18. Be patient and steadfast

We are faced with lessons in patience every day of our lives. Spiritual enlightenment and contentment are hard tasks and longterm goals . that are difficult to achieve. Since this is not an easy. journey, patience is required at each step along the way. Patience is the driving power that will keep you going. 142 139 Muslim, Al:tmed and Nasa' i. 140 Tirmidhi. 141 Tirmidhi and AI:tmed. 142 Carter-Scott, 1999. Do you hate getting stuck in traffic jams?

This is the easiest test to check your patience. If you do hate traffic, then you certainly need to work more on increasing your patience, because chances are - according to Cherie Carter-Scott - you will probably face more traffic jams than someone who has no problem with it: this is mainly because you will just focus on the bad traffic more than someone who does not mind it. 143 Remember this hadith: «Suhayb reported that the Prophet (~) said: "The believer's affair is amazing: it is all for the good, and that is not the case of anyone other than a believer. If good times come to him, he is thankful and thus it is good for him, and if bad times befall him, he is patient, and thus it is also good for him."» 144 The Arabic word ~abr in that hadith is often translated as 'patience', but in this and many other contexts the word 'steadfast' may be closer to the true meaning, because ~abr carries the meaning of 'constant', 'firm' and 'unwavering'. In many verses in the Quran, Allah praises those who are patient. Allah also links good deeds and merit~ to patience: ~And We made from among them [Children of Israel], leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient..) (Quran 32: 24) 143 Carter-Scott, 1999. 144 Muslim. ~Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever with Allah [of good deeds] will remain.

And those who are steadfast, We will certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do) (Qur 'an 16: 96) (\. :.,:.) •_;_,.....) ( .. Only those who are steadfast shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning) (Qur 'an 39: 10) ( .. And Allah is with the steadfast ones) (Quran 2: 249) 'Umar ibn al-KhaUab once wrote to Abu Moosa Ash'ari saying: "Observe patience. Know that patience is of two kinds; one is better than the other. It is good to have patience in disasters, but it is even better to keep yourself away from unlawful things.

And know that patience is the gist of faith and this is because the fear of Allah is the best religious act and this is gained by patience. ,,1 45 «Prophet Muhammad (~ ) observed: "The best (aspects) of faith are patience and tolerance." » 146 According to Ghazali the Elder, there are three kinds of patience: 147 1. Patience over things that we cannot control, like accidents and natural disasters, physical pain and diseases. The practice of this type of patience leads to the contentment of the soul. Prophet Muhammad (~ ) said, «Wondrous is the case of a believer; there is good for him 145 Ghazfili the Elder, 2001. 146 Hadith authenticated by Albani. 147 Ghazfili, 2001. in everything, and it is so for (the believer) only. If he experiences something agreeable, he is grateful to Allah and that is good for him; and if he experiences adversity, he is steadfast (patient) and that is good for him.» 148 Allah (~) says: ~And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and crops, but give glad tidings to the steadfast ones.

Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on whom are the blessings [i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven] from Allah, and [they are those who] receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones) (Quran 2: 155-157) 2. Patience at the inclination of evil and this includes self-control, forbearance by containing one's anger and the acceptance of one's situation. If bad habits are added to desire or passion, things can really get out of control. To restrain oneself from sinful deeds, a person really needs to practice patience.

Prophet Muhammad (~) said: «A mujahid (one who strives in Allah's cause) is one who engages in jihad against his own self in obeying Allah, and a muhajir (immigrant) is one who migrates from all crimes and sins.» 149 This type of patience includes patience in the face of people's offences, forgiveness and forbearance. Prophet Muhammad (~) 148 Muslim. 149 Bayhaqi (authenticated by Albani). said: «Join the tie with one who severs it from you, give charity to the one who deprives you and forgive the one who oppresses you.» 150 This is a high degree of patience that needs a lot of training and self-control, but it is true nourishment for the soul and a way to enlightenment and self-purification. 3. Patience (forbearance) in experiencing pleasure and happiness. When people feel very comfortable enjoying physical health, safety, property, wealth and the admiration of others; they can throw themselves into these worldly comforts and possessions without control and fail to remember either the source of their blessings or the ultimate purpose of their creation. According to Muslim scholars, this kind of patience is more difficult to practice than the other two types.

Allah (~ ) says: ,.{,_~ ,,. 1.-:: , , 1. , ,,. _ , ~"1,,. Jt-:- :. !l""~,,;.:1,,. !<i ,, ;.1-w "~1}.. ~~ ~ ..r.-1 ,o~ .o.llJ ~ _:.:)..).;.J_J') f'"""'Y !:-T ( \ o : J.WI •_;r-) ~Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward [Paradise].~ (Quran 64: 15) These material things are tests that require us to exercise patience in order to prevent them from controlling our lives, and to keep us from becoming enslaved by our desires. Again we are reminded of the importance of detachment. Patience is an essential requirement to keep us detached from worldly passions.

Enjoy your youth, your wealth and your children, but do not get too attached to any of them: do not let them distract you from your true mission in life. 150 A sound hadith noted by Albani. Practice patience Once 'Ali ibn Abi Talib(~) had some guests in his house; he called his servant several times to ask him for some water, but the servant did not answer. After a few minutes, 'Ali got up himself to fetch the water. To his surprise, he found the boy lying on the kitchen floor, chanting. 'Ali asked him: "Didn't you hear me calling for you?" The boy answered, "Yes I did"; so 'Ali asked, "Then why didn't you answer me?" The boy replied, "Because I know that you wouldn't do me any harm." 'Ali laughed and went back to his friends and told them what had happened.

Of course they advised him to fire this servant. 'Ali said, "No, I practice my patience on him." 151 There are many ways to practice patience through Islamic teachings; Rama<;lan fasting is an important one. Prophet Muhammad (~) said: «Fasting is half of patience.» 152 Fasting is an exercise of patience. People who fast regularly learn to control their desire for sex and food, and also learn to control their tempers. Our Prophet also taught us a dua' to help us in different situations throughout our lives: «If a servant is inflicted with adversity let him supplicate: "We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. 0 Allah, give me blessing in this adversity, and follow it with what is better for me (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oon.

Allahumma ajurnee fee museebatee wakh-luf lee khayran minha)." And Allah will answer his request.» 153 The belief in predestination (Allah's decree) is one of the pillars of faith, and it is a prerequisite for patience. This means that the Muslim should believe that what has befallen him or her was not 151 'Abd al-Kati, (iJKII ~ ~ . .)), n.d. 152 Tirmidhi and lbn Majah. 153 Muslim. going to miss them and what has missed them was not meant to befall them. This attitude is an excellent way to learn to tolerate calamities and difficulties in life. It also helps to know what Prophet Muhammad (~ ) said: «No fatigue, no disease, no sorrow, no sadness, no hurt, no distress befalls a Muslim, even if it was the prick he received from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for it.» 154