The present article consists of the reality of a great pillar of faith, “Patience,” its importance, virtue, and its fruits and benefits in the light of the Quran and Hadith. In the previous sermon, the first part of faith, i.e., gratitude, was discussed, while in this article, the second fundamental part of faith, patience, is explained in detail. It clarifies the literal and technical meaning of patience, the status of patience in the Holy Quran, examples of patience from the Prophets (peace be upon them), and the worldly and hereafter benefits of patience, so that every believer can adopt patience in their practical life.
Literal and Technical Meaning of Patience
In the Arabic language, the meaning of patience is: to restrain and bind.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ﴾
Translation:
“And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His face.”
Keeping this literal meaning in view, some scholars have defined patience as follows:
(حَبْسُ النَّفْسِ عَنِ الْجَزَعِ وَالتَّسَخُّطِ، وَحَبْسُ اللِّسَانِ عَنِ الشَّكْوَى، وَحَبْسُ الْجَوَارِحِ عَنِ التَّشْوِيشِ)
Meaning:
“To restrain the heart from anxiety and displeasure, to keep the tongue from complaints and grievances, and to protect the limbs from restlessness and disorder.”
In other words, patience means that a person remains steadfast in adversity, does not complain with the tongue, and does not express despair or unease.
Patience: The Greatest Good
It should be remembered that patience is the greatest good and there is no better gift than it.
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((مَا يُعْطَى أَحَدٌ عَطَاءً خَيْرًا وَأَوْسَعَ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ))
Translation:
“No person has been given a gift better and more expansive than patience.”
The Importance of Patience in the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty has mentioned patience in the Holy Quran more than a hundred times in various ways, which clarifies its greatness and necessity.
The Command of Patience to the Prophet ﷺ
﴿فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ﴾
Translation:
“So be patient, as the resolute messengers were patient.”
Exhortation of Patience to the Believers
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا﴾
Translation:
“O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.”
Glad Tidings for Those Who Are Patient
﴿وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾
Translation:
“And give glad tidings to the patient.”
The Mutual Relationship Between Patience and Prayer
﴿وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ﴾
Translation:
“Seek help from Allah through patience and prayer.”
Allah’s Presence is with the Patient
﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
Allah’s Love for the Patient
﴿وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾
Translation:
“And Allah loves the patient.”
The Reward of the Patient is Not Wasted
﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ﴾
Translation:
“Allah does not let the reward of the righteous go to waste.”
These words are of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), who was patient through the cruelty of his brothers, imprisonment, and long trials, and Allah granted him the rule of Egypt as a reward for his patience.
All these verses clearly prove that a believer should remain patient and steadfast in every situation and should take the patience of the Prophets, peace be upon them, as an example for themselves.
The Prophets, Peace Be Upon Them, and the Highest Example of Patience
In the light of the Quran and Hadith, it is absolutely clear that the most severe trials befell the Prophets (peace be upon them), but these pure personalities demonstrated such patience, steadfastness, and reliance on Allah in those hardships that it serves as a guiding light for every believer.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
((اَشَدُّ النَّاسِ بَلَاءً الْاَنْبِيَاءُ، ثُمَّ الْاَمْثَلُ فَالْاَمْثَلُ، يُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلٰى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ…))
Translation:
“The greatest trials come to the Prophets (peace be upon them), then to those next in rank after them. A person is tested according to his religion. If he is strong in religion, his trial is severe, and if he is weak, it is according to that. To the extent that a servant walks on earth in such a state that no sin remains upon him.”
The Patience of Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him)
The clearest and most famous example of the patience of the Prophets is that of Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty Himself mentions his severe physical illness, financial loss, and separation from his family in the Quran:
﴿وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ﴾
Translation:
“And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called upon his Lord, ‘Indeed, Satan has afflicted me with hardship and torment.'”
Allah Almighty further said:
﴿إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back to Us.”
At another place, He said:
﴿فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ﴾
Translation:
“So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity.”
Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) suffered from severe illness for about twelve years, yet he never complained. When he prayed, he only said:
﴿أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ﴾
“O my Lord, indeed adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
The Reward of Patience: Allah’s Special Mercy
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“When Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was bathing, locusts of gold began to fall upon him…”
This incident is proof that patience is never wasted; rather, Allah Almighty rewards it in both this world and the Hereafter.
