The reality of patience:

 Dear brother, we will discuss a new topic of the series "Ways of Access and Signs of Acceptance", and it is about one of the most significant topics, which is "patience".

 The reality of patience is indicated in the following Ayah; Allah the Almighty says:

(Truly, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah's Torment). But man bore it.)

[Al-Ahzab, 72]

 "Al-Amanah" is but your ownself with which you are entrusted by Allah. If you make it acquainted with her Lord, if you force her to obey Him and if you draw closer to Allah by offering good deeds, your reward will be as mentioned in the following Ayah:

(And for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth)

[Aal-'Imran, 133]

 You will be granted Paradise for eternity. However, you should first pay its price, which is patience.

Constituents of the Divine assignment:

 Patience is faith, how? Allah the Almighty created this universe to be a sign which leads to Him. Thus, this universe is one of the greatest constituents of the Divine assignment (to mankind). Also, it manifests the Beautiful Names and the Sublime Attributes of Allah. Allah, granted you the mind to be a tool of getting yourself acquainted with Him. The principles of the mind accord with the laws of the universe; the Principle of Causality, the Principle of Purposefulness and the Law of Non-contradiction. Furthermore, Allah installed desires in you:

(Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land.)

[Aal-'Imran, 14]

 Also, Allah created in you the Fitrah which accords completely with the Divine Method; you feel at ease whenever you apply the Divine commands, and you feel distressed whenever you do something forbidden. Hence, Allah has granted you the universe, the reasoning, the nature, the desires and the free will:

(Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve.)

[Al-Kahf, 29]

 He evaluates your deeds according to the Divine Method in which orders and bans are clarified. Needless to say that Allah has given you time. These are the constituents of the Divine assignment to mankind. Let me refer to the nature of our relation with these constituents. Allah the Almighty installed desires in you and He granted you a free will by which you can fulfill these desires either in Haram or in Halal. For example, you have the desire to collect money and be rich, but Allah orders you to spend money on Sadaqah. Also, man has the free will to earn money through thousand means, but Almighty Allah orders him to earn it legally. Moreover, you have a desire towards women, but you are ordered to satisfy your desire with women only through marriage, not by committing adultery which is forbidden. Hence, desires are installed in you, and the range, in which you can fulfill them, extends to 180 degrees. However, you are permitted to fulfill them in the range that stops at 100 degrees only.

Following desires according to Allah's Method is permissible:

 Patience is manifested in following one's desires within the permitted limits, and this explains why faith is patience You are patient as long as your actions in the worldly life are done within the limits Allah allows for you, and the proof is in the following Ayah:

(And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah?)

[Al-Qasas, 50]

 The adverse meaning, according to the scholars of Al-Usul (the fundamentals of Islam), is that he who fulfills his desires according to Allah's Method is on the safe side. It is not a shameful act to get married and satisfy one's desires, and it is not shameful to become rich by earning money legally. There is always an Islamic healthy way through which man can fulfill all the desires installed in him. In Islam there is no deprivation (in fulfilling one's desires), rather there is regulation. Every desire has an Islamic way through which it is fulfilled, so these desires can be means by which you will be either exalted or hit rock bottom.

 A noble scholar said to me once: "I have twenty eight grandchildren, most of them are Quran Huffaz (memorize Quran by heart) and a great number of them are doctors". I thought about what he told me and said to myself that this group of Quran Huffaz of doctors and engineers are the offspring of a sexual relation ( marriage) between this scholar and his wife, who gave birth to sons and daughters. The latter were married to sons and daughters in laws who gave birth to those twenty eight grandchildren. This sexual relation could be satisfied in any brothel. Hence, the sexual desire can be means to be elevated to the highest degree or to be fallen to the lowest level (of morality).

The relation between patience and faith:

 What is the relation between patience and faith? Actually faith is all about patience, but how? It is manifested in the believer's movement in life; all of his movements are motivated by his desires, and he fulfills them according to the Divine Method. The believer needs to eat, drink, get married, get a job, earn money and excel, but all those needs should be satisfied according to the Divine Method, whereas the disbeliever earns ill-gotten money, drinks wine, fornicates, lies, kills and oppresses sh3er. You must have heard about people who did such things in our daily life.

