The young wayfarer asked, "What is the meaning of 'the Pen has dried (after having written) all that will occur. If the whole of creaton, in its entirety, was to try and effectuate some benefit for you through something that Allah has not ordained, they would not be able to do so; and if they wished to harm you through something that Allah has not decreed, they would not be able to do so'?" The statesman said, "Before we discuss the statement, I would like to discuss about the statement, 'Know that great good, lies in bearing with patience what you dislike, that victory comes with patience, that relief comes with distress, and that with hardship comes ease.' This statement, mention about patience, in Arabic is Sabr, which comes from a root meaning to detain, refrain and stop. In the spiritual sense, patience means to stop ourselves from despairing and panicking, to stop our tongues from complaining, and to stop our hands from striking our faces and tearing our clothes at times of grief and stress. Allah says,
وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ"And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance..." - [QS. 18:28]Some scholars have defined patience as a good human characteristic or a positive psychological attitude, by virtue of which we refrain from doing that which is not good. Human beings cannot live a proper, healthy life without patience.
Patience is a generic term that is manifested in numerous facets of human life. Each of these manifestations has its distinct name and description. If patience is exhibited in restraining sexual desire, the result is honour, its opposite is adultery and promiscuity. If it is manifested in controlling one's stomach, it is called self-control and its opposite is greed.
If it is manifested in keeping quiet about that which it is not fit to disclose, it is called discretion, its opposite is disclosing secret, lying, slander or libel. If patience is manifested in being content with what is sufficient for one's needs,it is called abstemiousness and its opposite is covetousness. If it is manifested in controlling one's anger, then it is called forbearance, the opposite of which is impulsiveness and hasty reaction.
If it is manifested in refraining from haste, then it is called gracefulness and steadiness, its opposite is to be hotheaded. If it manifests in refraining from running away, then it is called courage and its opposite is cowardice. If it manifests in refraining from taking revenge,then it is called forgiveness, the opposite of which is revenge.
If it manifests in refraining from being stingy, then it is called generosity, the opposite of which is miserliness. If it manifests in refraining from being lazy and helpless, then it is called dynamism and initiative. If it manifests in refraining from blaming and accusing other people,then it is called chivalry.
All these names may be applied to patience in different situations,but all are covered by the same idea of patience.This is an indication that the entire spectrum of life is moderated by patience."
The young wayfarer asked, "Is it possible to complain about one's difficult condition and still possess the virtue of patience?" The statesman said, "There are two categories of complaining or shakwah, first, the permissible complaints include, complaint to Allah. That is, complaining to Allah does not contradict patience. This has been demonstrated by several of the Prophets, for example, when Prophet Yaqub, alaihissalam, said,
بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ"...Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting..." - [QS.12:83]Then he said,
إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ"...I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah..." - [QS.12:86]Second, impermissible complaint include, complaint to people. That is, Complaining to people, either directly, through our words, or indirectly, through the way we look and behave is contrary to the attitude of patience. Khabaab bin Al-Arat, radhiyallahu 'anhu, narrated,
"We complained to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (of the persecution inflicted on us by the infidels) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka'ba, leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to him, 'Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allah for us?' He said, 'Among the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces; yet that (torture) would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with iron combs that would remove hisfleshfrom the bones and nerves, yet that would not make him abandon his religion. By Allah, this religion (i.e. Islam) will prevail till a traveller from Sana (in Yemen) to Hadrarmaut will fear none but Allah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty." - [Sahih al-Bukhari]However, describing one's condition to specific people, such as physician or a close friend whose advice or knowledge is required in obtaining solution to a particular problem is not synonymous with the type of complaint that is discouraged."
The young wayfarer asked, "What is the strength of Patience?" The statesman said, "Every individual has two forces at work moderating his actions and inactions. One is the "driving force", which pushes him towards some actions, and the other is the "restraining force", which holds him back from others. Patience essentially harnesses the driving force to push us towards good things,and the restraining force to hold us back from actions that may be harmful to ourselves or others.[Part 2]
Some people have strongpatience when it comes to doing what is good and beneficial for them, but their patience is weak with regard to restraint from harmful actions. So, you may find that such individual has enough patience to perform acts of worship, but he has no patience in controlling himself and refraining from following his whims and desires and in this way he may commit haram deeds. Conversely, some people may have strong patience in abstaining from forbidden deeds, but their patience in obeying commandments and performing ibadah, is too weak. Some people have no patience in either case! And, needless to say, the best people are those who possess both types of patience.
Most people will be lacking in patience in any one case, and a few lack it in all these cases. So,a man may have plenty of patience when it comes to standing for the night prayer, and enduring whatever conditions of heat or cold that may be prevalent, but may have no patience at all when it comes to lowering his gaze and refraining from looking at women. Another may have no problem in controlling his gaze, but he lacks the patience, which would make him enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and he is so weak and helpless that he cannot even spare a word of truth against the Kuffaar and mushrikuun."
