The Reward of Patience is Praiseworthy

Submitted by: Bint Mujahid (Umm Adam)

We all are tested from time to time. Whether it’s financial, health, loss of a loved one or issues in marriage, we should never lose sight of the bigger picture. Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the one in control of all the things. It is stated in the Quran that if Allah سبحانه و تعالى loves a people, He puts them to trial. He tests them and places them in difficulty.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى states in Surah Al-Baqarah:

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.
[Quran 2:155]

And for one we all know what it’s like to lose what we love. This is when your faith is really put to the test and when we are tested with hardships what will we do? Will we complain why me, or cry or will we stand strong and tall and have faith in Allah سبحانه و تعالى? The ones who have the Patience without complaining will be greatly rewarded whereas the one who was not patience will receive nothing.

I know a story of a girl who lost her child and had not seen this child since he was very small. This woman has gone through hardship after hardship, within the Muslim community and outside of it. Regardless of what has happen to her and what she has had to go though, she has not let that rock her faith in Islam, and she has stood strong, even stood alone when she had no family support or no one to turn to and when everyone cast her aside. She always knew she has Allah سبحانه و تعالى and to this day she still prays to see that child she lost. But in the mean time, she has not let this obstacle stand in the way of her learning her Deen. She is putting her efforts in learning her religion and has memorized a great deal of Quran. When people ask her why you are so calm, she says, “I know Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the best of planners, and His decree is what He wills, and when He is ready for her trials and hardship to end. He will let it be.

Islam teaches us to be patience with whatever befalls us just like in the Story of Prophet Ayub (Job) عليه السلام. Allah سبحانه و تعالى tested Prophet Ayub عليه السلام in such a way that his health was taken away from him. Historians had wrote that not a single limb on his body was safe from disease except for his tongue and heart which he always remembered Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

Difficulties worsened to an extent that people cut ties with him and cast him from the city due to his disease. The only person there to support him was his wife, Rahima رضي الله عنها.

Despite all the difficulties, Ayub عليه السلام was patient, persevering, and grateful. He was also constantly engrossed in the remembrance of Allah سبحانه و تعالى day and night. It was after years of forbearance and difficulty his wife Rahima رضي الله عنها told him “Oh Ayub why don’t you ask Allah to help you. He replied “I lived for seventy years in prosperity why shouldn’t I be patient for the sake of Allah for seventy years.” It was after this that Ayub عليه السلام made the following Dua which Allah سبحانه و تعالى has stated in the Surah Al-Anbya:

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” [Quran 21:83]

Allah سبحانه و تعالى cured him and gave everything back to him which is stated in the next verse of Surah Al-Anbya:

So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah ]. [Quran 21:84]

So in times of hardships and difficulties when you think all is lost and there is no hope, remember to have patience. In due time Allah سبحانه و تعالى will relieve you of all worries, and you will receive rewards a million in multitude for bearing it with patience.

Remember, Allah سبحانه و تعالى is always with you!

PATIENCE ON THE QURAN

And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]
[Quran 2:45]

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
[Quran 2:153]

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
[Quran 8:46]

And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.
[Quran 32:24]

And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient – it is better for those who are patient.
[Quran 16:126]

If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allah , their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.
[Quran 3:120]

They said, “Are you indeed Joseph?” He said “I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.”
[Quran 12:90]

Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance – that they are the attainers [of success].”
[Quran 23:111]

But those who had been given knowledge said, “Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient.”
[Quran 28:80]

…Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
[Quran 103:3]

And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes. And exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord when you arise.
[Quran 52:48]

And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allah . And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.
[Quran 16:127]

PATIENCE ON THE HADITH

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then they asked him and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then he said “If I had anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 1469 Book-24 Hadith-72]

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5644 Book-75 Hadith-4]

Narrated Anas bin Malik: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “Allah said, ‘If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them.'”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5653 Book-75 Hadith-14]

Narrated Aisha: I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the plague. He said, “That was a means of torture which Allah used to send upon whom-so-ever He wished, but He made it a source of mercy for the believers, for anyone who is residing in a town in which this disease is present, and remains there and does not leave that town, but has patience and hopes for Allah’s reward, and knows that nothing will befall him except what Allah has written for him, then he will get such reward as that of a martyr.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6619 Book-82 Hadith-25]