(Is then he who is a believer like him who is Fasiq (disbeliever and disobedient to Allah)? Not equal are they.)

[As-Sajdah, 18]

(Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)? What is the matter with you? How judge you?)

[Al-Qalam, 35-36]

(Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgment that they make.)

[Al-Jathiyah, 21]

(Is he whom We have promised an excellent promise (Paradise), which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy the luxuries of the life of (this) world, then on the Day of Resurrection, he will be among those brought up (to be punished in the Hell-fire)?)

[Al-Qasas, 61]

 We can summarize the entire religion in one word; it is "patience". Let me make that clear by giving you an example about someone who wants to be a famous doctor. This person should study for 37 years in order to have his ambition achieved. Had not he been patient during the years of his study, he would have been one of those who keep on streets (such as gangs). Seeking satisfying sensual desires has no prosperous results in the future; whoever spends his life in fulfilling his desires will not become a great scientist, a famous doctor or a well-known industrialist. Therefore, patience is needed even in achieving your goals in the worldly life. Patience is a prerequisite to become an icon in this life.

Patience is the price of Paradise:

 If I say that religion can be summed up in one word, which is patience, I am not exaggerating or being irrational. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said: "Patience has been mentioned in Quran ninety times, because faith is all about patience, and because man was created for Paradise, and the price of Paradise is patience."

 What comes to your mind when the name of our Prophet Yusuf, may Allah have peace upon him, is mentioned before you? He is a Noble Prophet whose exaltedness was embodied in his chastity:

(He said: "I seek refuge in Allah (or Allah forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him).)

[Yusuf, 23]

 He remained patient when he was tempted to fulfill his sexual desire (out of the frame of marriage). Also, our Master Ayoob, may Allah have peace upon him, was described by Allah as follows:

(We found him patient.)

[Saad, 44]

 Therefore, patience is the price of paradise.

The difference between the believer and the disbeliever:

 The disbeliever can do whatever he likes. He eats whatever he wants, no matter whether that food from Halal or Haram resource, he befriends whoever he likes; good people or bad people, he goes wherever he wants; to a Cabaret or a night club, he takes money as he wishes and he oppresses whoever he wants. You may hear about such kind of people or see their bad deeds. Unlike the disbeliever, the believer is disciplined:

((Faith prevented assassination. A believer should not assassinate.))

[Abu Dawood by Abu Huraira]

 When crusaders conquered Al-Quds, they killed seventy thousand Muslims in two days and the blood ran like rivers in the roads, whereas when Salah Aldeen opened Al-Quds, he didn't shed even one drop of blood.

((Faith prevented assassination. A believer should not assassinate.))

 The Muslim can never adopt the principle of reciprocity, and he will never do that, because he is restrained (by his faith and the Islamic teachings). Being restrained is a medal of honor for him.

 The Prophet, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him, said:

((Iman is in two halves: half is patience ( sabr) and half is gratitude (shukr).))

[Baihaki in Shu'ab Al Iman by Anas]

 You swing between two states, a state that you long for (graces and boons), to which you should be thankful, and a state that brings pain to you (afflictions in life), towards which you should be patient:

((How strange is the matter of a believer; there is good in all his affairs, and this is only for the believer. If something good happens to him and he is grateful, then this is good for him, and if a calamity befalls him and he is patient, then this is also good for him.))

[Muslim by Suhaib Ar-Rumi]

 What distinguishes the believer from the disbeliever is that he is grateful and patient.

Muslims will become worthless if Islam is understood as mere rituals:

 The other Hadith which supports the relation between faith and patience:

((Faith is patience))

[Narrated in the tradition]

 All your actions should accord with Allah's guidance; whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do in your house, whatever you do at work, whatever you do on the street, the way you grieve, the way you celebrate your ceremonies, whatever you do in the country you live, whatever you do in your travels, whatever upsets you and whatever pleases you. All these things are included in a detailed integrated Islamic Method which consists of more than 500 thousand items starting which regulating your relation with your wife in the bedroom and ending with the international relations.

