patience and endurance between us and Allah (SWT). Our hearts should have a degree of contentment and hope in the mercy of Allah (SWT) so even in a moment of difficulty, we feel that Allah (SWT) is still with us. Moreover, sabr is a restraint on the tongue constraining us from complaining about the condition Allah (SWT) has placed us in but rather allowing us to speak to Allah (SWT) about our circumstances. We must realize there is a huge difference between complaining about Allah (SWT) and complaining to Allah (SWT).
The third element of sabr is to be a person who has resilience in their habits and decisions. Hence, the things that we do right and wrong, we must hold ourselves to higher account. Imam ibn Qayyim identifies three levels of sabr or resilience: first, sabr in what Allah (SWT) orders us to do, the goods deeds that we should perform. Imam ibn Qayyim stated that this is the most difficult facet of patience.
The second level of sabr is avoiding the wrong things which is an easier task than the first level of sabr. Doing good is a greater challenge than avoiding wrong. The third level is sabr in times of difficulty. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 216), “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”
The most important aspect of patience is to be patient with the orders of Allah (SWT). We must fulfill our ibadah or worship as best as possible and maintain our dealings with Allah (SWT) in the most acceptable, kind, and comprehensive manner. There should be love in our hearts when performing the various acts of worship. Sabr is an act Allah (SWT) rewards without measure as He (SWT) explains to us in the Holy Quran (Surah Az-Zumar, Ayat 10), “Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.”
Patience is something that we can learn and should teach to others. Allah (SWT) created humankind with the capacity to become distressed, lose hope, and not demonstrate patience. However, in four of the five pillars of Islam that deal with worship acts, Allah (SWT) is training us to develop patience.
We develop patience in each act of our salat by waking up in the darkness to pray Fajr and waiting for the darkness at night to pray Isha before going to bed. We demonstrate patience when fasting during Ramadan to resist hunger and thirst. We demonstrate patience when sharing our wealth as soon as zakat is due. Likewise, we demonstrate patience on the journey of Hajj.
In a hadith, our Nabi (SAW) stated that patience is illumination (Muslim 223). The Prophet (SAW) is explaining to us that personally, patience is a light for ourselves but it is illumination for everyone around us. A person that experienced the trials and difficulties of life but remained resolute due to their worship of Allah (SWT) and maintained their dignity during trying times, their sabr is a light and an inspiration to others.
Therefore, in periods of adversities and hardships when we feel hopeless, remember to have patience. Let us pray that Allah (SWT) make us of the sabreen, those who are resilient in the face of adversity. Also, may we receive the glad tidings of Jannah for all of us who show patience in this life.
