Patience: The Key to God's Mercy (2/17/12 | 24/3/1433 - Masjid Quba)

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February 17, 2012 | Rabi Al-Awwal 24, 1433 - Masjid Quba 


Al-Baqarah (2:153)
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاَةِ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَO YOU who have attained to faith! Seek aid in steadfast patience and prayer: for, behold, God is with those who are patient in adversity.


Luqman (31:31):
 أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ الْفُلْكَ تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ آيَاتِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ Are you not aware how the ships speed through the sea by God’s favour, so that He might show you some of His wonders? In this, verily, there are messages indeed for all who are wholly patient in adversity and deeply grate­ful [to God]. 


PART I


Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. We truly need to be grateful that Allah has blessed us with another blessed day. This is a day on which we can achieve so many blessings. Sometimes we forget just how merciful Allah is to us. He has given us a day, each week, in which we can get spiritual refinement, economic prosperity, emotional upliftment and social development. Subhanallah wa bihamdihi. It is narrated that there is a certain time during this day that Allah has promised to answer a du’a that is offered to Him (swt). There time of the day is not specified, so we have to look at the entire day of Friday as a blessed day. We need to not let this day pass us by without really reaping the benefits of such a day. We come to Jumu’ah because we are commanded. But do we come to Jumu’ah out of love and gratitude to Allah? Do we come to Jumu’ah because we KNOW that Allah has promised. If we come to Jumu’ah and we are not pleased with what we hear or get what we had hoped to get, do we still thank Allah and then continue striving or do we become despondent and stop trying? Brothers and sisters, I contend that if we are not grateful and patient that we will always miss out on the bounties of Allah. If gratitude is the door that opens our heart to recognizing Allah’s mercies, then our patience is the key that unlocks that door - and vice-versa. Patience is that which will bring us more mercies from Allah and that which will allow us to enter Paradise because we were grateful for Allah’s mercies. Thinking of it another way, brothers and sisters, patience is the door to contentment and happiness in this life and the next.
What is Patience?
The renowned scholar, Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah, a student of Ibn Taymiyyah and a contemporary of Ibn Kathir and other scholars, authored a book book called, ‘Uddat as-Sâbirîn wa Dhâkhirat ash-Shâkirîn (The Way to Patience and Gratitude). In his book, he stated, “Îmân is in two halves: half is patience (sabr) and half is gratitude (shukr)”. Scholars have noted that  consists of words, deeds and intentions, all of which are based on one of two things, action or abstinence. Action refers to performing a deed in accordance with the instructions of Allâh, which is the reality of gratitude. Abstinence, as in refraining from wrong action, requires patience. Throughout our life, we basically strive to engage in the things that Allah has made permissible and avoid the things that Allah has prohibited. So patience involves seeking out and engaging that which Allah and His messenger have made lawful for us, and avoiding that which they have prohibited us. These things not only require patience, they depend on patience.  commanded and enjoined on us, while using the tools and faculties He (swt) has given us, to engage in those deeds. 


Let us look at some literal definitions of sabr (patience) and its derivatives:

• To bind
• To tie together
• To bear calmly
• To refrain abstain or desist
• To hold one’s own against attack
• To console, comfort and provide solace
• To conserve
• To make durable
• Steadfastness
• Self-control
• Endurance

All of these are meanings that are derived from this word sabr. There are many meanings and many types of patience. As you can see, how we understand it, “patience” does not aptly describe what sabr is. In a recent lecture, it was mentioned that sabr is to bear when there is no help but the help of Allah. What does that mean? We all know that nothing happens except by Allah’s permission. This is a fact. In some cases, there are actions we can take to improve our condition. This is one level of patience. For example: writing this khutbah - I was hungry. But, I could have stopped at any time and go get something to eat by Allah’s permission. I had the capability to change my condition. So yes, I had to have patience, but that is not the patience that is one level of it. Contrast that to the person who has nothing to eat and has no idea when their next meal will come. Yet still, they persevere. This is sabr. There is nothing they can do to change their condition. Or the person who is being abused and oppressed by those who have more authority over them. Think of Bilal ibn Rabah. When he was being tortured as a slave, what could he do? He called out on the Lord of the Worlds - that is sabr. This is the sabr that leads to fortifying your Iman - when you have no other help but that of Allah and when you realize that the only help you have is that of Allah.


In relation to our faith, it involves three things:

• Worshipping Allah and following His commands (Example: Pillars)
• Refraining from the prohibitions of Allah (Example: Alcohol, Gambling, Fornication, Backbiting, Slander, etc.)
• Surrendering to Allah’s decree and destiny (Example: Things you encounter throughout your life - hardships, setbacks, blessings you receive, etc.)