Patience of Other Prophets (peace be upon them)
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾
Translation:
“And Ishmael, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon them) were all of the patient.”
The Unparalleled Patience of the Holy Prophet ﷺ
The hardships endured by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in his life are unmatched. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that while mentioning the incident of Ta’if, the Prophet ﷺ said:
((بَلْ أَرْجُوْ أَنْ يُخْرِجَ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَصْلَابِهِمْ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ))
Translation:
“Rather, I hope that Allah will raise from their descendants those who will worship none but Allah alone.”
This is the highest example of patience, forbearance, and mercy, which remains a model for humanity until the Day of Judgment.
Some Great Fruits of Patience
❀ The companionship of Allah with the patient
❀ Allah’s love for the patient
❀ Reward without account for the patient
❀ Patience becomes an expiation for sins
Allah Almighty says:
﴿إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”
Some Great Fruits and Benefits of Patience
It is absolutely clear from the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Hadiths that patience is not merely a moral quality but a means of success in this world and the Hereafter. For those who are patient, Allah Almighty has appointed countless worldly and otherworldly rewards.
➊ In this world, Allah’s mercy descends upon those who are patient
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ ٭ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ ٭ أُولٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ﴾
Translation:
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them
From these verses, it is understood that for those who are patient:
❀ Allah’s special mercy descends upon them
❀ The door of guidance opens for them
❀ The trials of this world turn into good for them
Supplication and Patience in Calamity
Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ تُصِيبُهُ مُصِيبَةٌ فَيَقُولُ: إِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اَللّٰهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا، إِلَّا أَخْلَفَ اللّٰهُ لَهُ خَيْرًا مِنْهَا))
Translation:
“Whenever a Muslim is afflicted with a calamity and he recites this supplication: ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. O Allah! Reward me for my affliction and compensate me with something better than it,’ then Allah will compensate him with something better than it.”
Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, I recited this supplication, and Allah granted me a better husband than him, namely the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
➋ The Great Reward for the Patient in the Hereafter
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾
Translation:
“And We will surely give those who are patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.”
These are the best rewards, the highest ranks in Paradise.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿أُولٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا﴾
Translation:
“These are the ones who will be granted the highest ranks in Paradise as a reward for their patience, and they will be welcomed there with peace and blessings.”
He also said:
﴿الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ﴾
Translation:
“These are the ones who were patient and relied upon their Lord.”
Calamities are expiation for sins
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ﴾
Translation:
“What afflicts you of disaster is from what your own hands have earned, and Allah pardons much.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلَا وَصَبٍ وَلَا هَمٍّ وَلَا حُزْنٍ وَلَا أَذًى وَلَا غَمٍّ، حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةُ يُشَاكُهَا، إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللّٰهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ))
Translation:
“Any pain, illness, sorrow, or distress that befalls a Muslim—even a thorn prick—Allah expiates his sins because of it.”
Trials continuously pursue the believer
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
((مَا يَزَالُ الْبَلَاءُ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ وَالْمُؤْمِنَةِ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَمَالِهِ، حَتَّى يَلْقَى اللّٰهَ وَمَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ))
Translation:
“Trials continue to come to a believing man and a believing woman in their life, wealth, and children until they meet Allah without any sin remaining upon them.”
All these evidences prove that the one who is patient actually becomes Allah’s beloved servant, and every hardship in this world becomes a means of success in the Hereafter for him.
Patience in the Separation from Loved Ones
One of the great trials sent by Allah Almighty is the separation from loved ones. At this time, it is very necessary for a believing man and a believing woman to exercise patience, and this is the requirement of Islamic Shariah.
Guidance from the Incident of the Prophet’s Daughter ﷺ
Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that one of the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Hazrat Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her) sent a message to him that her child was near death and requested him to come.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ sent a message and said:
((إِنَّ لِلّٰهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى، وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى، فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ))
Translation:
“To Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives, and everything has a fixed appointed time, so be patient and hope for reward from Allah.”
Afterwards, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came to the child. Seeing the child’s delicate condition, tears flowed from his eyes. Upon this, Hazrat Saad رضي الله عنه said: O Messenger of Allah! What is this?
