THE TEACHING OF PATIENCE
Essential Islamic Virtue
A WESTERN commentator, William Paton, has observed: One of the fruits of Islam has been that stubborn durable patience which comes out of the submission to the absolute will of Allah. This observation is indeed very apt. Islam attaches great importance to patience. Most of the verses of the Quran have a bearing, directly or indirectly, upon this virtue. In truth, patience is an attribute without which the very thought of Islam is unimaginable.
The present world is designed such that one has to often face unpleasant experiences, both within and outside the home. Now if people were to fall to wrangling on all such occasions, they would fail to advance along the path of human progress. That is why Islam places great emphasis on patience, so that by avoiding all unpleasantness, man may continue his onward journey towards the higher goal of God-realization.
With patience man can avoid all unpleasantness and continue his onward journey towards the higher goal of Godrealization.
The Quran repeatedly stresses the need for patience. We are enjoined to remain patient in these words, “Endure with fortitude whatever befalls you” (31: 17). We are told to “have patience. God is with those that are patient” (8: 46). Another verse says, “Perdition shall be the lot of man except for those who believe and do good works and exhort one another to justice and to fortitude” (103: 1-3).
Similarly, the traditions have laid great emphasis on the importance of patience. The Prophet once said, ‘Listen and obey and be patient.’ On another occasion he observed: ‘God has commanded man to be patient and forgiving.’ A Companion of the Prophet said: ‘The Prophet and his Companions always remained patient in the face of persecution at the hands of enemies.’ Patience provides the basic quality for Islamic activism. In this world no one can adhere to the path of Islamic virtue without remaining patient.