Pati=
ence as
a virtue in Ramadan
BS Foad, M.D
We will discu=
ss the
following concepts:
1-&n=
bsp;
Ramadan
is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is paradise
2-&n=
bsp;
Patience
is an active process, as we obey God’s orders, control our vain desir=
es
and accept our fate without complaints and try to change our fate to another
fate that God may will for us
3-&n=
bsp;
How
can we learn to be patient and persevere?
4-&n=
bsp;
The
rewards of being patient is unrivalled
Ramdan is the month of patience
Prophet Muhammad (PBU=
H)
described Ramadan as the month of patience (narrated by Nesa’ee).
He also stated that being grateful to Allah is half the faith, and being
patient is the other half of faith. He said: (I wonder for the affairs of t=
he
believer, all his affairs is good for him; this =
fate
only belongs to those who believe. If he is enjoying a blessing, he is grat=
eful
to Allah, and this is good for him; and if he is experiencing difficulty, he
patiently persevere, and this is good for him) narrated by Ahmad & Musl=
im
after Sohain
During Ramadan we must
control our desire for food and drink and intimate contact, and we pray
regularly and offer additional prayers, and we recite the Qur’an ofte=
n,
and we conduct ourselves properly and not harm anyone in word or deed, and =
we
hasten in all good deeds. All this requires patience, perseverance,
determination and commitment. Our priorities change so that pleasing God and
getting close to Him is our main goal, everything else becomes secondary.
Because Ramadan requires patience and sacrifice, Allah promised a great rew=
ard
for those who fast this month with devotion and conduct themselves properly.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said after his Lord: (Fasting is done for My sake, and I give its reward. He leaves his food, dr=
ink
and desire for Me..) Bokhari & Muslim.
Patience is an active process, and not passive
acceptance of our fate or giving up and doing nothing
When we face difficul=
ty and
adversity we never give up or go into despair. We understand that we are go=
ing
to be tested and tried and are going to face much difficulty in our lives. =
We
understand that God is aware of our difficulty and struggle. We try to help
ourselves and change our fate to another fate that God may will for us. God
does not help those who give up and not help themselves and change their
attitude
Verily never will Allah change the
condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls=
).
=
; Ar-Ra’d 13: 11
Patience means that you try to pull yourself fr=
om
defeat and adversity, get up and strive and patiently persevere. When you a=
re
knocked down, you pull yourself again, and try again,
never loosing hope of God’s mercy or that after this difficulty ease =
will
surely come, for God is merciful and caring
Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him.
After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.
&n=
bsp; At-Talaq 65: 7
Therefore,
patience in Islam is not passively accepting our fate, playing dead and not
doing anything about it, or giving up hope. This attitude is not patience,
perseverance or faith in God. It is a defeatist attitude not becoming of a
person who claims to have faith in God. It is the understanding of those who
are ignorant and do not know or understand Islam or reflect on the Qur̵=
7;an
Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said: (Whatever I have I will not hold or refuse to give it=
to
you; whoever does not ask others and is content with what he has, Allah will
make him self-sufficient; and whoever depends on himself, Allah will enrich
him; and whoever patiently persevere, Allah will grant him the ability to be
patient; No one was given a gift better or more encompassing than the gift =
of
patience) narrated by Bokhari & Muslim afte=
r Sa’d Bin Malik
So
how can we acquire patience?
Since patience involves firm belief in Allah, and
never despairing of His mercy, then the way to acquire such a noble charact=
er
is through increasing our faith. This involves the following:
*Understanding that tests and trials are to be
expected
*Seeking help in prayers, remembering Allah and
turning to Him
*Never giving up hope of Allah’s mercy
*Following the example of Allah’s prophet<= o:p>
*Understanding the tremendous reward of patience=
and
true faith
Understanding
that tests and trials are to be expected
To be tested and tried, and to face challenge,
difficulty and adversity is God’s way of sorting out those who have f=
aith
and firm conviction from those who are weak and reject faith at the first s=
ign
of trouble. We learn from our tests and trials, and from our mistakes, and =
we
emerge better human beings
Do men think that they will be left=
alone
on saying, "We believe," and that they will not be tested?
=
Al-Ankabut 29: 2 We did test those before them, and =
Allah
will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.
=
Al-Ankabut 29: 3
We must prove ourselves by patiently persevering=
and
by striving and doing our utmost during these tests and trials:
And We s=
hall try
you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in
patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle).
=
Muhammad
47: 31
And
Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven
without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remai=
ned
steadfast?
=
Al-Imran 3: 142
Seeking
help in prayer and turning to Allah seeking His help and guidance
Those who believe understand that Allah knows wh=
at
they are going through, and that He will reward them for their patience and
faith. Therefore, they turn to Him and seek His help and guidance. They
remember Allah and know that they are not alone, and they seek help and com=
fort
in prayers:
No kind of calamity can occur, exce=
pt by
the leave of Allah: and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his hea=
rt
(aright): for Allah knows all things.