He ﷺ said:
((هَذِهِ رَحْمَةٌ جَعَلَهَا اللّٰهُ فِي قُلُوبِ عِبَادِهِ))
Translation:
“This is the mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants.”
This hadith is evidence that shedding tears from the eyes is not contrary to patience; what is forbidden are lamentations, wailing, and the ways of ignorance.
Prohibition of Impatience
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَطَمَ الْخُدُودَ، وَشَقَّ الْجُيُوبَ، وَدَعَا بِدَعْوَى الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ))
Translation:
“He is not one of us who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes, and cries out in the manner of ignorance.”
And Hazrat Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrates:
Translation:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, expressed disassociation from the woman who screams and wails during times of calamity, shaves her head, or tears her clothes.”
Great Glad Tidings of Patience on the Death of Innocent Children
There are great glad tidings in Shariah for those who are patient upon the separation from innocent children:
➊ Narration from Hazrat Anas, may Allah be pleased with him
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((مَا مِنَ النَّاسِ مُسْلِمٌ يَمُوتُ لَهُ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْوَلَدِ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحِنْثَ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُ اللّٰهُ الْجَنَّةَ))
Translation:
“Whoever a Muslim has three minor children who die, Allah will admit him into Paradise.”
➋ Narration from Hazrat Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him
((مَنْ مَاتَ لَهُ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْوَلَدِ كَانُوا لَهُ حِجَابًا مِنَ النَّارِ))
Translation:
“Whoever has three minor children who die, they become a shield for him from the Hellfire.”
➌ Special Glad Tidings for Women
((مَا مِنْكُنَّ مِنِ امْرَأَةٍ تُقَدِّمُ ثَلَاثَةً مِنْ وَلَدِهَا إِلَّا كَانُوا لَهَا حِجَابًا مِنَ النَّارِ))
Translation:
“Among you, whoever a woman has three children who die, they become a shield for her from the Hellfire.”
A woman asked: “What about two?”
You ﷺ said: “Two as well.”
Guarantee of Paradise for Those Who Are Patient
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
((يَقُولُ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى: مَا لِعَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ عِنْدِي جَزَاءٌ إِذَا قَبَضْتُ صَفِيَّهُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ احْتَسَبَهُ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُ))
Translation:
“When I take the beloved of My believing servant and he is patient, his reward is nothing but Paradise.”
All these ahadith are definitive proof that patience in the separation from loved ones is the highest manifestation of faith, and Paradise is certain for such patient ones.
Patience in Physical Hardships and Illnesses
One of the greatest trials is physical illness and pain. A believing servant should choose the path of patience, reliance on Allah, and prayer instead of anxiety, complaints, and despair in such a condition.
The entire life of Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) is a shining example of this patience. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ﴾
Translation:
“And remember Ayyub (peace be upon him), when he called upon his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.'”
Allah Almighty accepted his prayer and said:
﴿فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ﴾
Translation:
“So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity.”
This is evidence that praying during illness is not against patience, rather praying with patience is the method of the Prophets.
Illness is an expiation for sins
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
((مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يُصِيبُهُ أَذًى شَوْكَةٌ فَمَا فَوْقَهَا إِلَّا كَفَّرَ اللّٰهُ بِهَا مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِهِ))
Translation:
“When a Muslim suffers even a prick from a thorn, Allah expiates his sins because of that.”
Reward for patience in the trial of eyesight
Hazrat Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
((إِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَالَ: إِذَا ابْتَلَيْتُ عَبْدِي بِحَبِيبَتَيْهِ فَصَبَرَ، عَوَّضْتُهُ مِنْهُمَا الْجَنَّةَ))
Translation:
“Allah says: When I test My servant through his two beloved things (eyes) and he is patient, I will grant him Paradise in return.”
The epileptic woman and the glad tidings of patience
Hazrat Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them, narrates that a black woman came to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and said that she suffers from epileptic seizures.
He ﷺ said:
((إِنْ شِئْتِ صَبَرْتِ وَلَكِ الْجَنَّةُ، وَإِنْ شِئْتِ دَعَوْتُ اللّٰهَ أَنْ يُعَافِيَكِ))
Translation:
“If you wish, then be patient, and for you is Paradise; and if you wish, I will pray to Allah to cure you.”
The woman chose patience, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed for her veil.
