What Patience Really Means — Sabr
“But give good tidings to the patient.”
“Patience is not the ability to wait. Patience is to be calm no matter what happens, constantly take action to turn it to positive growth opportunities, and have faith to believe that it will all work out in the end while you are waiting.”
― Roy T. Bennett
Many Islamic scholars use the term ‘Sabr’ to describe a vehement English word — patience. Sabr can be defined as restraining the self from complaining about hidden anguish or restraining the self from agitation when confronted with undesirables.
How often do we do that? Not that often, right? We want everything at the click of our fingers and none of us is ready to wait.
Having been raised out of the beautiful community of Islam, I had always been curious about it as a religion. The people, the traditions, and their beliefs always intrigued me.
My desire to understand it led me to new ideas and ways which, I am sure, will help me all through my life. When I researched more about it, I found out that — as a concept in Islam, Sabr is often translated as patience, but it also includes aspects of restraint, self-discipline, steadfastness, firmness, perseverance, endurance, and determination — depending on the context in which it is used.
According to Islam, when a person manages to feel contentment and happiness during times of turmoil and dissatisfaction, his soul reaches the highest place of nearness to God.
“Seek Allah’s help with patience, perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble.” — Qur’an (2:45)
Muslims believe that no incident in their life happens without the decree of God or Allah. By believing this, their life is simplified as they know from all their heart that God only wants the best for them.
“Say, “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.” And upon Allah let the believers rely upon.” — Qur’an 9:51
However, though everything is in God’s control, it does not mean a believer lets time take action. That is not what Islam teaches. Instead, a person is advised to stay strong and work harder with faith and perseverance. He should tackle problems and difficulties and let go of the result. Sabr teaches one to manage the problem and learn from it. Your goal should never be to build a life without trials — because, let’s face it, that’s impossible. Without patience and perseverance, one cannot gain much. As far as I know, one can only gain worry and anxiety through impatience.
“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.’ They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance.” — Qur’an(2:155–157)
It turns out that patience is mentioned about 90 times in the Qu’ran. So can we, as humans, understand how important it is to be patient? You might be a believer or a disbeliever, but there is no denying that patience is truly a virtue.
Often we read stories about patience mentioned in the holy books — prophets suffered sickness, loss of wealth, and even the death of loved ones. In the Qu’ran, God tells us how these messengers repeatedly turned to Him in repentance and for relief from their troubles. God has given us these stories to teach us lessons that will help us have patience, repentance, and faith. After all this, I have learned that, ultimately, it is all about faith.
Patience is a culture of prophets; a method of prophets; a way of prophets. It is a very lofty quality. It is a culture of a man of mission. All the prophets adopted the culture of patience and avoidance of confrontation.
How to practice patience?
- Submit to the will of God.
This is not a tough one, correct? We are barely in control of our bodies, why do we try and control everything else around us? Flow like the river flows and do not fidget. Indeed, good things to those who wait. - God knows best, he will help you.
The creator (Al-Khaliq) of this world, God, knows what happened before you and what will happen after you. Do you really think he does not have a plan for you? Fear not, keep patience and truly, his help is near. - Learn how impatience is damaging your peace.
Every time you worry about something, you are damaging your mental and physical health. Unless you can fix something, being impatient gets you nowhere. Understand that your mental health is important and stop worrying. - Talk to God about your worries, and then let go.
Trust me, this helps. Close your eyes and tell God what you’re worried about. Ask him to guide you and believe that he will. And most often than not, you will get answers to your struggles when you articulate them. So, try it and free yourself. - Distract yourself by being productive.
Pick up that book and finish it. Water your plants. Cook that fancy dish and learn to play that instrument you wanted to as a kid. Never sit down on your bed and sulk over anything. It will not help. - Understand that God is the provider (Ar-Razzaq) — just like happiness, even hardships come from him.
Nobody ever told you that life would be easy. If it were, it would be boring. Besides, “God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.” — Qu’ran 2:228. Hence, relax and work on your problems. - Have faith. You will come out of every bad situation.
You are not alone. Believe in the almighty and he will give you everything at the right time. He knows best and he has the best plan for you. Do not ever doubt that.
Blessings and happiness.