The young wayfarer asked, "What is the virtue of patient?" The statesman said, "Allah has commanded us with patience and made it the most honourable trait with which man could be endowed after Eemaan. The trials, man goes through in this world are numerous and varied. Sometimes, they come as difficulties and some other times in form of ease. Allah says,
وَبَلَوْنَاهُمْ بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ"...And We tested them with good [times] and bad that perhaps they would return [to obedience]." - [QS.7:168]The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"Whoever abstainsfrom asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himselfself-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]So, only the patient ones attain success. The importance of patience is further demonstrated by frequent reference to it in the Qur'an where it is mentioned in 90 places. It is one virtue by which Allaah grants immense reward.
Part of the virtues of patience is that if you were to consider all possible actions or reactions to take in a particular situation, you will find patience the best course of action. It is a cause for Allah's mercy and help, and Allah's mercy is usually attached to exercising patience. And also, When patience is combined with remembrance of Allah, the result is Allah's rewards which brings spiritual joy.
Allah says,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." - [QS.2:153]
The young wayfarer asked, "What the difference between patience and contentment?" The statesman said, "The difference between patience and contentment is that patience is to restrain the soul and to prevent it from displeasure while sensing discomfort or pain. Contentment necessitates that the heart readily accept what it is facing and, even if it was to feel some pain at what it is facing, the sense of contentment will lessen it, perhaps even remove it altogether. This is because the heart has felt the soothing breath of certainty and cognisance. Al-Hasan said, ‘The state of contentment is rare, but patience is the recourse of the believer.’ Sulayman al-Khawas said, ‘The station of patience is below that of contentment. Contentment is that a person, before the onset of tribulation, is content whether it is present or not. Patience is that a person, after the onset of tribulation, bears it steadfastly.’
There are three types of patience. First, patience upon obedience to Allah. The need for Sabr (patience) is just as clear in fulfilling the other obligatory deeds. With Sawm (fasting) comes the hardship of hunger and thirst, preventing the soul from food and its desires. The reward of Sadaqah (charity) will not be complete without parting with the wealth that is beloved to us. And in Jihad, one is exposed to the danger of being killed or injured. All of which require patience and perseverance. Patience upon obedience to Allah has three parts. First, patience prior to an act of ibadah. This patience is done by purifying the intention behind the act and avoiding Ar-Riya (showing off). Second, patience upon the act of lbadah which is ensuring that the act itself is legislated in the Shariah and performed in a manner that is consistent with the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). Third, patience after the act of lbadah by being patient upon keeping it hidden and not making a show of it. This could nullify the reward of the act.
The second type of patience is patience upon the disobedience to Allah. That is, perseverance in staying away from sinful acts. Human soul is naturally disposed towards evil except the one whom Allaah has mercy upon. The soul tends to indulge in its desires even if there is harm and an evil punishment in that for it. If a person does not grab hold of his desires with the reins of patience, his soul will run away with Shaytan into the field of Muharramaat (prohibited things).
This type of patience distinguishes the righteous Muslim whose heart is imbued with Taqwa (fear of Allah) from the rest of the Muslims. It is not unusual for both the righteous and unrighteous person to perform the obligatory duties, but it is really only the pious person that keeps himself away from sins and evil deeds.
The third type of patience is that which is required at the time of trials resulting from the Qadar of Allah. This could be at the time of a painful affliction or what we fail to get. At this time, the only outlet is patience. Allah says,
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الأمْوَالِ وَالأنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَAnd 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." - [QS.2:155]This patience involves withholding the heart from despairing; withholding the tongue from complaining, mourning and wailing; and holding back one's body parts from committing the Haraam (prohibited) acts such as hitting oneself (as women are known to do at the death of loved ones) and ripping off the clothes and other actions of the Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance). And patience upon this takes place immediately after the occurrence of the hardship.
A major ingredient of a believer's patience over Qadar is his strong belief that whatever afflicts him is from the decision of Allah and it is best for him. Another thing that stirs a believer's patience is his desire for the immense reward that accrues from it. Allah has promised,
أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ"Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided." - [QS.2:257]This type of patience is what connects the Prophet's statement, 'the Pen has dried (after having written) all that will occur. If the whole of creature, in its entirety, was to try and e ectuate some benefits for you through something that you have not ordained, they would not be able to do so; and if they wished that they would not be able to do it, they would not be able to do it or not,' with the statement 'Know that great good, lies in bearing what you dislike, victory comes with patience, that relief comes with distress, and that with hardship comes ease. ' Nations and other successful people who were stronger than they were in power and vaster in wealth. One of the qualities that grant success in power and wealth is patience. Allah relates the statement of Prophet Musa, alaihissalam, to his people,
قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ اسْتَعِينُوا بِاللَّهِ وَاصْبِرُوا إِنَّ الأرْضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ"Said Moses to his people, "Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous." - [QS.7:128]Whatever the turn of event a believer encounters in his affair as a result of his patience, there is an assurance that the end is sure to be good if he perseveres upon his patience.
