CHAPTER FIFTEEN Patience in the Qur’an

Imam Ahmad (may Allah bestow His mercy upon him) said: Allah has mentioned patience in the Qur’an in ninety instances.
We mention here some texts in where patience is dealt with as follows:
References to patience:
1- Patience is a Command:
Allah says,
{But thou be patient, for thy patience is but with the Help of Allah}
(An-Nahl: 127)
{Now await in patience the command of the Lord.}
(At-Tur: 48)
2- Shunning its opposite, i.e. impatience:
Allah says,
{And be in no haste about the unbelievers.} (1)
(AL-Ahqaf: 35)
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1. Prophet Muhammad is commanded not to be impatient either about the success of his mission or the punishment of those who oppose it.(Translator)



{So lose not heart; nor fall into despair.}
(Al ‘Imran: 139)
{And be not like the companion of the fish} (1)
(Al-Qalam: 48)

3- Prosperity depends on one’s patience:
Allah says,
{O ye who believe persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that ye may prosper.}
(Al-‘Imran: 200)
Prosperity is dependant on patience, perseverance, constancy, self-restraint and refusing to be subjected.

4- The patient one’s reward is twofold:
Allah says,
{Twice they will be given their reward, for that they have persevered in patience.}
(Al-Qasas: 54)
Sulaiman Ibn Al-Qasim said: Rewards of all acts are knwn except for patience that is because Allah says,
{Those who patiently persevere will truly receive their reward without measure.}
(Az-Zumar: 10)

5- Religious leadership is based on patience and certainty:
Allah says,
{And we appointed, from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience.}
(As-Sajdah: 24)

6- Obtaining the company of Allah:
Allah says,
{For Allah is with those who patiently persevere.}
(Al-Baqarah: 153)
Abu ‘Ali Ad-Daqqra said: Those who are patient are honored both in this world and the Hereafter, for Allah has granted themHis providence.

7- The glad tidings of three things for them only:
Allah says, {but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who says, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return”. They are on those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.}
(Al-Baqarah: 155-157)
An early Muslim was once consoled during affliction, he said: Why should not I keep patience while Allah has promised me three things, which is better than all the word.
8- Patience is assistance and equipment:
Allah says,
{Nay seek (Allah’s) Help with patient perseverance and prayer.}
(Al Baqarah: 45)

9- Patience and consciousness of Allah result in victory:
Allah says,
{Yea, if ye remain firm, and act right, even if the enemy rush here on you in hot haste, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels clearly marked.}
(Al ‘Imran: 125)
It is reported by Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (pbuh) said, Behold! Victory comes with patience.”

10- Patience and consciousness of Allah are the most powerful shields against the enemy’s plots.
Allah says,
{But if ye are patient and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you.}
(Al ‘Imran: 120)

11- The angels greet those who are patient in Paradise:
Allah says,
{And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (will the salutation) “peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience.}

12- Allah has permitted them to apply equitable punishment for any wrong done to them, but He swore that patience is superior.
He says,
{And if ye punish, let your punishment be proportionate to the wrong that has been done to you: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course)for those who are patient.}
(An-Nahl: 126)

13- Forgiveness and great reward are determined by patience and good deeds:
Allah says,
{So do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness: for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.}
(Hud: 11)
Thus, those who show patience are excluded from the blameworthy people who fall into despair and ingratitude when experiencing affliction; and if favors touch them, they fall into exultation and pride.

14- Patient forbearance during adversities requires firm resolution:
Allah says,
{But indeed if any show patience and forgives, that would truly be an affair of great resolution.}
(Ash-Shura: 43)
He also says,
{Enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong , and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.}
(Luqman: 17)

15- Allah has promised the patient believers victory: Allah says
{The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy.}
(Al-A’raaf): 137)

16- Allah loves only those who are steadfast in patience:
Allah says,
{How many of the prophets fought (in Allah’s way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah’s way, nor did they weaken (in wil) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast in patience..}
{Al ‘Imran: 146)

17- Twice in the Qur’an, Allah has favored only those who show patience, with the traits of righteousness:
First, in the part of Qur’an which says,
{Those who had been granted true knowledge said: Alas for you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work righteousness; but this none shall attain, save those who steadfastly persevere in good patience.}
(Al-Qasas: 80)
Second, in Surat Ha-Mim or Fussilat, where man is commanded to “repel evil with what is better:
{Then will he, between whom and thee was hatred become as it were they friend and intimate. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, one but the persons of the greatest good fortune.}
(Fussilat: 34-35)

18: Only those who show patience and are grateful for Allah’s bounties and favors derive benefit and take heed of Allah’s signs:
Allah says,
{We sent Moses with Our signs (and the command:) ‘bring out thy people from the depths of darkness into light, and remind them of the Days of Allah.’ Verily in this there are signs for those who are firmly patient and constant, grateful and appreciative.}
(Ibrahim: 5)
He also says,
{Verily in this there are signs for all who constantly persevere and give thanks.}
(Luqman: 31), (Saba’: 19) and (Ash-Shura: 33)
19: Allah has highly praised His servant Job for his patient forbearance:
Allah says,
{Truly we found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent is the servant ever did he return (to Us).}
(Sad: 44)
Job is referred to here as “ An excellent servant” due to his patience; otherwise he would have been “An Evil servant.”

20: The unbelievers, as well as impatient persons are doomed to utter loss:
Allah says,
{by the time (1) , verily, Man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of patience and constancy.}
(Al-Asr: 1-3)
Ash-Shafi’ said: If the whole of mankind thought over these Ayat, they would find room for themselves therein. Man’s integrity is obtained only through knowledge and patience. In fact, as man yearns for self-perfection, he also needs to perfect his fellow man. This springs from enjoining truth and observing patient perseverance.

21- Allah has singled out “The companions of the Right Hand”(2) as those who enjoin patience and treat people in gentle manners:
Allah says,
{Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. Such are the companions of the Right hand.}
(Al-Balad: 17-19)

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1.’Asr may mean time through the ages or long periods , the late afternoon from which the ‘Asr obligatory prayer takes its name. (Translator)
2. The companions of the Right hand are denoted as those who receive their book in the Hereafter with their right hands, and, thus, achieve salvation. (Translator)
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The companions of the Right hand are confined to those who possess such traits. Compared to them, we find people come under four categories. The other vile ones are:
2- Those who are neither patient nor kind.
3- Those who are patient but merciless.
4- Those who show love and compassion, but are rather impatient.

22- Allah has enjoined patience along with the pillars of Islam including all aspects of faith, e.g., with prayer:

Allah says,

{Nay, seek (Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer.}
(Al-Baqarah: 45)

With piety and consciousness of Allah: Allah says,

{Behold, that is righteous and patient.}
(Yusuf: 90)

With Righteous deeds in general: Allah says,

{No so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness.}
(Hud: 11)

With thanks-giving: Allah says,

{Verily in this there are signs for such as are firmly patient and constant, grateful and appreciative.}
(Ibrahim: 5)

With mercy: Allah says,

{And enjoin patience (constancy and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion.}
(Al-Balad: 17)

With truth: Allah says,

{And (join together) in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy.}
(Al-‘Asr: 3)

With certitude and faith: Allah says,

{So long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in our signs.}
(As-Sajdah: 24)

With veracity and truthfulness: Allah says,

{For true men and true women, for men and women who are patient and constant.}
(Al-Ahzab: 35)

In short, Allah has made patience the means for obtaining His love, company, providence, victory, help and great rewards.

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