=
At-Taghabun 64: 11
And Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patie=
nt
perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who bring a low=
ly
spirit,
=
Al-Baqara 2: 45 Who bear in mind the certainty that=
they
are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.
=
Al-Baqara 2: 46
And "If Allah =
touch
thee with affliction, none can remove it but He; if He touch thee with
happiness, He hath power over all things."
=
Al-Ana’m 6: 17
And
And do thou be patient, for thy patien=
ce
is but from Allah; nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of
their plots.
=
An-Nahl 16: 127 For Allah is with those who restrain
themselves, and those who do good.
=
An-Nahl 16: 128
Contrast this attitude to someone who has no fai=
th:
where is he going to turn to during difficult times? Such a person is ready=
to
reject faith and complain: why did this happen to me, it is not fair. He wi=
ll
give up easily
There are among men some who serve =
Allah,
as it were, on the verge: if good befalls them, they are, therewith, well
content; but if a trial comes to them, they turn on their faces; they lose =
both
this world and the Hereafter: that is loss for all to see!
=
Al-Hajj
22: 11
Never
giving up of Allah’s soothing mercy
Allah never puts a burden on a soul more than it=
can
bear. He is wise and He knows what we can cope with and tolerate. Therefore=
, a
true believer never gives up hope of Allah’s mercy. On the tongue of
Prophet Jacob:
"O my sons=
!
go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, =
and
never give up hope of Allah's soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Alla=
h's
soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith."
=
Yusuf
12: 87
And on the tongue of Prophet Ibrahim:
He said: "And who despairs of the
mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?"
=
Al-Hijr 15: 56
Following
the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced much difficulty and
patiently persevere to deliver God’s messa=
ge
despite fierce opposition and rejection from his people. The Qur’an c=
ame
ordering him to exhibit patience as did previous messengers of firm resolve=
We know indeed the grief which their w=
ords
do cause thee: it is not thee they reject: it is the Signs of Allah, which =
the
wicked contemn.
=
Al-Ana’m 6: 33 Rejected were the Messengers before=
thee:
with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, unt=
il Our aid did reach them: there is none that can alter t=
he
Words (and Decrees) of Allah. Already hast thou received some account of th=
ose Messengers.
=
Al-Ana’m 6: 34
And
Therefore patiently persevere, as d=
id
(all) Messengers of inflexible purpose; and be in no haste about the
(Unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (Punishment) promised them, (it
will be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day. (
=
Al-Ahqaf 46: 35
The epitome of patience was Prophet Ayyoub (Job). God praised his patience
"And take in thy hand a little
grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath)." Truly We found him full of patience and constancy, how excel=
lent
in Our service! ever did he turn (to Us)!
=
Sa D 38: 44
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained that we are te=
sted
according to our degree of faith, the stronger our faith the more harsh is =
our
test and obviously the greater our reward:
(The Prophets are tested the most, then the most righteous, a person is tested according =
to his
faith: if his faith is strong, his test is more severe. If his faith is wea=
k,
his test is less according to his faith. A person may be tested often that =
he
is left walking on earth with no sin at all) Termedhi<=
/span>
& Ibn Majja
The reward of patience is explained in the
Qur’an
1-&n=
bsp;
Forgiveness=
of
sin
2-&n=
bsp;
3-&n=
bsp;
Those who
patiently persevere receive God’s blessings, mercy and His guidance
4-&n=
bsp;
Allah is wi=
th
those who patiently persevere
5-&n=
bsp;
The reward =
of
those who patiently persevere is unrivalled
Forgiveness of sin
When we understand th=
at we
are going to be tested and tried, and that we should cope with our difficul=
ty
and patiently persevere, and never give up hope of Allah’s mercy; rat=
her
work hard to change our fate into another fate that Allah may will for us, =
then
we understand that patience in Islam is an active process and an essential =
part
of faith. This understanding of faith and how we practice is rewarded by Al=
lah
in many ways. One reward is forgiveness of our sins, mistakes and shortcomi=
ngs.
When we exhibit such patience and faith in Ramadan then our sins are remitt=
ed:
Prophet Muhammad (PBU=
H) said:
(Whoever fasts Ramadan with conviction and seeking his reward only from All=
ah
all his previous sins will be forgiven) Bokhari=
&
Muslim
He also said: (Every =
calamity
that afflicts a Muslim remits his sins, even a thorn that pierces his skin)
narrated by Muslim
The Prophet (PBUH) al=
so said:
(Whatever afflicts the Muslim of tiredness, pain, anguish, sorrow, harm or
sadness, even a thorn that pierces him, till his sins are remitted because =
of
these afflictions) Bokhari & Muslim
Paradise is t=
he
reward of those who patiently persevere
But those who had been granted (tru=
e)
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 atta=
in,
save those who steadfastly persevere (in good)."
