In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful...Praise Be To Allah
What Is Beautiful Patience?
Beauty is a subjective term. Depending on the context its meanings change; however, there is a general definition of the term that we all agree on and that is, something that we find pleasing and attractive.
We Might Find Something Beautiful...
Out Of Our Desire For It
Because It Makes Us Comfortable
Something That Is Beneficial Or Joyful
Or Which Others Have Appreciated And Praised
Just like everything else in life, beauty also has materialistic as well as spiritual dimension. Tangible things like trees, flowers, animals, even manmade objects such as cars or furniture can be termed beautiful and we will categorize them under materialistic beauty.
Spiritual Beauty Is The Hidden Beauty Behind The Obvious
Such As The Soul Of The Person Or The Qualities One Carries
Patience is also one such quality that has a beauty of its own and it beautifies anyone who carries this quality.
Beautiful Patience In Quran
Allah mentioned ‘Sabr Jameel’ in the Quran, literally Beautiful Patience. So what is beautiful patience?
Beautiful Patience Is To Be In A State Of Happiness
And Pleasure While Being Patient Over The Situation!
The question that arises here is how can a person be in a state of bliss and complete contentment while suffering from an infliction? Allah says in
Quran Chapter 70
Surah Ma’arij [Verses:5 - 7]:
Therefore, [O Believer] Endure All Adversity With Goodly Patience
Behold, Men Look Upon That [Reckoning] As Something Far Away
But, We See It As Near!
In order to understand this verse we need to comprehend the three elements that are mentioned here: Patience, Beauty, and the Day of Judgment. Allah has elevated patience to something that is beautiful, thus bringing us away from the materialistic view of things and letting us look beyond into the spiritual realm. He is telling us:
Quran Chapter 2
Surah Al Baqarah [Verse 216]:
But It Is Possible That You Dislike A Thing Which Is Good For You
And That You Love A Thing Which Is Bad For You
But Allah Knows And You Know Not
Allah reminds us that trials, the need for patience, and to display it with dignity and beauty is because of the final day when our deeds will be the only source of salvation. Allah also tells us that everyone in this world is bound to go through trials as this is how people are tested and believers are separated from the ingrates.
Quran Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad:
And Most Certainly We Shall Try You All, So That We Might Mark Out Those Of You Who Strive Hard [In Our Cause] And Are Patient In Adversity: For We Shall Put To A Test [The Truth Of] All Your Assertions. [Verse:31]
Patience Is Half Of Iman!
All of this is meaningless unless we have real Iman in Allah as our Rabb, the one who knows what is good for us, and the Day of Judgment. That is why patience is called half of Iman.
Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad:
So patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true: nor let those shake thy firmness, who have (themselves) no certainty of faith. [Verse:60]
We have the examples of Bilaal (RA), Sumayya (RA), Khubaib (RA) and other companions who displayed not only supernatural endurance to immense suffering but joy while in the middle of torture.
How Could It Be That They Were Happy
While Others Around Them Were Crying Over Their Pain?
We can only understand it if we have experienced even a moment of reality of Iman where everything in this life becomes meaningless and the only thing that matters is making Allah happy. These people had reached a level where they were already living in the hereafter and they weighed every situation according to its significance in the afterlife. In this state when a calamity strikes, the person thinks not of the calamity but the One who allowed this calamity to happen and the reward that is waiting.
Prophet Muhammad Saw Promised...
No Tiredness, Exhaustion, Worry, Grief, Distress Or Harm
Befalls A Believer In This World,
Not Even A Thorn That Pricks Him,
But Allah Expiates Some Of His Sins Thereby.
[Sahih Al-Bukhari And Muslim]
Which believer would not rather suffer harm in this transitory world rather than face punishment in the hereafter? Therefore, any calamity is a source of blessing for the believer who is concerned about his afterlife.
This Absolute Belief Generates Calmness In The Heart
Which Makes The Trial Not Only More Bearable
For The Sufferer And Those Around Him,
But It Also Enhances The Beauty Of The Bearer!
If a person is in love with someone and the beloved does something that is unpleasant or inconvenient, the person displays patience and even at that time tries not to hurt his beloved’s feelings by complaining. This is the case with believer who is also constantly concerned about making his beloved, allah, happy... who caused a misfortune to happen to him.
What Comparison Can We Make
Between A Human Being Bound To Make Mistakes
And The Orchestrator Of The World
Who Loves Us Seventy Times More Than Our Own Mothers?
He doesn’t want to hurt us, only elevate us spiritually by cutting our hearts’ ties with this world. This trust and love is what gives the patience its real beauty; and this mystical beauty is confounding to anyone but another believer.
