REWARD OF PATIENCE

REWARD OF PATIENCE

Sent by: Umme Mujahid

We all are tested from time to time. Whether it’s financial, health, loss of a loved one or issues in marriage, we should never lose sight of the bigger picture. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the one in control of all the things. It is stated in the Quraan that if Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) loves a people, He puts them to trial. He tests them and places them in difficulty.

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) states:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ[]الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ[]أُولَئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ [البقرة: 155-157]

“Surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient. Who, when a suffering reaches them, say: ‘We certainly belong to Allah, and to Him we are bound to return’. Those are the ones upon whom there are blessings from their Lord, and mercy as well; and those are the ones who are on the right path.” (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

And for one we all know what it’s like to lose what we love. This is when our faith is really put to the test and when we are tested with hardships what will we do? Will we complain why me, or cry or will we stand strong and tall and have faith in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)? The ones who have the Patience without complaining will be greatly rewarded whereas the one who was not patience will receive nothing.

A story of a girl is stated who lost her child and had not seen this child since he was very small. This woman has gone through hardship after hardship, within the Muslim community and outside of it. Regardless of what has happen to her and what she has had to go though, she has not let that rock her faith in Islam, and she has stood strong, even stood alone when she had no family support or no one to turn to and when everyone cast her aside. She always knew she has Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) and to this day she still prays to see that child she lost. But in the meantime, she has not let this obstacle stand in the way of her learning her Deen (Religion). She is putting her efforts in learning her Deen and has memorized a great deal of Quraan. When people ask her why you are so calm, she says: “I know Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the best of planners, and His decree is what He wills, and when He is ready for her trials and hardship to end. He will let it be.”

Islam teaches us to be patient with whatever befalls us just like in the Story of Prophet Hadhrat Ayyoob (Job). Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) tested Prophet Hadhrat Ayyoob in such a way that his health was taken away from him. Historians had wrote that not a single limb on his body was safe from disease except for his tongue and heart which he always remembered Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).

Difficulties worsened to an extent that people cut ties with him and cast him from the city due to his disease. The only person there to support him was his wife, Rahima.

Despite all the difficulties, Hadhrat Ayyoob was patient, persevering, and grateful. He was also constantly engrossed in the Zikr (Remembrance) of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) day and night. It was after years of forbearance and difficulty his wife Rahima told him: “Oh Ayyoob! Why don’t you beg Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to help you.”

He replied: “I lived for seventy years in prosperity why shouldn’t I be patient for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) for seventy years.”

It was after this that Hadhrat Ayyoob made the following Du’aa which Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has stated in the Surah Al-Anbyaa:

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ [الأنبياء: 83]

“And (remember) Ayyoob (Job), when he called his Lord saying: ‘Here I am, afflicted by pain and You are the most merciful of all the merciful.’” (Al-Anbiyaa 21:83)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) cured him and gave everything back to him which is stated in the next Aayah (Verse):

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِنْدِنَا وَذِكْرَى لِلْعَابِدِينَ [الأنبياء: 84]

“So, We answered his prayer and removed whatever pain he had, and gave him (back) his family and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Our own Self and as a lesson for the worshippers.” (Al-Anbyaa 21:84)

So in times of hardships and difficulties when we think all is lost and there is no hope, we should remember to have patience. In due time Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) will relieve us of all worries, and we will receive rewards a million in multitude for bearing it with patience.

Remember, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is always with us!

Regarding patience, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in Quraan:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ [البقرة: 45]

“Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed exacting, but not for those who are humble in their hearts.” (Al-Baqarah 2:45)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ [البقرة: 153]

“O you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayer. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” (Al-Baqarah 2:153)

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ وَاصْبِرُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ [الأنفال: 46]

“Obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not quarrel with each other, lest you should lose courage, and your prowess should evaporate; and be patient. Surely, Allah is with the patient.“ (Al-Anfaal 8:46)

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ [السجدة: 24]

“And We appointed leaders from among them who guided (people) under Our command, when they observed patience, and kept firm belief in Our Aayaat (Verses and Signs).” (As-Sajdah 32:24)

وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِلصَّابِرِينَ [النحل: 126]

“And if you were to harm (them) in retaliation, harm them to the measure you were harmed. And if you opt for patience, it is definitely much better for those who are patient.” (An-Nahl 16:126)

إِنْ تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِنْ تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا بِهَا وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ [آل عمران: 120]

“If something good happens to you, it annoys them, and if something evil befalls you, they are delighted with it. If you keep patience and fear Allah, their cunning shall not harm you at all. Allah is All-Encompassing of what they do.” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:120)

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُفُ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَذَا أَخِي قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ [يوسف: 90]

“They said: ‘Is it that you are, in fact, Yousuf?’ He said: ‘I am Yousuf, and this is my brother. Allah has been very kind to us. Surely, whoever fears Allah and observes patience, Allah does not let the reward of such good people to go to waste.’” (Yousuf 12:90)

إِنِّي جَزَيْتُهُمُ الْيَوْمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ [المؤمنون: 111]

“Today I have so recompensed them for their observing patience that they are the triumphant.” (Al-Muminoon 23:111)

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِمَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَلَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الصَّابِرُونَ [القصص: 80]

“And said those who were given knowledge: ‘Woe to you, Allah‘s reward is much better for him who believes and acts righteously. But this is given to none but to those who observe restraint’.” (Al-Qasas 28:80)

وَالْعَصْرِ []إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ [] إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ [العصر: 1-3]

“(I swear) by the Time! Man is in a state of loss indeed. Except those who believed and did righteous deeds, and exhorted each other to follow truth, and exhorted each other to observe patience.” (Al-‘Asr 103:1-3)

وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ [الطور: 48]

“And (O Prophet!) be patient about the decision of your Lord, because you are in front of Our Eyes. And proclaim the purity of your Lord along with His praise when you stand (in Salaah).” (At-Toor 52:48)

وَاصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِي ضَيْقٍ مِمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ [النحل: 127]

“And be patient. Your patience is bestowed by none but Allah, and do not grieve over them, and do not be in distress for what they devise.” (An-Nahl 16:127)

Our Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam)’s Hadeeth (Tradition) regarding patience are as under: Hadhrat Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudri narrated that some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then they asked him and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

‏”مَا يَكُونُ عِنْدِي مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلَنْ أَدَّخِرَهُ عَنْكُمْ، وَمَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْنِ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ يَتَصَبَّرْ يُصَبِّرْهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَا أُعْطِيَ أَحَدٌ عَطَاءً خَيْرًا وَأَوْسَعَ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ "‏۔

“If I had anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-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.” (Bukhari)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

"مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ الْخَامَةِ مِنَ الزَّرْعِ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَتَتْهَا الرِّيحُ كَفَأَتْهَا، فَإِذَا اعْتَدَلَتْ تَكَفَّأُ بِالْبَلاَءِ، وَالْفَاجِرُ كَالأَرْزَةِ صَمَّاءَ مُعْتَدِلَةً حَتَّى يَقْصِمَهَا اللَّهُ إِذَا شَاءَ‏۔”

“The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes.” (Bukhari)

Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik narrated that he heard Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) quoted Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) as saying:

"‏إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ إِذَا ابْتَلَيْتُ عَبْدِي بِحَبِيبَتَيْهِ فَصَبَرَ عَوَّضْتُهُ مِنْهُمَا الْجَنَّةَ ‏”

“If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Jannah (Paradise) in compensation for them.” (Bukhari)

Hadhrat ‘Ayeshah narrated that she asked Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) about the plague. He said:

"كَانَ عَذَابًا يَبْعَثُهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ، فَجَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ رَحْمَةً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ، مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَكُونُ فِي بَلَدٍ يَكُونُ فِيهِ، وَيَمْكُثُ فِيهِ، لاَ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْبَلَدِ، صَابِرًا مُحْتَسِبًا، يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لاَ يُصِيبُهُ إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ، إِلاَّ كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ شَهِيدٍ ‏”‏‏

“That was a means of torture which Allah used to send upon whom-so-ever He wished, but He made it a source of mercy for the believers, for anyone who is residing in a town in which this disease is present, and remains there and does not leave that town, but has patience and hopes for Allah’s reward, and knows that nothing will befall him except what Allah has written for him, then he will get such reward as that of a martyr.” (Bukhari)