Patience In the Qur'an

Patience in the Qur'an

Patience is mentioned more than 90 times in the Qur'an. No other moral value is mentioned as much, not even truthfulness or honesty. The word is mentioned in the imperative form in the Qur’an. For example, Allah SWT also says what can be translated as, “And seek help in patience and prayer” ( 2:45).

If you wish to be close to Allah, then be patient. If you achieve that degree of closeness, you will hardly have any reason to fear committing sins. Allah says what can be translated as, "Surely Allah is with the patient" ( 7:46), and as, "And indeed We will definitely try you with something of fear and hunger, and diminution of riches, and selves, and products; and give glad tidings to the patient" (2:155).

Patience is the only deed whose reward is endless. We all know that the reward of a single good deed shall be ten-fold, and that of giving charity may be even 700-fold. However, no one knows where the limit of reward of patience lies.

Also, Allah SWT says what can be translated as, "And Allah loves the patient" (3:146). Knowing that Allah is with the patient and loves them is enough to encourage people to endure. You will have the power to quit smoking, obey your parents, connect your severed ties of kinship, and resist gazing at what you are not allowed to look at, if you simply bear that in mind.

Moreover, Allah SWT says what can be translated as, "And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our Command, since they (endured) patiently and had certitude in Our signs" (32:24). This ayah is about the Jews during one of the periods in which they were compliant. Allah in this ayah says that leadership and supremacy depends on two props: patience and certitude in Allah. The torn Muslim ummah (Muslim nation) will not attain leadership over all nations except through patience. Patience is not only illustrated through performing the different acts of worship. Patience can be in focusing on reform and improvement of production, while abstaining from sins, handling distress, and putting ultimate trust in Allah, as well.

Allah SWT says what can be translated as, "And indeed he who (endures) patiently and forgives, surely that is indeed (an act of true) resolve concerning His Commands" (42:43). It is an act of resolve then when you have patience over an offence and forgive those who hurt you.

Allah urges believers and messengers to have patience. He addresses the Prophet, saying what can be translated as, "So (endure) patiently, as the Messengers endowed with resolve (endured) patiently"(46:35). Patience here turns from being an insubstantial theory into a tangible practice to adhere to.

Allah stresses patience in his advice to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and his ummah, "O you who have believed, be patient, and vie in patience, and be garrisoned (i.e., Keep a standing army ready to defend you) and be pious to Allah, that possibly you would prosper" (3:200).

Addressing the Prophet s.a.w, Allah SWT says what can be translated as, "So (endure) patiently under the Judgment of your Lord, and do not be as the Companion of the Whale (Prophet Yûnus “Jonah”) as he called out, as he (was) made to choke (inwardly). Had there not overtaken him a favor from his Lord, indeed he would have been flung off upon the naked shore (i.e., the wilderness) (while) he was a reprobate" (68:48-49).

The stories of the prophets in the Qur’an always end with the moral that is to be understood from the stories. Surat Yusuf and surat Hud conclude with many morals. At the end of Surat Nuh (Noah), Allah says what can be translated as, "So (endure) patiently; surely the (fair) end is for the pious" (11:49). Through this story, Allah tells the Prophet s.a.w. to learn from those who were patient before him as their end is most certainly “fair”.

Allah also teaches us that victory shall not be granted to the Muslims unless they persevere in following the right path. Allah describes in Surah al-Baqarah the confrontation between Jalut (Goliath) with his army of non-believers and Talut (Saul) with his army of believers. At the end of the story, he says what can be translated as, “(But) the ones who expect that they will be meeting Allah said, “How often a little community has overcome a much (larger) community by the permission of Allah; and Allah is with the patient." (2:249). Allah says in a later ayah what can be translated as, "So they routed them, by the permission of Allah" (2:251).

Allah also says in Surat al-Anfal what can be translated as, "In case there are twenty of you, patient (men), they will overcome two hundred" (8:65). According to this ayah, victory is conditional on the element of patience. If you have the patience to abstain from sins, worship, study, work, and behave yourself with your parents, then be certain that you will succeed in what you are doing. Do not blame ‘deep-rooted habits’ for your behavior; but rather you should train yourself to be patient.

Allah SAW says what can be translated as, "And similarly many a Prophet there has been along with whom myriads manifold have fought; so in no way did they feel feeble for whatever afflicted them in the way of Allah, and in no way did they weaken, and in no way did they yield themselves; and Allah loves the patient" (3:146). The victory of religion also relies on patience.

(extracted from an article of amrkhaled net in Kalamullah web)