Allah Is The One Who Has Created Us
With Emotions And Feelings,
And He Knows That It Is Not Easy To Be Patient
Over The Loss Of A Loved One Or A Dear Object...
This is why, Allah has promised immense rewards and re-unification with the loved ones in the hereafter. Not only that, one can reach such high levels as being a wali or friend of Allah based on his Iman and patience, that he can intercede on behalf of his loved ones who might be sentenced for punishment in hellfire.
Allah's Assurance
Allah also says in the Qur’an:
Chapter 2 Surah Al Baqarah:
On No Soul Does Allah Place A Burden
Greater Than It Can Bear
[Verse:286]
Keeping this assurance of Allah in mind, one finds the courage to face any difficulty and tribulation. This was the practice of the Prophets and all those who followed the truth. We have the story of Yaqub (AS) who saw his own sons inflicting injustice over their brother who was chosen to be a prophet, yet instead of avenging his son he chose to be patient.
Chapter 12 Surah Yusuf:
Jacob said: "Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom." [Verse:83]
It is during the time of trials that a believer realizes the love of Allah for him; that Allah chose to cleanse him in this life rather than punish him for his misdeeds in the hereafter.
It Is Shaytan Who Makes Our Hearts Constraint
And Exaggerates The Situation
Making It Harder For Us To Handle It...
The More We Entertain The Thoughts
Given To Us By Shaytan,
The More The Trials Seem Longer And More Difficult!
It is like a joyful night versus a depressed night; when one is happy and enjoying, the night seems to go fast whereas when one is sad, the night seems never ending. This is how a believer’s life is; It is like a joyful night when he is happily awaiting the sunrise which is jannah.
True Beautiful Patience Is Reflected
In A Person’s Voice And Face...
A Believer Has A Content, Happy Face Even When Suffering,
And His Voice Does Not Betray The Sad Emotions
He Is Dealing With!
We Will Meet Allah In The Same State
That We Died In
And None Of Us Know The Time Of Death!
If we die complaining and lamenting over our situation, what face will we stand in front of Allah with? How will we justify our complaint over our misfortune while at the same time we were drowned in immense gifts of Allah?
Our happiness and grief is really in our own hands. We can either choose to accept what Allah has chosen for us (Qadr-fate) or keep complaining about it. In either case we can’t change the situation.
This Acceptance Of Fate Is What Brings
Joy And Beauty To The Face
And Keeps A Person Young And Healthy...
Whereas...
Complaints And Resistance To Fate
Brings Misery, Ugliness, And Old Age Upon Us!
In other words, remembrance of hereafter keeps us young and beautiful and dunya makes us old. The choice is fairly simple and it is in your own hands: Surrender to the will of Allah and be happy in this life and the hereafter; or be miserable without being able to change what has been ordained for you.
Allah's Promise For The Patient One
IT IS THE BEARERS OF BEAUTIFUL PATIENCE
THAT ARE HELD IN ESTEEM
AND ARE PROMISED VICTORY BY ALLAH!
Chapter 2 Surah Al Baqarah:
O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. [Verse:153]
Chapter 3 Surah Al E Imran:
Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. [Verse:186]
Chapter 3 Surah Al E Imran:
O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah. that ye may prosper. [Verse:200]
Chapter 8 Surah Al Anfal:
And obey Allah and His Messenger. and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere. [Verse:46]
Chapter 11 Surah Hud:
Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward. [Verse:11]
Chapter 11 Surah Hud:
And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. [Verse:15]
Chapter 46 Surah Al Ahqaf:
Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) apostles of inflexible purpose… [Verse:35]
Chapter 16 Surah An Nahl:
What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions. [Verse:96]
Chapter 16 Surah An Nahl:
But to bear yourselves with patience is indeed far better for (you, since God is with] those who are patient in adversity. [Verse:126]
Chapter 22 Surah Al Hajj:
To those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them. [Verse:35]
Chapter 23 Surah Al Mu'minoon:
"I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..." [Verse:111]
Chapter 41 Surah Fussilat:
Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and you was hatred become as it were your friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune. [Verse:34/35]
Patience + Self Restraint = Greatest Good Fortune
Here Allah Has Equated Patience And Self Restraint
With The Greatest Good Fortune.
