By S.
Arshad, New Age Islam
18 May 2021
Patience
Is The Second Nature Of A True Believer
Main
Points:
1. God asks believers to observe restraint in
every affair of life.
2. Namaz and patience are stressed equally by
the Quran.
3. Patience is a prophetic quality.
4. Patience and perseverance are richly
rewarded in the Hereafter.
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The Quran
stresses again and again on the importance and significance of Salat ( five
times prayers) because Namaz is the pillar of Deen. Along with establishing
Namaz, the other quality that Quran wants believers to develop within them is
the power of self-restraint or patience. A true believer always observes
restraint, patience and tolerance in face of provocation and hardships. The
holy Quran time and again asks believers to remain steadfast on the right path
in spite of obstacles and conspiracies. It also narrates the tales of various
prophets who persevered and observed patience. Patience, therefore, is a
prophetic quality. The Quran asks Muslims to establish Salat and then enjoins
on him to observe patience and restraint.
"And be steadfast in patience for Allah
will not cause the reward of the righteous to perish. (Hud:115)
In another
surah, the Quran again stresses the importance of patience ( Sabr) in the
following words:
"And We shall certainly bestow on those
who patiently persevere their reward according to the best of their
actions."(Al
Nahl:96)
The Quran
narrates the story of the brothers of Prophet Yusuf a.s. who tried to kill him
and told their father Prophet Jacob a.s. a false story about Prophet Yusuf. But
Prophet Jacob a.s. observed patience.
"And they brought his shirt with false
blood. He said 'nay! Yourselves have embellished for you an affair; so patience
is good (Fa Sabrun Jameel) and Allah is to be implored for help in that which
you describe."(Yusuf:18)
Here
Prophet Jacob a.s. observed patience when his jealous sons brought to him the
false news of Hadhrat Yusuf's death.
God also
asks Prophet Noah a.s. to observe patience when his community became hostile to
him. He practised restraint in face of resistance and harassment from them. God
assured him that in the end the righteous will be rewarded and the sinners,
however rich and powerful will perish.
"So persevere patiently, for the end is
for those who are righteous."(Hud:49)
Muslims are
asked to observe restraint when they do dawah work because while doing dawah
they may face hostility from the non-believers. In such a situation, the Quran
asks the believers to be patient and tolerant. In case of hostilities, though
Muslims are allowed to defend themselves or inflict an equal blow to the
opponents, they are advised to be patient which is better.
"And if you do catch them out catch them
out no worse than they vatch you out but if you show patience that is best for
those who are patient."( Al Nahl:126)
"Who restrain anger and pardon men for
Allah loves those who do good." ( Al-e-Imran:134)
The
believer is asked to seek the help of Allah with patience and prayer. According
to the following verse too, patience and Namaz go hand in hand:
"O ye who believe! seek help with patient
perseverance and prayer; Allah is with those who patiently persevere."(Al Baqarah:153)
Apart from
these verses on Sabr (patience), there are other verses as well that stress the
reward of patience and perseverance. In short, patience is the second nature of
a true believer.
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Sohail
Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/patience-tolerance-believer/d/124839
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