Day 8: ‘...And That is Better for Him’

One of the most admirable Muslim characteristics is patience. Allah (Exalted is He) has made patience fruitful for whoever practices it. Patience is mentioned in the Qur’an more than seventy times. Along with salaat, it is a means of seeking help of Allah: “And seek help with patience and prayer....” (Qur’an 2 Verse 40) He has also attached great importance, goodness and reward to it. In Qur’an 16 Verse 96 Allah (The Exalted) says “…and surely we shall reward those who were patient according to the best of their deeds”. In addition, “these shall be given their reward twice, for that they endured patiently…” (Qur’an 28 Verse 54) and they will not be short-changed, “… surely the patient shall be rewarded in full without reckoning.” (Qur’an 39 Verse 10)

Although patience is a human disposition, but it is given religious colouring because of its value. The Prophet (peace be upon him) describe the virtues of patience stating that, “Patience is half of faith”. It is one thing to be patient in pleasurable situations, but it is extremely difficult to show patience in adversity, thus the Prophet admonished, “having patience in what you dislike is abundant goodness”.

It is narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Fasting is a paradise so there should be no obscene or offensive talk or behaviour. If a person fights him or insults him, let him say, ‘I am fasting,’ twice. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah then the fragrance of musk. [Allah says:] ‘He gives up his food, drink and desire for My sake. Fasting is for Me and I will reward for it, and a good deed receives the reward of ten like it’.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Some of the elements of patience:

Endurance: Allah says in Surah 31 Verse 17 “Endure patiently whatever may afflict you, for that shows determination in (handling) matters.”

Steadfastness: Allah says in Qur'an 7 Verse 128 “Seek help from Allah and be patient; the earth belongs to Allah. Anyone he wishes from among his servants shall inherit it.”

In Qur'an 10 Verse 109 we find that Allah says “Follow what has been revealed to you and be patient until Allah judges, for he is the best Judge.”

Further, in Qur'an 2 verse 250 we find the dua “Our lord, fill us full of patience and make our feet firm. Support us against disbelieving folk.”

Controlling Desire: Allah says in Qur'an 18 Verse 28: “Restrict yourself to those who appeal to their Lord in the morning and evening, desiring his countenance; do not let your eyes wander too far away from them, desiring the attraction of worldly life.”

We should be grateful to Allah (The Exalted) in whatever situation we find ourselves in life. The prophet (peace be upon him) said “How wonderful is the case of a believer; verily, everything is good for him, and this is not the case with anyone except a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” So the Muslim is in a win-win situation. Do not forget to give gratitude to Allah when things are good and note that it is unbecoming of Muslim to misbehave, or excessively grieve or weep against the will of Allah.

Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience". [Bukhari and Muslim].

This hadith mentions the special Grace and Mercy of Allah for the Muslims. It relates how Allah turns the hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim into a means of expiation for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. However, if he starts wailing instead of showing patience, then besides suffering hardships, he would be deprived of the reward which lies in bearing them patiently. Thus, he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also.

Let us practise patience during this Ramadan and beyond insha'Allah.

- Contributed by Nasrudeen O. Aminu, UK.