Adversities and comforts are a trial for Muslims. Everything our Lord chooses for us; be it good or evil, is for our own benefit. Whatever is chosen by our Lord, it cannot be changed and similarly, whatever is not chosen by our Lord, we cannot attain it by any means. But the great rewards are only for those among us who are patient with the Decree of their Lord.
Anxiety and impatience never prevent what our Supreme Lord has decreed for us. Complaining is the opposite of patience. It is our belief and Faith that Allah (SWT) Alone can protect us from all harm and ease our difficulties. Therefore, patience is obligatory in such panic situations and hardships in all that Allah (SWT) had decreed for us.
Patience is a good, praise-worthy, and desirable character. It is a distinct moral of a Muslim. It has many graceful effects, good benefits, and generous consequences. It is an excellent means of strength against adversities, harms, hardships, and anxieties. It provides us resistance against weakness and endows us with a steadfastness in obeying Allah (SWT). It is the best tool of firmness against tribulations and temptations. Moreover, it is the weapon of a Muslim through which he will be successful both in this world and in the Hereafter.
What is Patience (Sabr)
Patience is to hold one’s soul from being impatient and displeased, holding the tongue from complaining, and the body parts from harming himself or others. The word (sabr) patience in the Quran and Sunnah of the beloved Prophet (PBUH) is mentioned in many places, which indicates the virtues and excellence of patience. There are numerous evidences of patience in the bible as well but they are not the subject at the moment.
Types of Patience (Sabr)
- Showing patience while obeying Allah by carrying out all sorts of good deeds and acts of worship.
- Showing patience by not committing sins and evil deeds.
- Showing patience on the trials and tribulations that Allah (SWT) decreed for us. One should not be displeased or impatient.
Also Read: Patience, Its Forms and Various Categories- An Islamic Perspective
Benefits of Patience (Sabr)
It is the great virtue and significance of patience that we will be recompensed with great rewards and achieve many good benefits. Some of these rewards and benefits are immediate and others are longer-term. Among the many benefits of patience in the Quran and Sunnah are the following:
In the Holy Quran
1). Those who have patience are the rightful people to lead because Allah (SWT) conditioned the leadership with patience. He says:
“And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (As-Sajdah 32:24).
2). Patience is the source of all goods. Allah (SWT) informed us with certainty in the following verse:
“But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (An-Nahl 16:126).
3). Moreover, it is due to patience that the patient ones will receive an abundance of rewards for their good deeds. Almighty Allah says:
“Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.” (Az-Zumar 39:10).
4). Allah, the Exalted loves the patient ones among his slaves. He says:
“And Allah loves As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (Al-Imran 3:146).
5). Allah is with those who endure patiently. He says:
“And be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (Al-Anfal 8:46).
6). Those who endure patiently will be successful both in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah (SWT) says:
“O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful.” (Al-Imran 3:200).
7). Allah (SWT) gave three major and great glad tidings to those who endure patiently while they are afflicted with calamities and trials. They will receive blessings of Allah, His Mercy and they are the ones who are righty-guided. He says:
“They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.” (Al-Baqarah 2:157).
8). If someone is pious and endures patiently, the plots of the enemies will never harm him at least and they will never overcome him. Almighty Allah says:
“But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do.” (Al-Imran 3:120).
9). The patient ones deserve to enter Paradise and the angels will present them the greetings of peace and blessing. Allah the Exalted says:
“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.” (Al-Furqan 25:75).
10). It is from the things that are recommended by our Lord and of the matters requiring determination. Allah, the Glorious says:
“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (Ash-Shura 42:43).
The verses about the virtues and benefits of patience in the Holy Quran are more than ninety verses.
There are more than ninety verses in the Holy Quran about the virtues and benefits of patience. Such a number of verses indicate the virtues and excellence of this matter.
In Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet:
1). Patience is illumination. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“As-Sabr (the patience) is illumination.” (Muslim 223).
Those who are deprived of their eyes and remain patient will enter Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Allah said: ‘If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them.” (Al-Bukhari 5653).
2). The one whose beloved ones or relatives die and endures patiently, Allah will also admit him to Paradise as a recompense for his patience. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Allah says, ‘I have nothing to give but Paradise as a reward to my salve, a true believer of Islamic Monotheism, who, if I cause his dear friend (or relative) to die, remains patient (and hopes for Allah’s Reward).’” (Al-Bukhari 6424).
3). The reward of being patient while the true believer is afflicted with any kind of calamities and trials. The Prophet (PBUH) 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.” (Al-Bukhari 5641, 5642).
4). The one who remains patient in the days of patience where there will be too many trials, tribulations, and temptations and do good deeds, will be rewarded with the similar reward of fifty of the Companions of the beloved Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Ahead of you there are days of patience when patience will be like grasping live coals, and the one who does good deeds will have the reward of fifty men who do deeds like his.” (Abu Dawud 4341).
5). Those who mix with people and bear their annoyance with patience will have great rewards. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.” (Ibn Majah 4032).
There are also many narrations of the beloved Prophet (PBUH), which highlight the importance of patience and indicate the great rewards and benefits of this venerable act of worship. Whoever wants to be patient, Allah will help him to be patient. None is ever given anything better and more far-reaching than patience.
Conclusion – Benefits of Patience in Quran and Sunnah
By knowing the benefits and meaning of patience, we must learn and develop how to have patience in our personality. How to develop patience characteristics in adverse scenarios and always be thankful to Al-Mighty Lord. Because we learn that whatever happens in life is decreed by Allah and we cannot avert that, hence having patience and feeling content in our life is important. I ask Allah (SWT) to endure us with patience and endurance. Ameen!