Patience is linked to Iman:

• It is faith / It is half of faith - In a narration, the Prophet (saws) was asked “What is faith?” His reply was “Patience”. In another narration, he is reported to have said that “Patience is half of faith” 
• No patience / No faith - It is reported that Ali ibn Abi Talib said, “Patience is to faith as the head is to the body; whoever does not have a head, does not have a body; whoever does not have patience, does not have faith.”
• It is reported in Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet said, “No one had ever been given anything better than patience”

Commanded to have patience / What do the People of Patience look like?:

• The Messenger of Allah said, “Patience is a treasure of the treasures of Paradise.” He also said, “If patience were a man, he would be a generous man; and God Most High loves the patient.”
• A wife whose husband desires polygyny - What is her behavior as a patient wife if the man is just and has always dealt with her justly? Does she forget the blessings that Allah has bestowed on her and allow her desires to manage her interaction with him and the family? A man who decides to engage in polygyny, does he turn away from his wife because she is coping with the difficulty of an extended family the best way she knows how to at the moment? How does he show patience and compassion in the face of this difficulty?
• A husband whose wife is abusive, oppositional and disobedient - Does he become violent, does her become verbally abusive or does he divorce her? How does he develop patience in managing the affairs of his household without being unjust and oppressive?

Benefits of Patience:

• Blessings, Mercy and Guidance - 2:155-157وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الاٌّمَوَالِ وَالاٌّنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّـبِرِينَ - الَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّـآ إِلَيْهِ رَجِعونَ - أُولَـئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَتٌ مِّن رَّبْهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ (155. And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient).) (156. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.'') (157. They are those on whom are the Salawat (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.)
• Rewards: (An-Nahl - 16:96) مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ اللّهِ بَاقٍ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَall that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting. And most certainly shall We grant unto those who are patient in adversity their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did.
• Peace and the hereafter:Ar-Ra’d (13:24)- سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ"Peace be upon you, because you have persevered!" How excellent, then, this fulfilment in the hereafter! Example - The embargo against the Muslims in the valley - 7 years after Prophethood

When should we be patient?

• All the time
• In good fortune - Do not become attached to it Children and possessions are merely a test from AllahUnderstand the right of others to your time, wealth and knowledge
• In misfortuneThose who afflicted, they say that from Allah we come...

What is Impatience:

• A sign of Ingratitude (disbelief) - Allaah hates a Kanood, or an ungrateful person, and punishes him. Imaam Al-Hasan said: “A Kanood, is one who remembers the disasters which befall him and always forgets to mention the favors from Allaah (upon him).” This quality is more apparent in women; for example, a woman's husband is kind to her for many years, but as soon as she experiences a minor shortcoming from him, she will immediately tell him that she has never seen anything good from him. This is a form of oppressing the husband, and thus the majority of the dwellers of Hell are women, the reason being that they are ungrateful to their husbands. If being ungrateful to one's husband results in punishment in Hell, how will the case be for those who are ungrateful to Allaah?

Causes of Impatience / Patience Inhibitors:
Mainly it is diseases of the heart

• Pride
• Lack of moderation in desires or nurturing the negative side of your desires
• Example: pornography, cursing, etc.
• Envy
• Preferring the impermissible

Harms of Impatience:

• Forgetfulness of AllahAl-Hashr (59:18-19) - “(18. O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah and let every person look to what he has sent forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.) (19. And be not like those who forgot Allah, and He caused them to forget themselves. Those are the rebellious.)
• Shaytan as a companionAbu-Bakr and Prophet “Once, a person was verbally abusing Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was curiously watching with a smile. After taking much abuse quietly, Abu Bakr responded to a few of his comments. At this, the Prophet exhibited his disapproval, got up and left. Abu Bakr caught up with the Prophet and wondered, ‘O Messenger of Allah, he was abusing me and you remained sitting. When I responded to him, you disapproved and got up.’ The Messenger of Allah responded, ‘There was an angel with you responding to him. When you responded to him, Shaytan took his place.’ He then said: ‘O Abu Bakr, there are three solid truths: If a person is wronged and he forbears it (without seeking revenge) just for the sake of Allah almighty, Allah will honor him and give him the upper hand with His help; if a person opens a door of giving gifts for cementing relationships with relatives, Allah will give him abundance; and, if a person opens a door of seeking charity for himself to increase his wealth, Allah will further reduce his wealth.’” (Musnad Ahmad).

The sad reality is that most of us are ungrateful. What is the proof of that? Allah says in the Qur’an: وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ …”Few are the truly grateful among My servants”... 34:13


Remember, we receive more good than we deserve and we are not given the amount of punishment that we deserve. Let us ask Allah to soften our hearts, increase us in gratitude and forgive us our sins.


May Allah (swt) grant us forgiveness, guidance and mercy...


PART II


Brothers and sisters, we should not dislike the trials that befall you or the calamities that happen to you, for they may be something that we hate but it leads to our salvation, and there may be something that we love, but it leads to our doom.


Action Plan:

• Du’aMake SINCERE du’a that Allah softens your heart to Him and to others so that you can be more grateful: My Lord! Stir me up that I may be grateful for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do good deeds which will please Thee. And be gracious unto me in mine offspring. Behold! I turn unto Thee repentant, and behold, I am of the Muslims. (Al-Ahqaf - 46:15)اللهم اِنِّي أسألك ... قلبًا شاكِرًا"O Allah! I ask Thee... for a grateful heart."
• PrayFocus on your prayersDo not rush through them
• Remind yourself to be patientYou have to train yourselfWatch your wordsWatch your actions
• Reconnect with the Qur’an
• Cultivating PatienceRetain hopeBeware of hopelessness and of despairing of Allah’s helpThe Prophet (saws) said: “Whoever trains himself to be patient, Allah will help him to be patient” - Are we training ourselves?