Lessons from Ramadan: 2-Acquiring Patience
Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) – rahimahullaah – said: “Allaah has mentioned sabr (patience) in over ninety places in His Book.”
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The month of Patience, and the three days of every month, are times for fasting.”
Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr (d.464H) – rahimahullaah – said: “What is meant by the month of Patience is the month of Ramadaaan … So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from eating, drinking, conjugal relations and sexual desires.”
He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O youths! Whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so; for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. But whoever is unable, then let him fast, because it will be a shield for him.”
So fasting is a means of learning self-restraint and patience. With patience we are able to strengthen our resolve to worship Allaah alone, with sincerity, and also cope with life’s ups and downs. So – for example – with patience we are able to perform our Prayers calmly and correctly, without being hasty, and without merely pecking the ground several times! With patience we are able to restrain our souls from greed and stinginess and thus give part of our surplus wealth in Zakaah (obligatory charity). With patience we are able to subdue the soul’s ill temperament, and thus endure the ordeal and hardships of Hajj, without losing tempers and behaving badly. Allaah – the Most High – said:
“O Prophet, urge the Believers to fight … So if there are one hundred who are patient, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be one thousand, they shall overcome two thousand, by the permission of Allaah. And Allaah is with the patient ones.” [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:65-66].
Thus, without knowledge and patience, nothing remains, except zeal and uncontrolled emotions, shouts and hollow slogans, speech that does not strengthen, but rather weakens, and actions that do not build, but rather destroy! So in this month, we should strive to develop a firm resolve for doing acts of obedience, and to adorn ourselves with patience – having certainty in the saying of our Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and case with hardship.”
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And know that sabr (patient perseverance) is of three kinds: [i] sabr whilst (fulfilling) the orders of Allaah, [ii] sabr whilst (abandoning and keeping away) from the prohibitions of Allaah, and [iii] sabr with the Decree of Allaah with respect to afflictions and difficulties.
More on Patience:
Please read more on patience HERE.
And listen to lectures on patience: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3