Chapter 28 Surah Al Qasas:
Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them. [Verse:54]
Chapter 40 Surah Ghafir:
Patiently, then, persevere: for the Promise of Allah is true: and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and celebrate the Praises of thy Lord in the evening and in the morning. [Verse:55]
Chapter 39 Surah Az Zumar:
Say: "O ye my servants who believe! Fear your Lord, good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's earth! those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!" [Verse:10]
Chapter 76 Surah Al Insan:
And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk. [Verse:12]
Chapter 2 Surah Al Baqarah:
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return":- They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance. [Verse:155/157]
Conclusion
Patience is related to calamities since we exercise patience over things that are hard on us; whereas, Jamaal or beauty is related to things that we like. The glue that joins the two is imaan or faith in the afterlife. Once a person reaches the level where hereafter overshadows the desires and comforts of this world, he is enabled to exercise beautiful patience.
When A Person Is In Vigilant State
And His Faith Is Alive In His Heart,
He Understands Who Has Ordained The Situation For Him,
And That This Situation Is Ordained For A Purpose.
This allows the person to look at his condition not as a calamity but as a reward because “Allah never takes except to give.” This giving is in the form of qualities such as contentment, happiness, tranquility, ability to forgive etc.
Example
We have the story of a pious early Muslim woman who while walking on the road fell and broke her leg. People heard it snap and came rushing to her aid only to find her smiling and thanking Allah. They were confounded at this and asked her how she was able to do this while being in such agony. She replied saying that she remembered the promise of RasulAllah SAW:
“No Tiredness, Exhaustion, Worry, Grief, Distress Or Harm
Befalls A Believer In This World,
Not Even A Thorn That Pricks Him,
But Allah Expiates Some Of His Sins Thereby.”
This is beautiful patience, the ability to smile while suffering; and she was able to do it because she was focused on her hereafter, not her current situation.
Key Ingredient
The key ingredient here is Iman; it is Iman that allows one to remember the bounty of Allah and to remain focused on who is allowing the situation to happen and why; and to forget the actual calamity-thus granting him the ability to display this beautiful patience which Allah has called the greatest good fortune:
Chapter 41 Surah Fussilat:
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint- none but persons of the greatest good fortune. [Verse:35]
Bilal RA, the moad’hin of RasulAllah SAW left a legacy of patience and endurance for all believers. He was inquired by the Prophet SAW as to how he smiles while others around him cry for his suffering and torture; he said:
Every Time I Put
The Torture The Unbelievers Inflict On Me On One Side Of The Scale
And Put The Bounty Of Guidance On The Other,
I Forget My Pain.
By This Way, If The Eyes Are On The Prize,
The Suffering Becomes Meaningless.
Ayub AS’s patience is renowned in all spiritual traditions. He endured immense suffering and loss for eighteen years and when his wife encouraged him to ask Allah to alleviate his suffering he refused saying he is shy to ask Allah for short term relief after enjoying His immense bounties for many years of his life and that he would rather be patient.
Chapter 70 Surah Maarij:
Therefore, [O Believer,]
Endure All Adversity With Goodly Patience:
Behold, Men Look Upon That [Reckoning]
As Something Far Away–but, We See It As Near!
(Verses:5,6,7)
Allah is consoling His prophet SAW and the believers saying that things that appear far to people are in reality very near which is the Day of Judgment when all matters will be reflected and settled in their true light.
Allah is telling us that this life is like a blink of an eye compared to the hereafter so it is really the afterlife that deserves our attention and not the fleeting occurrences of this world. If we remember the hereafter, we forget our calamities but if we forget the hereafter then the calamities seem massive and it is hard to be patient.
We Can Compare The Afterlife To The Destination Of A Traveler;
If The Traveler Is Excited About Reaching His Destination,
The Traveling Hardships Appear Insignificant.
But If He Is Dreading His Destination,
Every Moment And Experience On The Way Seems Unbearable.
If we have Iman in the hereafter and trust in Allah who is the orchestrator of our lives, then we will be able to demonstrate the beautiful patience that Allah expects from believers; but if we lose the faith and trust, we will lose the patience as well. This needs to apply not only in our relationship with Allah but our day to day ventures as well.
When We Think With Our Minds Instead Of Trusting
The One Who Ordained The Situations, The All-wise And Just Allah,
We Become Weak And Lose Control Of Ourselves;
But If We Trust In Allah,
Then He Will Grant Us The Ability
To Handle Whatever Allah Sends Our Way.
“Wondrous Are The Believer’s Affairs.
For Him There Is Good In All His Affairs,
And This Is So Only For The Believer.
When Something Pleasing Happens To Him,
He Is Grateful, And That Is Good For Him;
And When Something Displeasing Happens To Him,
He Is Patient, And That Is Good For Him.”
By Da'ee Ahmed Moait