A Discussion on Patience and the Expiation of Sins
Patience is regarded as one of the most significant means of atoning for sins and misdeeds. According to Islamic tradition:
- It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “No hardship, distress, sickness, or sorrow befalls a believer, even the prick of a thorn, but it serves to expiate some of their sins.”
- Bukhari recorded with a reliable chain of narration that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Any calamity that befalls a Muslim is a means of expiation by Allah, even if it is just a thorn that pricks him.”
A Discussion on Patience as Evidence of God’s Pleasure
Patience also signifies Allah’s pleasure. For instance:
- It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When Allah wills good for someone, He inflicts them with trials.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also mentioned in another narration: “The magnitude of the reward corresponds to the magnitude of the trial. When Allah sincerely loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is pleased receives His pleasure, and whoever is displeased incurs His discontent.”
- Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A believer will continue to be afflicted in themselves, their children, and their wealth until they meet Allah without any sins.”
A Discussion on Patience Enhancing a Muslim’s Closeness to Allah
Patience brings a Muslim closer to Allah, as seen in the following:
- It was reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that: “When a servant has a rank to attain from Allah that he cannot reach through his actions, Allah tests him through his body, wealth, or children and endures him until he reaches the rank that was decreed for him.”
- Additionally, it is reported by Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which people face the greatest trials?” He replied, “The Prophets, then those who are most like them, then those who are most like them. A person will be tried according to their level of faith. If they are strong in their faith, their trials will be greater; if they are weaker, their trials will be lesser. A servant will continue to face trials until they walk on the earth with no sin upon them.”
A Discussion on Patience as a Sign of Strong and Sincere Faith
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remarked: “Remarkable is the affair of the believer; all of their affairs are good. This is not the case for anyone except the believer. If they experience a blessing, they express gratitude, and that is good for them; and if they undergo a hardship, they show patience, and that is good for them.”
Thus, when a believer faces adversity or trials, they recognize that it is ordained by Allah and they patiently accept His decree. They understand that there is no reversal of Allah’s command except from Him. Their patience is beneficial, and likewise, when they experience blessings, they realize it is Allah who has granted them this favor, prompting them to show gratitude, which is also advantageous for them.
Patience: The Greatest Gift for a Servant
It is narrated that Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: “A group of Ansar (helpers) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for assistance, and he gave them. They asked again, and he continued to give until all that he had in his possession was exhausted. He then remarked: ‘I will not withhold any good from you. Whoever strives for self-restraint, Allah will provide them with sufficiency. Whoever seeks richness, Allah will enrich them. Whoever exercises patience, Allah will grant them patience. The greatest gift given to a servant is patience.’
It is noteworthy that numerous hadiths emphasize the virtue, significance, value, and high status of those who practice patience and the great rewards awaiting them from Allah. This highlights the importance of patience and the superiority of the patient. Therefore, the aforementioned narratives suffice to illustrate the shared themes and meanings found in the abundant texts regarding patience.