Will you be patient? - Part 2

by Arty

PART 1

Bismillah

Part 1 of this topic discussed having patience in good and difficult times and in our interactions with people. This part continues looking at the benefits of having patience and ways in which we can achieve it inshaAllah.

In seeking nearness to Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala

Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala tells us in the noble Qur’an that one of the ways to attain nearness to Him in this life and in the next is by being patient.

In this life, Allah promises us in the Qur’an that HE is with those who are patient. As long as we remain patient in this life, we are assured of Allah’s presence, protection and help.

... And Allah is with the patient. (2:249)

Likewise, in the hereafter, the patient ones are also promised nearness to Allah by being awarded the highest place in Paradise.

Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. (25:75)

The Chamber referred to in the ayah above is explained in most translations as the highest place in Heaven. 

There are three ways a believer can exercise patience in order to seek nearness to Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala. Scholar Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on his soul, explains to us in his book ‘explanation of the three principles’, the three types of patience a believer must have in this life. 

• Patience in staying away from the unlawful (haram)

Sometimes what we desire goes against what Allah wants from us. In these instances, we have to be patient and remember that our reward for being patient is no less than Paradise.

But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge. ( 79:40-41)

• Patience in obeying Allah’s commands

Without patience one may find it hard to worship. Ibn Uthaymeen mentioned that whoever tries to obey the teachings of Qur’an, will surely see his patience tried. The solution is asking Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala for help and exercising patience.

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]. (2:45)

• Patience regarding the decree of Allah

Whenever we are afflicted, we have to remember that this is a trial from Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala and we need to be patient. Indeed, whatever happens to us was already decreed over fifty thousand years and could not have been avoided.

Reported by Abdullah bin Amr bin Al As: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: “Allah ordained the destiny of the creations fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and His Throne was upon water.” (Muslim)

Thus, believers seeking nearness to Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala should counsel one another in remaining patient upon the obedience of Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala, upon staying away from the disobedience and upon the trials decreed for them.

The advice my father gave me when I was just a teen is one of the best advice I received in my life. This golden advice, along with studying the principles of patience and understanding how much Allah loves those who are patient, helps to deal with many trials in life. Lately, whenever I face a trial, the first question that comes to mind is the question Allah Subhannahu wa ta’ala asks us in the Qur’an. “Will you be patient?” This question helps me to refocus and engage in patience hoping for Allah’s rewards. May Allah make us patient in all aspects of our lives. May we be among those who will receive the great rewards especially meant for the as-sabbireen (the patient ones). Ameen.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post comments in the section below!

Posted in: Allah,Arty,commands,Decree,Haraam,Part 2,patience