Discontentment
is a trait of an impatient individual whose very own intolerant disposition
prevents them from receiving rewards from Allaah. Moreover, their sinful
behavior leads them to being overwhelmed by their difficulties. Consequently,
they are besieged by two afflictions: problems in their religion caused by
their unhappiness and the weight of the hardship that befell them in the first
place.
To
the contrary, the truly patient believer controls him or herself at the onset
of their difficulty. Yes, they do not like that this calamity has happened to
them, but they patiently control themselves. He or she refrains from uttering
anything or doing anything that would anger Allaah. Nor does this believer harbor
ill-feelings in their heart towards the Most Wise. In spite of their trials and
mishaps, this person is patient. The contented one is at ease and totally calm
during their adversity as though nothing has occurred.
Patient and grateful believers express
their gratitude to Allaah for whatever befalls them. This was the way of the
Messenger of Allaah صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم.
Whenever he saw something that displeased him, he would say, “Praise belongs to
Allaah.”
Hence,
displaying gratitude to Allaah results in Allaah giving this person a reward
greater than the misery they suffered. Case in point, once there was a devout
believing woman who possessed a serious ailment in her fingers. Despite the
pain, she constantly praised Allaah. “How is it that you praise Allaah and
you’re suffering great pain in your fingers?” she was asked. She replied,
“The sweetness of its reward causes me to disregard the bitterness of
patience.” Allaah is the One who grants success.
Next,
the author, An-Nawawi, quotes an ayah in which Allaah praises sabr and urges
the believer to be patient:
“O you who believe, endure and be more
patient and remain stationed and fear Allaah, so that you may be successful.”
Aali-Imran 3:200.
In
this verse, Allaah commands the believer to do four things that are both
requirements and distinguishing features of their faith:
1. Patience
with disobedience
2. Perseverance
during obedience
3. Al-Murabitāh 1
4. Taqwa
Patience
with acts of disobedience only occurs when the soul incites a person to commit
an evil act. If the notion to commit evil does not arise in the individual, it
cannot be said that this person is patient with disobedience. However, if your
soul does incite you to disobey Allaah and His Messenger, resist! Remain
patient, and control yourself.
As
for endurance and perseverance, they are intricate elements in obedience to Allaah,
which entail two things:
1. Consistency
in performing obligatory duties.
2. Demanding
on the soul. Acts of obedience are similar to acts of disobedience in that they
weigh heavily on the soul – in particular the human being’s baser self which
incites the person to commit evil.
For
this reason, patient perseverance while obeying Allaah is superior to patiently
abstaining from sin. Allaah says, “…and be more patient.” This is
comparable to someone fighting against you as a man fights against his enemy.
As for Al-Murabitāh, it involves frequent and continuous good deeds. The
Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said, “Performing wudu in adverse
situations, taking a lot of steps to the masjid, and waiting for another prayer
afterwards, that is what you should do. That is what you should do!
[Muslim]
Taqwa
encompasses all of these actions because as the believer adheres to the
commandments of Allaah and avoids His prohibitions, Taqwa serves as a
protection from Allaah’s punishment.
Allaah
concludes His speech in this verse by stating that compliance with these four
commands is a prescription for success. He says, “Perhaps you will be
successful.” The word successful is a comprehensive word centered around
the obtainment of something desired and security from something dreadful. So
whoever possesses Taqwa acquires what they want and is safe from whatever they
fear.
Footnotes:
1. Frequent and continuous good
deeds
- Transcribed from: Sabr: Patience & Tolerance | From An-Nawawi’s Riyadus-Saliheen with explanation by Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen
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