Patience in the Face of Allah's Decree

Patience in the Face of Allah's Decree

From the tenets of faith in Allah is the endurance in the face of His decrees. Allah, in His wisdom and justice, has ordained that humanity be tested with commands, prohibitions, tribulations, and predetermined destinies.

The Almighty commands us to endure patiently through painful circumstances such as poverty, illnesses, accidents, and death. He says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا) [آل عمران: 200])

[O believers! Patiently endure] 3:200.

Moreover, in another verse, He declares:

  وَاصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ﴾ [النحل: 127])

[Be patient ˹O Prophet˺, for your patience is only with Allah’s help.] 16:127.

Allah has promised abundant rewards for those who endure patiently. He stated in clear terms:

 إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ﴾ [الزمر: 10])

[Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.] 39:10.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, emphasized the illuminating nature of patience when he said, "And patience is a light."[1]

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "No one has been given a gift better and more comprehensive than patience."[2]

Patience, as commanded, comes in three forms:

1. Patience in obeying Allah.

2. Patience in abstaining from disobeying Allah.

3. Patience in enduring the painful decrees of Allah.

Patience in enduring Allah's decrees means restraining oneself from lamentation, keeping the tongue from complaint, and preventing the limbs from what Allah has prohibited.

When a person faces a calamity, it is incumbent upon him to be patient. Patience is obligatory, and being content with the decree is commendable; it holds a lofty position in faith.

Contrary to patience are actions like:

1. Beating the cheeks, tearing clothes, and wailing. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "He is not one of us who beats his cheeks, tears his clothes, and invokes with calls of ignorance."

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Two habits in people are acts of disbelief: defaming one's lineage and loud wailing over the dead."

The meaning of "An-Niyahah" (wailing):

It refers to raising one's voice in lamentation by enumerating the virtues of the deceased. Weeping without raising the voice is not prohibited. The Prophet, peace be upon him, dissociated himself from three practices: "Al-Haliqah" (shaving part of the head), "As-Saaliqah" (raising the voice in lamentation), and "Ash-Shaqqah" (tearing one's clothes) - expressions of grief over the dead.

His disapproval indicates that these actions are among major sins. It is recommended for a believer, when afflicted with a calamity, to say:

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون، اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي واخلف لي خيرا منها.

"To Allah we belong, and to Him, we shall return. O Allah, reward me in my calamity and replace it with something better for me."

Condolence for the bereaved is of Sunnah, saying:

أحسن الله عزاءك، عظم الله أجرك، جبر الله مصيبتك، غفر الله لميتك.

"May Allah improve your condition. May Allah magnify your reward. May Allah forgive your deceased."

It is also commendable to prepare food for the family of the deceased, lightening their burden and consoling them. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "Prepare food for the family of Ja'far for indeed, something has preoccupied them."

Building tents and gathering people for condolences and preparing food for mourners are considered innovations.

It is permissible to offer condolences in various places, whether at home, in the mosque, or at the workplace. The family members of the deceased can gather at one of their homes without outward signs of mourning.

The sixteenth lesson concludes with gratitude to Allah.