AL QUR'AAN ON PATIENCE

The word "Patience" is usually used to translate the Arabic word "Sabr". This is a narrow meaning of the word however as it implies, among other things, other virtues such as determination, fortitude, steadfastness, perseverance, diligence, self-control, persistance and constancy.

"Nay, seek (God’s) help with patient perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lovely spirit -" (2 : 45)

“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere –

“Who say, when afflicted with calamity ‘To God we belong and to Him is our return –‘

“They are those on whom (descend) blessings from God, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (2 : 155-7)

“it is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness – to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.” ( 2 : 177)

“Yea, - if ye remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you in hot haste, Our Lord would help you with five thousand angels making a terrific onslaught.” (3 : 125)

“So lose not heart, nor fall into despair; for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in faith.” (3 : 139)

“How many of the Prophets fought (in God’s way), and with them (and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God’s way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast.” ( 3 : 146)

“O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear God; that ye may prosper.” (3 : 200)

“And We made a people, considered weak (and of no account), inheritors of lands, in both East and West, lands whereon We sent down our Blessings, the fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and We levelled to the ground the great Works and Fine Buildings which Pharaoh and his people (erected with such pride.” (7 : 137)

“And obey God and His Apostle and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: for God is with those who patiently persevere.”

“And be not like those who started from their homes insolently and to be seen of men, and to hinder (men) from the path of God: for God compasseth round about all that they do.” (8 : 46-7)

"Nor do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward." (11 : 11)

"And be steadfast in patience; for verily God will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." (11 : 115)

"Jacob said: 'Nay, but ye have contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe God will bring them (back) all to me (in the end), for He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom." (12 : 83)

"Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience. Now how excellent is the final Home." (13 : 24)

"What is with you must vanish! What is with God will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions." (16 : 96)

"But if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient."

"And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from God, nor grieve over them and distress not thyself because of their plots." (16 : 126-7)

"I have rewarded them this day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved bliss. (23 : 111)

"Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what we have given them." (28 : 54)

"O my son! Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong: and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in the conduct of affairs." (31 : 17)

"Seest thou not that the ships sail through the ocean by the Grace of God? – that He may show you of His Signs? Verily in this are Signs for all those who constantly persevere and give thanks." (31 : 31)

"And We appointed, from among them, Leaders giving guidance under our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our Signs." (32 : 24)

"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God’s praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward." (33 : 35)

"And take in thy hand a little grass, and strke therewith: and break not(thy oath). Truly We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)." (38 : 44)

"Say: ‘O ye my servants who believe! Fear your Lord. Good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is God’s earth! Those who patiently persevere will surely receive a reward without measure!'" (39 : 10)

"And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune." (41 : 35)

"And among His Signs are the ships, smooth-running through the ocean, (tall) as mountains."

"If it be His Will, He can still the wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful." (42 : 32-33)

"But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs." (42 : 43)

"Therefore patiently persevere, as did all apostles of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the (Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them (it will be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day. (Thine but) to proclaim the Message: but shall any be destroyed except those who transgress?" (46 : 35)

"Now await in patience the command of thy Lord for verily thou art in Our eyes: and celebrate the praises of thy Lord the while thou standest forth." (52 : 48)

"And wait with patience for the command of thy Lord, and be not like the companion of the Fish,- when he cried out in agony." (68 : 48)

"And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them he will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk."

"Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun’s (excessive heat) nor (the moon’s) excessive cold." (76 : 12-13)

"When will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion."

"Such are the companions of the Right Hand." (90 : 17-18)

"By (the token of) Time (through the Ages),"

"Verily Man is in loss."

"Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy." (103 : 1-3)

AHADITH ON THE REWARD FOR SABR

"Allaah says: 'O son of Adam! If you remained patient restraining yourself, and expecting my reward at the initial shock, I will not be happy without rewarding you with Jannah.'"

"Wondrous are the believer’s affairs. For him there is good in all his affairs, and this is true for a believer. If he encounters something troubling, he remains steadfast with patience, and that is good for him. If he encounters something pleasing, he thanks Allaah, and that is good for him."

"Whoever practises Sabr, Allaah gives him Sabr. And no one can be given anything better or more far-reaching (comprehensive) than Sabr."

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