Hardship is not an unusual phenomenon; everyone has to face it sometimes in their life. There are lots of ups and downs in one’s life. Sometimes we feel happy, while on another occasion, we may feel sorrow and depressed. Sometimes, we have everything with us and suddenly we are left without even the basics of life. That’s why it is always advised that everyone should remain prepared to face a difficult time in their life. Hardship would not necessarily be in the form of a financial crunch; it may also be physical, mental, or psychological.
Sometimes, hardship may also be spiritual. Whatever might be the cause, hardship definitely has its impact on our lives, mostly in the form of mental stress. Therefore, finding peace in hardship is a critical but sensitive matter. Islam, being a complete and practical religion, offers the most workable solution to this crucial matter, in the form of Sabr, “Patience or Perseverance”
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) is an Arabic word, typically used in Islam to describe “patience” and “perseverance”. It is often used alongside another typical Islamic terminology, “Shukr”, which means showing gratitude. It is a part of the faith, in Islam, which means “to have trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, specifically in His plan and accepting that the hardship and trials are part of the Divine Test”. Though usually translated as patience, Sabr can be more precisely described as being persevering and persistent, including various aspects of self-discipline. It also refers to being spiritually unwavering and exhibiting determination in compelling circumstances, such as poverty, adversaries, opposition, or unexpected results and setbacks.
Understanding Sabr and Its Relevance with Shukr
Sabr and Shukr collectively form the base of the true faith in Islamic teachings. In simple words, keeping trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in the times of hardship is Sabr, and showing gratefulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in your best of the times is Shukr. In other words, it should be our resolve that everything comes from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, whether hardship or comfort. Both are a test of the believers, especially the hardship, as we often tend to lose patience in difficult times, where there is every possibility of straying away from the righteous path.
A typical demonstration of Sabr is overpowering your desire to retaliate against the wrath towards others, who might have caused inconvenience to you or insulted you. Sabr refers to upholding your loyalty and affection with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, no matter how harsh the circumstances. It is all about tightening and strengthening your bond with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, when faced with pain and suffering, or when you are hurt. So, the essence of Sabr is to remain calm and composed under the severest of conditions, while maintaining unwavering belief and trust in Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Will and Mercy.
On the other hand, Shukr or gratitude is the display of gratefulness to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, in the happiest and easiest times of our lives. In that sense, Shukar is closely associated with Sabr. So, the personality of a person would be adjudged, in the Islamic perspective, by their reaction and deeds in both situations. A righteous person would always pay gratitude to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, in the prosperous phase of their life and practice patience and perseverance in the difficult or hard times of their life.
Maintaining Sabr by making it a daily practice is an important concept in Islam, which brings calmness and peace to your life. It facilitates you to avoid indulging in such reactionary acts and deeds, which otherwise would not be a righteous behavior. Having committed yourself to react in an indecent way often brings sorrow and regret. Later on, you often realize that you should have avoided such retaliations. Hence, keeping Sabr is the best way to combat unwanted and unwarranted circumstances. So, the Islamic perspective of Sabr is to keep patience in hard times and Shukr is to pay gratitude in the times of prosperity, as both are from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
“Sabr” in the Quran
Sabr is one of the most emphasized concepts in the Quran. It is mentioned in different Surahs of the Quran, in different contexts. The terms Sabr and Shukr are mentioned in the Quran more than 100 times. However, “sabr” and its relative terms are used in the Quran around 75 times.
Some of these verses are appended below:
The 45th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah guides us to seek strength in Salah (Prayer) and Patience (Sabr).
Translation
Find strength in fortitude and prayer, which is heavy and exacting but for those who are humble and meek
Again, in the 153rd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, the importance of Sabr along with Salah is mentioned. Going forward, it is also narrated in this verse that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is with those who practice Sabr.
Translation
O you who believe, seek courage in fortitude and prayer, for God is with those who are patient and persevere
Here, the term (الصّٰبِرِيْنَ) is used for those who exhibit patience and perseverance. In verses 155 to 157 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the potential of a righteous person is explained, Sabr being one of the core virtues.
Translation
- Be sure We shall try you with something of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and the fruits (of your labour); but give tidings of happiness to those who have patience,
- Who say when assailed by adversity: “Surely we are for God, and to Him we shall return.
- On such men are the blessings of God and His mercy, for they are indeed on the right path
The virtues of a righteous person are further explained in the 35th verse of Surah Al-Hajj, with Sabr and Salah being the essential part of it.
Translation
Whose hearts are filled with awe when the name of God is mentioned before them, who endure with fortitude what befalls them, and fulfill their moral obligations, and expend of what We have given them
34th verse of Surah Al-Ana’am is addressed to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The example of previous Prophets is narrated, advising the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to observe patience. That shows the importance of patience.
Translate
Many an apostle has been accused of lies before you. Yet they bore with fortitude the falsehoods and the hurt until our help arrived. There is no changing the word of God: The news of (past) apostles has come to you already.
The behavior and responses of two different persons, in the state of hardship and comfort are compared in verses 9 to 11 of Surah Houd, declaring rewards for those who observe patience:
Translation
- If We allow man to enjoy Our favours, and then take them away from him, he becomes despondent and ungrateful.
- If We let him taste Our favours after adversity, he says: “Misfortune has left me,” and begins to brag and exult,
- Except those who endure with patience and do the right, who will have pardon and a great reward.
