Know that Nasr (aid) is accompanied by having Sabr (patience)

 Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzaan

From the modes of Sabr, is having patience upon the decree of Allaah that is distressful in what happens to the servant from the calamities and by definition it is restraining the soul from becoming restless/impatient, refraining the tongue from complaining, wailing and mourning; refraining the body from unlawful actions like striking the side of the face, tearing the clothes and making supplication of the Pre-Islaamic Era [i.e. all these occurrences are from one who mourns the deceased].

And having patience upon the calamity that happens suddenly is similar to what the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said:

“Patience is with the first blow.”

And Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمَوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)."

(Al-Baqarah 2:155)

Therefore it is a duty placed upon the believer to be patient upon whatever befalls him and whatever patience has been made easy upon him towards those affairs.

From those affairs is the person’s (level) of faith regarding the Qada’ and Qadr of Allaah—that whatever has befallen him did not happen due to a sin and whatever charge (of an offense) did not happen due to calamity upon him, Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allâh."

(Al-Hadid 57:22)

And from those affairs the person’s desire regarding the good reward and good ending that is with Allaah. For Allaah had indeed promised the Sabireen upon their calamities on enormous reward; thus Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

“But give glad tidings to As-Sabireen (the patient ones, etc.). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on who are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (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.”

{Al-Baqarah:155-157}

And the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said:

“Verily the greatest reward is accompanied by the greatest trial”

And from the matters in which you should be incumbent towards is having patience upon the calamity, waiting for the ease that comes with the removal of it. Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

“But lo! With hardship comes ease, Lo! With hardship comes ease.”

{Al Sharh verses 5&6}

And the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said:

 

“And know!! That Nasr (aid) is accompanied by having Sabr (patience), and Farj (happiness) is accompanied by Karb (sorrow) and hardship is accompanied by ease.”

{al Hakim volume 3, pg. 542}

And from that which aid is sought in it towards having patience upon calamities is remembering the blessing of Allaah bestowed upon the servant.

For indeed belongs to Allaah over the servant a multitude of blessings, more than from which misses the servant regarding calamities.

Therefore when you were to contemplate in that regard, the calamity would become of little importance to him while at the same time he would become aware of Allaah’s virtue on him.

Similarly what befalls the servant of a calamity is that he knows what befalls him is caused by his sin. Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

“Whatever of misfortune strikes you; it is what your right hands have earned. And He forgives much.”

{Ash-Shura:30}

So when he remembers that Allaah has placed a duty upon him to repent, fearing a punishment much more severe (than of the Dunya); for indeed the punishment of the Dunya is lesser than the punishment of the hereafter and in any case patience is tremendously important and its virtue is major.

Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

“But if ye persevere and ward off (evil), then that is of the steadfast heart of things.”

{Ali-’Imraan:186}

And Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) says:

“Verily the steadfast will be paid their wages without limit.”

{Az-Zumar:10}

Indeed Allaah has enjoined upon us with this, exalts those who adhere to this quality, giving them glad tidings, promising them that He will fulfill their reward without any limit, promising them assistance and leadership in the religion. 

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (رحمه الله) said:

“With patience and certainty leadership in the religion is granted.”

Then he recited the statement of Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى):

“And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command.”

{As-Sajdah verse 24}

Source: Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzaan, Al-Khutbah Al-Minbariyah, Vol. 1, Pages 389-391