In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

 

PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

 

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), his household, companions and all followers of the right guidance till the Day of Judgment. Allah, the Exalted, says: "O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere." Q2:153. "And seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard except to those who bring a lowly spirit. Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord and that they are to return to Him." Q2:45-6

 

There are some things in this world that are beyond the control of mankind. These things can bring either happiness or sadness. And every individual or nation will experience these things in one way or the other. Many people know how to cope with things that bring happiness, although some people still misuse the opportunity. However, many people usually have problems in coping with things that bring sadness like the death of a loved one, sickness, unemployment, disasters, etc. Some people change there religion simply because they have one problem or the other or because they badly need something they cherish very much.

In Islam, Allah has clearly stated that He will test us. He did not stop at that but He also informed us of what we need to pass the test or trial. "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return." They are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah and Mercy and they are the ones that receive guidance." Q2:155-7.

 

Therefore, patience and perseverance are integral part of faith. All prophets of Allah had serious problems while disseminating words of God, Allah even tested some of them with calamities but they all persevered and exercised patience. Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, stresses the importance of patience and perseverance in the following verses:

 

"And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." Q11:115

 

"O you my servants who believe! Fear your Lord: good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world.  Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!" Q39:10

 

"O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy: vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other to guide your territory; and fear Allah; that you may prosper." Q3:200

 

"And verily, if any show patience and forgive that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs." Q42:43

 

Allah, the Exalted, knows that it is not easy to exercise patience and perseverance during hardship, therefore, He promised those who do it great rewards. However, patience and perseverance will be easy for those who are humble and conscious of Allah (Q2:45-6)

 

Our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), was reported to have said that a strong man is not the person that can fight or with physical strength but the person that can control his anger (i.e. exercise patience). Sa'd ibn Abu Waqqas reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allah if good comes to him, and praises Allah and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his wife's mouth." (Tirmidhi Hadith 1733)

 

Abu Umamah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that Allah, who is Blessed and Exalted, said "Son of Adam, if you show endurance and seek your reward from me in the first affliction, I shall be pleased with no lesser reward than Paradise for you." (Tirmidhi Hadith 1758)

 

“Abu Umayyah ash-Sha'bani said: I asked Abu Tha'labah al-Khushani: What is your opinion about the verse "Care for yourselves".  He said: I swear by Allah, I asked the one who was well informed about it; I asked the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) about it.  He said: No, enjoin one another to do what is good and forbid one another to do what is evil.  But when you see niggardliness being obeyed, passion being followed, worldly interests being preferred, everyone being charmed with his opinion, then care for yourself, and leave alone what people in general are doing; for ahead of you are days which will require endurance, in which showing endurance will be like grasping live coals. The one who acts rightly during that period will have the reward of fifty men who act as he does. He said (The hearers asked:) Apostle of Allah, the reward of fifty of them? He replied: The reward of fifty of you.” (Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4327)

 

We all know what is happening in the world nowadays, some people are very wicked and they oppress other people. The oppressed have no choice but to exercise patience and perseverance. Our beloved prophet (PUBH) recommended the frequent recitation of Qur'an, especially, chapter 103 (one of the shortest chapters) after the end of every gathering.

"By (the Token of) time (through the Ages). Verily, man is in loss. Except such as have Faith and do righteous deeds and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth and of Patience and Constancy."  Q103:1-3

 

May Allah make patience and perseverance easy for us, may He not test us with a trial that is greater than what we can bear. We ask for Allah's forgiveness and mercy.

 

Ma salam.