Patience, Tolerance And Restraint Are The Qualities Of A True Believer

 

By S. Arshad, New Age Islam

18 May 2021

Patience Is The Second Nature Of A True Believer

Main Points:

1. God asks believers to observe restraint in every affair of life.

2. Namaz and patience are stressed equally by the Quran.

3. Patience is a prophetic quality.

4. Patience and perseverance are richly rewarded in the Hereafter.

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The Quran stresses again and again on the importance and significance of Salat ( five times prayers) because Namaz is the pillar of Deen. Along with establishing Namaz, the other quality that Quran wants believers to develop within them is the power of self-restraint or patience. A true believer always observes restraint, patience and tolerance in face of provocation and hardships. The holy Quran time and again asks believers to remain steadfast on the right path in spite of obstacles and conspiracies. It also narrates the tales of various prophets who persevered and observed patience. Patience, therefore, is a prophetic quality. The Quran asks Muslims to establish Salat and then enjoins on him to observe patience and restraint.

"And be steadfast in patience for Allah will not cause the reward of the righteous to perish. (Hud:115)

In another surah, the Quran again stresses the importance of patience ( Sabr) in the following words:

"And We shall certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere their reward according to the best of their actions."(Al Nahl:96)

The Quran narrates the story of the brothers of Prophet Yusuf a.s. who tried to kill him and told their father Prophet Jacob a.s. a false story about Prophet Yusuf. But Prophet Jacob a.s. observed patience.

"And they brought his shirt with false blood. He said 'nay! Yourselves have embellished for you an affair; so patience is good (Fa Sabrun Jameel) and Allah is to be implored for help in that which you describe."(Yusuf:18)

Here Prophet Jacob a.s. observed patience when his jealous sons brought to him the false news of Hadhrat Yusuf's death.

God also asks Prophet Noah a.s. to observe patience when his community became hostile to him. He practised restraint in face of resistance and harassment from them. God assured him that in the end the righteous will be rewarded and the sinners, however rich and powerful will perish.

"So persevere patiently, for the end is for those who are righteous."(Hud:49)

Muslims are asked to observe restraint when they do dawah work because while doing dawah they may face hostility from the non-believers. In such a situation, the Quran asks the believers to be patient and tolerant. In case of hostilities, though Muslims are allowed to defend themselves or inflict an equal blow to the opponents, they are advised to be patient which is better.

"And if you do catch them out catch them out no worse than they vatch you out but if you show patience that is best for those who are patient."( Al Nahl:126)

"Who restrain anger and pardon men for Allah loves those who do good." ( Al-e-Imran:134)

The believer is asked to seek the help of Allah with patience and prayer. According to the following verse too, patience and Namaz go hand in hand:

"O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; Allah is with those who patiently persevere."(Al Baqarah:153)

Apart from these verses on Sabr (patience), there are other verses as well that stress the reward of patience and perseverance. In short, patience is the second nature of a true believer.

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Sohail Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.

URL:   https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/patience-tolerance-believer/d/124839

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