Al Sabr (Patience)...

(Excerpt from “Patience and Gratitude” – By Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah)

Allah has given a general ruling that whoever does not have faith and does not belong to the people of truth and patience, is in state of loss. This means that the only true winners are people of patience: “By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), verily Man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do right actions, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of the Truth, and of Patience and Constancy” (al-‘Asr 103:1-3) Commenting on this sûrah, Imâm ash-Shâfi‘î said: “If people thought deeply on this sûrah, it would provide enough guidance, as man cannot attain perfection without perfecting these two things, his knowledge and his actions, i.e. his faith and right actions. As he is required to perfect himself, so he is required to perfect others, which is joining together in mutual teaching of the truth. The foundation of all this is patience.”

Allah has mentioned patience alongside the pillars of Islam and îmân, as He has mentioned it alongside sâlah: “Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer…” (al-Baqarah 2:45); alongside right actions: “Not so those who show patience and constancy, and do right actions; for them is forgiveness (of wrong actions) and a great reward” (Hûd 11:11); alongside gratitude (shukr): “…Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful” (ash-Shûra 42:32-33); alongside truth: “…and (join together) in the mutual teaching of truth, and of patience and constancy” (al-‘Asr 103:1-3); alongside compassion: “…those who believe and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion…” (al-Balad 90:17); alongside faith: “…so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our Signs” (as-Sajdah 32:24); alongside truth: “…for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant…” (al-Ahzâb 33:35).