In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-merciful. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad. We praise Allah, thank Him, seek His help, guidance and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds. “Whomever Allah guides, then he is right-guided, and whomever He leads away into error, then you will never find for him a right-minded patron” (TMQ, 18:17)
Today we are going to deal with one of the most essential manners our religion dictates, patience. Often, young men come to me complaining that they are unable to lower their gazes. I always tell them to be patient, but alas, they think I only say it to end our conversation, and so, they never take this advice seriously.
Some say that they keep trying to perform fajr (dawn prayer) and qiyam (voluntary night prayer). To them too, I say, be patient. Unfortunately, most of us think that patience in performing such acts of worship on a daily basis can never be a practical way of life. The word ‘patience’ itself is incredibly practical. People forget that patience is one of the bases upon which rests the system of heavens and earth. Not only does it apply to humans, but it is also a cosmic rule; the whole universe is based upon the concept of patience. Think about the fetus in its mother’s womb and the different, consecutive phases of its development. Think how you grow up day after day. Think about plants and how they grow; as they do not sprout suddenly. Do you see now how all that is in the universe is based on the concept of patience and gradualness? Even Allah (TWT) created heavens and earth in only six days, though He (TWT) could have created them in a single day, in the twinkling of an eye, or even faster than that. However, that would have deprived us of benefiting from the wisdom of it.
By creating heavens and earth in six days, Allah wanted us to realize that patience is not merely a human behavior, but rather everything in the universe is based upon the principle of patience. Nothing can be accomplished without patience. To achieve success in your career, you must bear 16 years of education. To become closer to Allah, you must patiently maintain good deeds. Giving up sinful deeds, such as smoking, requires patience, determination and firm self-discipline.
Therefore, scholars say that ‘Perfection in life and faith relies on patience.’ For example, bravery cannot be a trait of an impatient person. Construction of canals and dams cannot be carried out without patience, let alone building whole countries. The realization of economic development plans depends on patience. Being dutiful to one’s parents regardless of what they coerce one into is actually a sort of patience. In case they ask you to do things you are not keen to do, you will need patience. Likewise, shortcomings in faith take place when similar ones in patience exist. Adulterers are so because of their impatience to be abstinent. If drug-addicts were a little more patient, they would not have sought this way to escape from their problems.
It is said that the soul is the mount upon which one rides to either Jannah (Paradise) or Hell, and that patience is its bridle. Your soul’s bridle is patience; you should always remember that if you give it full rein, it will lead you to wherever it wills. The literal meaning of patience is constraint. Being patient then means that one puts oneself under constraint in order to carry out righteous deeds, to abstain from sinful actions, or to accept without frustration and constant complaining in times of affliction.
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