Patience is defined as "the continuous steadfastness in
the face of psychologically painful things, enduring them with a high spirit
and a kind heart, without showing any signs of resentment or agitation on one's
face, so that these are not visible or perceptible to others. It is obligatory
during times of hardship."
Patience means being able to control your emotions and remain
calm at the first stirrings of anger or confrontation. When you wait patiently
and do not become angry when seeking a need or benefit, you are more likely to
obtain what you seek in a positive way. When you are patient, you do not act
impulsively. A prime example of patience is when you're in a long queue at a
grocery store or any other institution, and the person in front of you is sick
or injured and taking a long time to get what they need and pay their bill,
while the queue moves at a snail's pace. Be patient and control your anger, and
you will surely reach the front of the line.
Patience is a quality that Islam encourages us to cultivate
and adopt in order to live in happiness, contentment, and peace of mind.
Patience helps those whose hearts are adorned with it to overcome life's
challenges without falling into the trap of frustration and despair. Patience
has been mentioned in many verses of the Holy Quran, such as: God Almighty
says, “O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer).
Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (Surat Al-Baqarah:
153) And His Almighty saying, “O you who believe! Seek help in patience and
As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones,
etc.).” (Surat Al-Baqarah: 155) And His Almighty saying: “It is not Al-Birr
(piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) that
you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is
(the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the
Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the
kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer,
and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat
(Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the Zakat, and who fulfill their covenant when
they make it, and who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme
poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles).
Such are the people of the truth, and they are Al-Muttaqun (pious—see V. 2:2)”
(Surat Al-Baqarah: 177). And His Almighty saying: “Whose hearts are filled with
fear when Allah is mentioned; who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of
calamities); and who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and who spend (in
Allah's Cause) out of what We have provided them” (Surah Al-Hajj: 35).
The Prophetic Sunnah is replete with many hadiths of the
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that urge patience and call for
avoiding all that contradicts self-control, because it leads one to anger,
which is the root of all evil and the source of problems and disputes among
people. A person who allows himself to be consumed by feelings of anger and
lack of self-control can face dire consequences. Therefore, our Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him, urged us to avoid anger, saying, among other things,
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may God be pleased with him)
that a man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Advise
me." He said, "Do not become angry." The man repeated his
request several times, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"Do not become angry." (Narrator: Abu Hurairah; Source: Sahih).
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