 The major problem of Muslims nowadays is that they turned this religion into mere ritual acts of worship ignoring hundreds yet thousands of instructions which regulate all life affairs. For example, it is forbidden in Islam to take out the guts of a slaughtered animal before making sure that it is dead. By Allah, I saw with my own eyes a man who slaughtered a hen and a second later he dunked it in boiling water in order to remove its feathers easily. There are Islamic instructions even about the way you treat an animal before and after slaughtering it. For, example, you can't slaughter a lamp in front of another one. Concerning this instruction the Prophet, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him, said to a man who was about to slaughter a lamp in front of another one: "May you slaughter it away from its sister, do you want to kill it twice?"

 Hence, there are hundreds of thousands of Islamic instructions which regulate your entire life, because Islam is an integrated system. When Muslims turned it into mere rituals, they lag behind all nations. Let alone that their affairs are run by sh3er, they don't have the upper hand and they are controlled by sh3er in thousand ways as you can see and hear. The problem of Muslims lies in turning the integrated system of Islam into acts of worship only. You may notice how a Muslim performs his prayers, fasts Ramadhan, performs Hajj and pays Zakat, but the way he earns his money, the way he behaves in his house, the way he celebrates ceremonies, the way he grieves, the way he treats people, daughters, wife and parents are all based on his own interests. Turning the integrated system of Islam into mere ritual acts of worship makes Muslims worthless. I used to mention the following Hadith, but I stopped doing that many years ago fearing that people may not believe it anymore. The Hadith is:

((Twelve thousands would never be defeated due to fewness.))

[Ibn Majah by An'as Ibn Malek]

 Few days ago, we watched on T.V how the ten thousand fighters (in Gaza) were able to face the most powerful army in the world (Zionist's army). Actually there are delicate Divine standards.

Patience is an obligation according to all Islamic Schools of Thought:

 Dear brother:

((Faith is patience))

 Patience is an obligation according to all Islamic Schools of Thought, because Allah says in the noble Quran:

(Be patient (O Muhammad PBUH))

[Saad, 17]

 This is an order, and every order entails obligation:

(Be patient (O Muhammad PBUH))

 You are obliged to follow Allah's Method which is a set of orders and bans. As a believer, you should validate every Shari'ah ruling; do what you are ordained to do and restrain from doing whatever is impermissible. The following Ayah is very crucial:

(It is not for a believer)

[Al-Ahzab, 36]

 The word "believer" indicates a pledge of faith with Allah; you believe in Allah as the Lord, the Creator and the Deity. Also, you believe in His existing Divine Entity, Oneness and perfect Deity. Since you make a vow towards Allah to obey Him, there is a pledge of faith. When Allah addresses you by the following:

(O you who believe!)

[Al-Baqarah, 153]

 This means, "O My slave, according to the pledge of faith between you and Me":

(It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision.)

[Al-Ahzab, 36]

 Divine orders and bans are unquestionable self-evident rulings, unlike the items of any agenda included at conferences or in treaties which are subjects of negotiations. The believer has the free will to choose his wife, job and the place to live in, but when it comes to the Divine orders and bans, he has no option in his decision:

(It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision.)

Patience is the means to rejoice in the worldly life and in the Hereafter:

 Patience is the means to fulfill the purpose of your existence:

(O you who believe! Seek help in patience)

[Al-Baqarah, 153]

 A nation cannot prosper but by patience. Allah says:

(Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allah, though their plot was a great (one, still) it would never be able to remove the mountains (real mountains or the Islamic law) from their places (as it is of no importance) [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 2, Page 597]. [It is said by some interpreters regarding this Verse)

[Ibrahim, 46]

 Despite all that He says:

(But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2), not the least harm will their cunning do to you.)

[Aal-'Imran, 120]

 When you remain patient and submissive to Allah, you put an end to the plot of all Kuffar (infidels) and you defeat their power, violence, weapons, wicked conspiracies, wealth and media.

(But if you remain patient and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2), not the least harm will their cunning do to you.)

 Therefore, patience is the means to achieve happiness in the worldly life and in the Hereafter, and it is the means to fulfill the purpose of your existence in life.

