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Importance of Patience (Sabr) in Islam

Patience has great status in the sight of Allah Almighty and in Islam. Patience is of best from deeds and has the great reward with no limit.

…And be patient and persevering, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
(Holy Qur’an, 8: 46)

Prophet Muhammad said:

“Strange indeed are the affairs of the believers, for all their affairs are good for them… If good things happen to them, they’re thankful, and that is good for them; and if bad things happen to them, they remain patient, and that too is good for them.”
(Muslim, 2999)

Allah Almighty said in Holy Quran:

“Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without Hisaab (without limit, calculation, and estimation).”(Quran, 39:10).

There is great reward only for those among us who are patient with the Decree of their Lord. In this world, we face many difficulties or trials and sufferings but we have to be patient because Allah Almighty loves those who did Patience (Sabr) in a difficult time.

Patience is the ability to endure difficult circumstances such as perseverance in the face of delay; tolerance of provocation without responding in annoyance/anger or forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties

The Prophet tells us that:

“True patience is at the first stroke of calamity.” (Al-Bukhari, 1302)

As Islam is a complete code of life and it guides and teach us in every sphere of life. So it teaches us we have to do patience in our difficult situation in this way we have the strong belief on Almighty Allah that He will never leave us alone.

In Quran, Allah said:

“And be Patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.”

Patience with steadfast belief in Allah is called sabr, one of the best virtues of life in Islam. Through sabr, a Muslim believes that an individual can grow closer to God and thus attain true peace. It is also stressed in Islam, that Allah is with those who are patient, more specifically during calamity and suffering.

Islam teaches us to be patience with whatever befalls us just like in the Story of Prophet Ayub عليه السلام. Allah سبحانه و تعالى tested Prophet Ayub عليه السلام in such a way that his health was taken away from him. Historians had wrote that not a single limb on his body was safe from disease except for his tongue and heart which he always remembered Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

Types of Patience (Sabr)

Showing patience while obeying Allah by carrying out all sort of good deeds and acts of worship.

Show Patience by not committing the sins and evil deeds.

Showing patience on the trials and tribulations that Allah (SWT) decreed for us. One should not be displeased or being impatient.

Complaining is the opposite of patience. It is our belief and Faith that Allah (SWT) Alone can protect us from all harms and ease our difficulties. Therefore, patience is obligatory in such panic situations and hardships in all that Allah (SWT) had decreed for us.

It is a good, praise-worthy and desirable character. It is a distinct moral of a Muslim. Patience has many graceful effects, good benefits and generous consequences. It is an excellent mean of strength against adversities, harms, hardships and anxieties. Patience provides us resistance against weakness and endows us with 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.

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Benefits

It is the great virtue and significance of patience

Allah tells us that He loves those who are patient, and that is the greatest encouragement. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Allah loves As-Sabiroon (the patient)”
[Al-Imraan 3:146]

Moreover, it is due to patience that the patient ones will receive abundance 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).

So in times of hardships and difficulties when you think all is lost and there is no hope, remember to have patience. In due time Allah سبحانه و تعالى will relieve you of all worries, and you will receive rewards a million in multitude for bearing it with patience.

Remember, Allah سبحانه و تعالى is always with you!

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
[Quran 2:153]

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then they asked him and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then he said “If I had anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 1469 Book-24 Hadith-72]

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).

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “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.’”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5653 Book-75 Hadith-14]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “

How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.”