Hadiths on Patience in the Face of Harm
Numerous prophetic sayings emphasize the significance of patience in enduring harm and controlling anger. Below are some notable examples:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “A Muslim who interacts with people and endures their harm is better than a Muslim who does not engage with people and cannot tolerate their harm.”
- He also said: “Whoever suppresses their anger while being able to avenge it, Allah will call him forth on the Day of Judgment before all creatures and give him the choice of any of the houris he wishes.”
- He mentioned: “The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others. The most loved deeds to Allah, the Almighty, are to bring joy to a Muslim, relieve him from a distress, settle his debt, or alleviate his hunger. Walking with a brother in need is more beloved to me than secluding myself in this mosque; meaning the mosque of Medina, for a month.”
Furthermore, it is narrated that “Whoever restrains his anger, Allah will conceal his faults, and whoever suppresses his anger, even though he has the power to act upon it, Allah will fill his heart with hope on the Day of Resurrection. If anyone aids his brother in fulfilling his needs until it becomes achievable, Allah will make him steadfast on the Day when feet will slip. Bad character spoils one’s actions, just as vinegar spoils honey.”
Quranic Verses on Forgiveness and Patience
The Quran contains multiple verses that speak about forgiveness and endurance in the face of harm. Some of these verses are as follows:
- Allah, the Exalted, says: “Those who spend in ease and hardship and who restrain their anger and pardon the people; Allah loves the doers of good.”
- He also states: “If you disclose a good deed or conceal it, or forgive an offense, indeed, Allah is Ever-Pardoning and Competent.”
- The Almighty declares: “If you retaliate, let it be with an equivalent of that which was harmed upon you. But if you are patient, it is better for those who are patient.”
- He advises: “And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
- Allah says: “And whoever is patient and forgives — indeed, that is of the greatest matters.”
- The Almighty further states: “And if you pardon and overlook and forgive, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
- Lastly, Allah commands: “And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance.”
Hadiths on Forgiving Others
Several prophetic traditions highlight the virtue of forgiving others, including:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) remarked: “Charity does not decrease wealth, and Allah does not increase a servant’s honor except through forgiveness, and no one humbles himself before Allah except that Allah raises him.”
- He also said: “There are three things, and by the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, I swear I will take an oath about them: No wealth is decreased by charity; so give charity; and no servant forgives a wrong he suffers for the sake of Allah, except that Allah will elevate him in honor by it [or in another narration]: Except that Allah will increase him in honor on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever opens the door of asking, Allah will open for him a door to poverty.”
- Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Be merciful to others, and you will be treated with mercy. Forgive, and Allah will forgive you; woe to the hard-hearted, and woe to those who persist in wrongdoing despite knowing it.”