Insights from Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya on the Essence of Patience
Here are some notable statements regarding the concept of patience as articulated by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya:
- Patience is the steadfastness of the heart in times of turmoil.
- The patience associated with obligations—commands and prohibitions—is superior to the patience concerning mere destiny; for this latter type of patience can be exhibited by both the righteous and the wicked.
- Patience embodies the resolute force of intellect and faith in the face of base desires and instincts.
- The soul serves as the steed for the servant, upon which they ride towards either Paradise or Hell, and patience functions as the reins and bridle for that steed; without them, the steed may stray in any direction.
- Those who are accustomed to patience instill fear in their adversaries, while those who find patience difficult may become prey to their foes and risk being overtaken.
- These two are the essential aids for both worldly and spiritual affairs: patience and prayer.
- Simple words, when expressed sincerely and devoid of lamentation or dissatisfaction, do not nullify the obligatory patience.
- When gratitude is devoid of patience, it ceases to be true gratitude; similarly, if patience is stripped of gratitude, it loses its essence as patience.
- The soul possesses two faculties: the ability to advance and the ability to refrain. It continuously oscillates between these two powers, embracing what it loves and retreating from what it detests. The essence of faith is encompassed in both aspects: advancing in obedience to Allah and refraining from disobedience, both of which can only be attained through patience.
Ibn Qayyim’s Reflections on Patience in Light of Prophetic Traditions
Below are phrases inspired by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya from the Prophetic traditions:
- The patient are promised three blessings, each superior to the world and all it contains: prayers from Allah upon them, His mercy, and their special guidance, as mentioned in the verse: {Indeed, they are upon [the path of] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful}.
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us that all patience is noble and filled with goodness, stating: “No one has been given a gift better and more expansive than patience.” Umar ibn al-Khattab remarked, “The best life we attained was through patience; if patience were a man, he would be noble.”
- Everything that a servant experiences in this world falls into one of three categories: it either benefits them in this life and the next, harms them in both realms, or benefits them in one and harms them in the other. The highest category involves actions that benefit the servant in the hereafter while avoiding what causes them harm there; this is true faith. What benefits them is gratitude, and what they refrain from is patience.
- There are two types of patience: commendable and condemnable. The condemnable type is that which involves patience in the absence of Allah’s love and the journey towards Him, while the commendable type includes two categories: patience for Allah and patience by Allah.
- Patience with Allah signifies loyalty; to be patient with Him means to remain steadfast in adherence to His laws without allowing the heart to deviate from repentance or the limbs from obedience.
- The noble endure in obedience to the Most Merciful, while the ignoble endure in obedience to the devil; indeed, the ignoble are the most patient when it comes to following their whims and desires.
- {And seek help through patience and prayer}; thus, one without patience cannot expect assistance.
Quotations on Patience from Ibn Qayyim’s “The Provision of the Patient”
Here is a selection of quotes from Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya’s acclaimed work entitled “The Provision of the Patient and the Treasure of the Grateful”:
- The term ‘istibaar’ is more profound than ‘tasabbur’; it is akin to acquiring patience, as tasabbur leads to istibaar, much like earning leads to acquisition. Tasabbur continues until it transforms into istibaar.
- ‘Musabarah’ refers to the competition against an adversary in the sphere of patience; it is an interaction that necessitates engagement between two parties, akin to quarrels and skirmishes. Allah commands: {O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful}; thus, He commands patience as a state in oneself, while musabarah represents one’s state of patience alongside one’s adversary.
- A servant might exhibit patience without engaging in musabarah, or vice versa; they could be patient, engage in musabarah, and remain resolute without necessarily being devoted to piety. Allah has stated that the essence of all of this is piety, for success relies upon it: {And fear Allah that you may be successful}. Thus, just as remaining at a post indicates vigilance against potential enemy incursions, it signifies guarding the heart against the entry of desires and the devil that might expel it from its rightful dominion.