In the 115th verse of Surah Houd, it is categorically mentioned that those who observe patience will definitely get the rewards.
Translation
Be steadfast, for verily God does not let the reward of those who are upright and do good to go waste.
The 200th verse of Surah Al-e-Imran advises the believers to show endurance and observe patience, as this is the path to success.
Translation
So you who believe, have endurance in suffering, be patient and persevere, strengthen each other and be firm, and be pious and fear God that you may find success.
These and many other verses in the Quran emphasize the importance and virtue of keeping patience in times of hardship.
“Sabr” in Hadiths
Just like the Quran, the concept of Sabr is also found in various Hadiths. The personal life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ as well as his life as a Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is full of patience. So, the Sunnah and Hadith are yet another source of understanding the importance of Sabr. Some of the Hadiths, covering the subject matter of Sabr, are appended below:
The importance of Sabr or patience in difficult times, especially in the state of financial constraints, is specifically explained in Hadith 1469 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Translation
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.
Here, it is emphasized that one should practice patience in the state of financial crunch, instead of asking others for help. This Hadith provides us comprehensive guidance on how one should behave, when in need of financial help, the best way, being patience.
Hadith 2999 of Sahih Al-Muslim narrates the best conduct of a Muslim under all circumstances, covering both the concepts of Sabr and Shukar, in the state of delight and trouble, respectively.
Translation
Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delighted, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.
The essence of Sabr (patience) is narrated in Hadith 1302 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, as under:
Translation
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”
Hadith 3312 of Jami At-Tirmidhi narrates the importance and virtues of Sabr in the context of perseverance, as under:
Translation
When the following was revealed: ‘Whoever works evil will have the recompense of it… (4:123)’ That worried the Muslims, so they complained about that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: “Seek closeness and be steadfast, and in all that afflicts the believer there is atonement, even a thorn that pricks him, and the hardship he suffers.
In Hadith number 4032 of Sunan Ibn Majah, another angle of patience is narrated, which pertains to the social and interpersonal relations within the community. Here, the social contact among the people is also emphasized and termed a better behavior, as compared to keeping a distance from fellow Muslims.
Translation
The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.
Hadith 1252 of Sahih Al-Bukhari tells us how to react when a loved one of ours has passed away. It is advised by the Prophet to maintain patience and fear of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, instead of crying.
Translation
Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a woman who was sitting and weeping beside a grave and said to her, “Fear Allah and be patient.”
Hadiths quoted above cover different aspects and angles of patience (Sabr), which provides perfect guidance on practicing patience and perseverance, in varying situations.
Historical Observance of Sabr by the Prophets
In addition to the exemplary display of Sabr by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, there are quite a few examples of patience practiced by the previous Prophets as well. In fact, the life of all the Prophets is marked by a display of extreme patience. Some of such instances are quoted below:
- Prophet Ayyub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ spent a prosperous life, but at a stage, lost everything and fell seriously ill, but remained steadfast and patient. His act of patience is quoted as “Sabr-e-Ayyub”, which is referred to as an extreme display of patience.
- Prophet Yousuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was betrayed by his brother, but he never complained about it and practiced patience throughout his life. Eventually, his brothers realized their fault.
- Prophet Yaqub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ lost his beloved son Prophet Yousuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. He was much grieved about it, but remained patient and never reacted against the betrayal of his other sons. Eventually, his lost son Yousuf was reunited.
- Prophet Younas عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was swallowed by a fish and remained there for quite some time. He kept on remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, with patience, till such time he was brought out of the fish’s belly.
Famous Quotes on Sabr
Apart from authentic references from the Quran and Hadith, there are many famous quotes on Sabr from renowned sources. These quotes are quite famous and have been used frequently across the Muslim world since the early days of Islam. Some of the Quotes on Sabr are reproduced below:
Quote
- No two things have been combined better than knowledge and patience.
- Desires make slaves out of kings, and patience makes a king out of slaves.
- Patience is that the heart does not feel anger towards that which is destined and that the mouth does not complain.
- Behind every smiling face, there is an untold story of Sabr.
- Sabr is not remaining quiet and letting anger build up inside you. Sabr is to talk about what’s bothering you without losing control of your emotions.
- When the Prophet (ﷺ) says: “Be Patient,” remember this advice comes from one who lost both parents and buried six of his children during his life.
- Through patience, great things are accomplished.
- A person’s true patience is shown in a time of anger.
- Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.
- Sometimes Allah stops you because the way you choose is dangerous. He will give you what you need at the perfect time. Just be patient, because the good things come to the people who have Sabr.
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Conclusion
Coming out of difficult and hard times might be a tough ask, but following the spirit of Sabr (Patience) per the Islamic teachings makes it quite easy. The concept of Sabr and Shukr is one of the essential practices of faith, where Sabr is the observance of patience in the hardship, and Shukr is expressing gratitude in the moments of prosperity and comfort. The spirit of Sabr and Shukar is keeping unwavering trust and faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, under any circumstances.
Patience and perseverance are the best practices while passing through a phase of distress, sorrow, and financial or physical hardship. Physical hardship may also refer to some chronic diseases, while distress or sorrow points to the mental hardship. In all such scenarios of hardship, a righteous person would always remain connected to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, instead of making complaints.
Remember, praying for coming out of hard times does not negate the concept of Sabr, but one should not complain about it; rather, keep patience and wait for Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى mercy.