=
; Al-Qasas 28: 80
During Ramadan we learn to be patient and
persevere, and we watch our behavior and we try to achieve Taqwa
(God-consciousness). The reward of Taqwa is par=
adise That House of the
Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief=
on
earth: and the End is (best) for the righteous.
&n=
bsp; Al-Qasas 28: 83
Those who patiently persevere will receive God’s blessings, mercy and guidance<= o:p>
Patience
during adversity and never giving up hope of Allah’s mercy requires
strong faith and conviction. Those who patiently persevere are told that th=
ey
are not alone: Allah is with those and He will show them His grace and
blessings, He will shower His mercy on them and He will guide their hearts:=
Be sure We shall test you with someth=
ing 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.
&n=
bsp; Al-Baqara 2: 155
Who say, when affl=
icted
with calamity: "To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return"
&n=
bsp; Al-Baqara 2: 156
They are those on =
whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, a=
nd
they are the ones that receive guidance.
&n=
bsp; Al-Baqara 2: 157
And
How many of the Pr=
ophets
fought (in Allah's way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? B=
ut
they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way, nor did they
weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadf=
ast.
&n=
bsp; Al-Imran 3: 146
All that they said=
was:
"Our Lord! forgive us our sins and anything=
we
may have done that transgressed our duty: establish our feet firmly, and he=
lp
us against those that resist Faith."
&n=
bsp; Al-Imran 3: 147
And Allah gave the=
m a
reward in this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah =
loveth those who do good. =
&n=
bsp; Al-Imran 3: 148
Prophet
Muhammad emphasized the value of patience, and stated that there is no gift
better than patiently persevering:
(Whoever
avoids asking others and is content with what he has, Allah will make him
sufficient; and whoever depends on himself, Allah will enrich him; and whoe=
ver
patiently persevere, Allah will grant him the ab=
ility
to be patient. No one was given a gift better or more encompassing than the
gift of patience) Bokhari & Muslim
For the present, Allah hath lightened your (task), for He knoweth that there is a weak spot in you: but (even s=
o), if
there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two
hundred, and if a thousand, they will vanquish two thousand, with the leave=
of
Allah: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
&=
nbsp; Al-Anfal 8: 66
The reward=
of
those who patiently persevere is unrivalled
Those
who patiently persevere and confirm their faith in their lives have already
proven themselves, therefore there is no
accountability on them on the Day of Judgment:
Say: "O ye My servants who belie=
ve! 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!"
&n=
bsp; Az-Zumar 39: 10
Another
way of understanding this verse is that those who do good and patiently
persevere will have a great reward that has no limits.
And
What is with you must vanish: what is =
with
Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently
persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.
=
An-Nahl 16: 96
Summary Patience as a virtue in
Ramadan: BS Foad, M.D 2009
Ramadan is the month of
patience
During
Ramadan we control our desire for food, drink and intimate contact; we pray
regularly and offer additional prayers; and we recite the Qur’an and =
we
conduct ourselves properly and not harm anyone in word or deed, and we hast=
en
in good deeds. All this requires patience, perseverance, determination and
commitment. Our priorities change so that pleasing God and getting close to=
Him
becomes our main concern and goal
Patience is an active
process, and not passive acceptance of our fate or giving up and doing noth=
ing
God
is aware of our difficulty, and we are judged by our reaction: are we stead=
fast
and work to change our fate into another fate that God may will for us and
never givie up hope? Or do we sit idle and do
nothing. God will help those who help themselves “Allah does not chan=
ge
the condition of a people until they change it themselves” Ar-Ra’d 13: 11
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized =
the
value of patience: (Whoever avoids asking others and is content with what he
has, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whoever depends on himself, A=
llah
will enrich him; and whoever patiently perseveres, Allah will grant him the
ability to be patient. No one was given a gift better or more encompassing =
than
the gift of patience) Bokhari & Muslim
How can we acquire pat=
ience?
Understanding that tes=
ts and
trials are to be expected:
“Do people think that they wi=
ll be
left alone on saying: “We believe” and that they will not be
tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those =
who
are true from those who are false”
Al-Ankabut 29:
2 & 3
“We
shall certainly try you until We test among you =
who
strive their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall try your
mettle” Muhammad 47: 31
Seeking help in prayer=
and
turning to Allah seeking His help and guidance
“Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer”=
Al-Baqara 2: 45
“No
kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone
believes in Allah, Allah will guide his heart, for Allah knows all
things” At-Taghabun 64: 11
Never giving up hope of
Allah’s mercy
Allah
never puts a burden on a soul more than it can bear. He is wise and knows w=
hat
we can cope with and tolerate. A believer, therefore, never gives up hope
“Never
give up hope of Allah’s soothing mercy: truly no one despairs of Alla=
h’s
soothing mercy, except those who have no faith” Yusuf 12: 87
Following the example =
of
God’s prophets
Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) faced much difficulty and patiently persevered despite fier=
ce
opposition and rejection, as previous messengers have done:
“Rejected
were the messengers before you: they bore their rejection and their wrongs =
with
patience and constancy, until Our aid did reach
them” Al-Ana’m 6: 34
“Therefore
patiently persevere, as did all messengers of firm resolve and purpose, and=
be
in no haste about the unbelievers” Al-Ahqaf 46:
35
Understanding the great
reward of patient perseverance
Forgiveness of sin.
Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said: (Whatever afflicts the Muslim of tiredness, pain, anguish, sor=
row,
harm or sadness, even a thorn that pierces him, till his sins are forgiven
because of these afflictions) Bokhari & Mus=
lim
God’s blessings,=
mercy
and guidance
“We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in go=
ods
or lives or the fruits of your labor, 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. On those descend blessings from their Lor=
d,
and mercy, and they are guided” Al-Baqara=
2:
155-157
The reward of patience=
is
unrivalled
“Those
who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure” =
Az-Zumar 39: 10
“What
you have will vanish, what is with Allah will endure. We will certainly bes=
tow,
on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of the=
ir
actions” An-Nahl 16: 96
Summary Patience as a virtue in
Ramadan: BS Foad, M.D 2009
Ramadan is the month of
patience
During
Ramadan we control our desire for food, drink and intimate contact; we pray
regularly and offer additional prayers; and we recite the Qur’an and =
we conduct
ourselves properly and not harm anyone in word or deed, and we hasten in go=
od
deeds. All this requires patience, perseverance, determination and commitme=
nt.
Our priorities change so that pleasing God and getting close to Him becomes=
our
main concern and goal
Patience is an active
process, and not passive acceptance of our fate or giving up and doing noth=
ing
God
is aware of our difficulty, and we are judged by our reaction: are we stead=
fast
and work to change our fate into another fate that God may will for us and
never givie up hope? Or do we sit idle and do
nothing. God will help those who help themselves “Allah does not chan=
ge
the condition of a people until they change it themselves” Ar-Ra’d 13: 11
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized =
the
value of patience: (Whoever avoids asking others and is content with what he
has, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whoever depends on himself, A=
llah
will enrich him; and whoever patiently perseveres, Allah will grant him the
ability to be patient. No one was given a gift better or more encompassing =
than
the gift of patience) Bokhari & Muslim
How can we acquire pat=
ience?
Understanding that tes=
ts and
trials are to be expected:
“Do people think that they wi=
ll be
left alone on saying: “We believe” and that they will not be
tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those =
who
are true from those who are false”
Al-Ankabut 29:
2 & 3
“We
shall certainly try you until We test among you =
who
strive their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall try your
mettle” Muhammad 47: 31
Seeking help in prayer=
and
turning to Allah seeking His help and guidance
“Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer”=
Al-Baqara 2: 45
“No
kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah: and if anyone
believes in Allah, Allah will guide his heart, for Allah knows all
things” At-Taghabun 64: 11
Never giving up hope of
Allah’s mercy
Allah
never puts a burden on a soul more than it can bear. He is wise and knows w=
hat
we can cope with and tolerate. A believer, therefore, never gives up hope
“Never
give up hope of Allah’s soothing mercy: truly no one despairs of
Allah’s soothing mercy, except those who have no faith” Yusuf 1=
2:
87
Following the example =
of
God’s prophets
Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) faced much difficulty and patiently persevered despite fier=
ce
opposition and rejection, as previous messengers have done:
“Rejected
were the messengers before you: they bore their rejection and their wrongs =
with
patience and constancy, until Our aid did reach =
them”
Al-Ana’m 6: 34
“Therefore
patiently persevere, as did all messengers of firm resolve and purpose, and=
be
in no haste about the unbelievers” Al-Ahqaf 46:
35
Understanding the great
reward of patient perseverance
Forgiveness of sin.
Prophet Muhammad=
(PBUH)
said: (Whatever afflicts the Muslim of tiredness, pain, anguish, sorrow, ha=
rm
or sadness, even a thorn that pierces him, till his sins are forgiven becau=
se
of these afflictions) Bokhari & Muslim
God’s blessings,=
mercy
and guidance
“We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in go=
ods
or lives or the fruits of your labor, 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. On those descend blessings from their Lor=
d,
and mercy, and they are guided” Al-Baqara=
2:
155-157
The reward of patience=
is
unrivalled
“Those
who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure” =
Az-Zumar 39: 10
“What
you have will vanish, what is with Allah will endure. We will certainly bes=
tow,
on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of the=
ir
actions” An-Nahl 16: 96