Patience in the face of people’s hardships
Sometimes trials come from people:
❀ Insults and slanders
❀ False accusations
❀ Backbiting
❀ Character assassination
The Noble Prophet ﷺ also faced such hardships, but he always chose the path of patience.
Allah Almighty commands:
﴿فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ﴾
Translation:
“Be patient over what they say.”
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) narrates that a person objected to the distribution by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, so he ﷺ said:
((يَرْحَمُ اللّٰهُ مُوسَىٰ، قَدْ أُوذِيَ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ هٰذَا فَصَبَرَ))
Translation:
“May Allah have mercy on Musa (Moses), he was given more hardship than this, yet he was patient.”
The reward for being patient while living among people
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((اَلْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ وَيَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ أَذَاهُمْ أَعْظَمُ أَجْرًا))
Translation:
“The believer who lives among people and patiently endures their hardships has a greater reward than the believer who isolates himself from people and does not endure patiently.”
Patience in the face of oppression by rulers
Some trials also come from oppressive rulers. In such situations, the Sharia has instructed patience.
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((مَنْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ أَمِيرِهِ شَيْئًا يَكْرَهُهُ فَلْيَصْبِرْ))
Translation:
“If a person sees something disliked from his ruler, he should be patient with it.”
Patience in the trial of daughters
Sometimes a person faces trials because of daughters, such as not finding suitable matches, financial difficulties, or social pressure. Islam has instructed parents to be patient, to treat them well, and to provide good upbringing in all such situations, and has promised great reward for this.
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((مَنِ ابْتُلِيَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْبَنَاتِ فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِنَّ كُنَّ لَهُ حِجَابًا مِنَ النَّارِ))
Translation:
“Whoever is tested with daughters and remains patient with them, those daughters will become a shield for him from Hell.”
Good Treatment of Daughters
In Sahihain, there is an incident narrated by Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that a woman came with her two daughters, having nothing to eat. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) gave her one date, which she divided into two parts and gave to both daughters, while she herself did not eat anything.
When this was reported to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he said:
((مَنِ ابْتُلِيَ مِنَ الْبَنَاتِ بِشَيْءٍ فَأَحْسَنَ إِلَيْهِنَّ كُنَّ لَهُ سِتْرًا مِنَ النَّارِ))
Translation:
“Whoever is tested with daughters and treats them well, they will become a shield for him from Hell.”
Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((مَنْ عَالَ جَارِيَتَيْنِ حَتَّىٰ تَبْلُغَا جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنَا وَهُوَ كَهَاتَيْنِ))
Translation:
“Whoever raises two daughters until they reach maturity, on the Day of Judgment he and I will be like these two fingers.”
Conditions of Patience
The true benefits of patience are attained only when it fulfills some basic conditions:
➊ Patience should be solely for the pleasure of Allah
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ﴾
Translation:
“And those who patiently persevere for the sake of their Lord.”
He also said:
﴿وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ﴾
Translation:
“And be patient for the sake of your Lord.”
➋ No complaint or grievance should be expressed verbally
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((قَالَ اللّٰهُ: إِذَا ابْتَلَيْتُ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنَ فَلَمْ يَشْكُنِي إِلَىٰ عُوَّادِهِ أَطْلَقْتُهُ مِنْ إِسَارِي))
Translation:
“Allah Almighty says: When I test My believing servant and he does not complain about Me to the people, then I free him from the imprisonment of the trial.”
➌ Patience should be exercised at the onset of the calamity
Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
((إِنَّمَا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَةِ الْأُولَىٰ))
Translation:
“True patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”
The Mutual Relationship Between Supplication and Patience
Praying during trials is not contrary to patience; rather, it is true patience. The Prophets, peace be upon them, always prayed with patience.
Prophet Yaqub (Jacob), peace be upon him, said:
﴿إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللّٰهِ﴾
Translation:
“I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah.”
Prophet Yunus (Jonah), peace be upon him, prayed:
﴿لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾
Translation:
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
Conclusion
It is essential for every Muslim man and woman to adopt patience in every trial of life, to guard the tongue from complaints, to keep the heart content with Allah’s will, and to prove through actions that they are truly patient. May Allah grant us the ability to practice all forms of patience and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen.