(O you who believe! Seek help in patience)

The more knowledge man has, the more patient he becomes:

 The more knowledge you have, the more patient you become. Consider the example of an adult and a child on the dental chair. The dentist informs them that anesthesia is bad for their hearts, and they have to be patient and stand the pain. The grown up person will able to bear pain, and he will keep silent, while the child who does not comprehend what the dentist tells him concerning anesthesia, will start shouting and even hitting the dentist. Therefore, the more you know, the more patient you are.
Once a student said to me: "I don't fear Allah". Well, he seemed to be atheist, so I said to him: "You are absolutely right" to which he got angry and said to me: "Why?" I answered him: "Because the farmer's little son also doesn't fear the ten meter long snake in the wheat field as long as he does not comprehend the danger he is in. Who do you think fear the snake? Only the one who comprehends its danger fears it (i.e. the adult)".
 Fear is closely related to comprehension, and the lesser your comprehension is the little your fear is. The doctor sometimes cleans fruits so many times till you get bored of him. He does that, because he knows the contagious nature of germs and bacteria which cause epidemics and intractable diseases. Thus the more you know, the more patient you remain.

Man should ask Allah's help to be patient:

 Almighty Allah says:

(And endure you patiently (O Muhammad PBUH), your patience is not but from Allah.)

[An-Nahl, 127]

 Seek Allah's help in order to be patient:

(And endure you patiently (O Muhammad PBUH), your patience is not but from Allah.)

 Muslims who are oppressed are amazingly patient, because of Allah's help. What afflicts them is beyond the ability of mankind to take, yet Allah the Almighty helps them remain patient (in facing these afflictions):

(And endure you patiently (O Muhammad PBUH), your patience is not but from Allah.)

 If a person is weak, he can do nothing but remain patient. Patience in such a case is but a feeling of oppression. Allah says:

(O you (Muhammad PBUH) enveloped (in garments)! Arise and warn! And your Lord (Allah) magnify! And your garments purify! And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)! And give not a thing in order to have more (or consider not your deeds of Allah's obedience as a favour to Allah). And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)!)

[Al-Muddathir, 1-7]

 The believer is patient in general, however if he was oppressed:

(And those who, when an oppressive wrong is done to them, they take revenge.)

[Ash-Shura, 39]

 He resorts to patience for the sake of Allah, not because he is helpless, weak or humiliated. He resorts to patience when he is at top of power. Follow the steps of our Prophet, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him. There were ten thousand swords under his command when he entered Makkah, yet he, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him, said to his enemies:

(('O Quraysh, what do you think I am going to do to you?'. They said: 'You will treat us as a kind nephew and a generous brother would.' To this he, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him, replied: 'This day there is no reproof against you; go your way, for you are free.'))

[The Prophetic Biography]

 The weak person has to resort to patience whether he likes it or not, because he is helpless so his patience isn't a real one, whereas the patience of the powerful is the real one. Forgiving those who oppressed you is what patience is all about, and making your patience for the sake of Allah turns it into a heroic act and a good deed.

 You are recommended to be patient and to endure pain with patience. If someone opens his heart to you complaining about his distress, you should help him remain patient instead of saying to him: "If I were in your shoes, I would commit suicide", because these words make the situation worse:

(Endure and be more patient (than your enemy))

[Aal-'Imran, 200]

(Therefore be patient (O Muhammad PBUH) as did the Messengers of strong will)

[Al-Ahqaf, 35]

 Who is your example in patience? The Prophets, may Allah have peace upon them, not the corrupted, because the latter have no patience.

Feelings and deeds which indicate impatience:

 Dear brother, Allah the Almighty says:

(O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds.)

[Muhammad, 33]

 A person served his mother for ten years, but then he got fed up with that to such an extent that he was outraged, and he said offensive words to her. She started crying, and she called her other son who took her to his house to serve her, and she died in his house the very next day. The moral lesson: Don't turn your good deeds into fruitless ones:

(Therefore be patient (O Muhammad PBUH) as did the Messengers of strong will)

 Dear brother, weakness and melancholy indicate impatience. The same goes for, getting bored (of everything), fleeing from battlefield and wishing for the Allah's Torment to be hastened on:

(So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers.)

[Aal-'Imran, 139]

 We will continue discussing this topic in another meeting insha' Allah.