QURANIC VERSES ABOUT PATIENCE THE PATH TO PARADISE

QURANIC VERSES ABOUT PATIENCE THE PATH TO PARADISE

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

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Thursday 10th JUNE 2021 CE AND 29th SHAWWAL 1442 AH

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum WA-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger.

Help us Answer the Ummah! Every second, everywhere someone needs an answer. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “A person who leads others to doing what is good will earn the same reward as those who do it.” (Muslim, 1893).

وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (١٣٩)

 “Do not lose hope, nor be sad. You will surely be victorious if you are true in Faith.” And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].” [Holy Quran Chapter Al Imran Ayah 139]

إِن يَنصُرۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمۡ‌ۖ وَإِن يَخۡذُلۡكُمۡ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ‌ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١٦٠)

 “If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.”

[Holy Quran Chapter Imran Ayah 160]

Preamble

In Islam, we are taught three main types of patience:

1. Steadfastness or perseverance to fulfill Allah’s commands

2. Forbearance or self-restraint from committing that which Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] prohibits

3. Endurance or fortitude in the face of grief and calamity.

Patience is a trait that is highly encouraged in Islam. It is the ability to endure difficulties and be calm in the face of adversity. It is also considered a virtue which will reap great rewards, as Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] says in the Quran:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ‌ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٌ۬‌ۗ وَأَرۡضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٲسِعَةٌ‌ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجۡرَهُم بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ۬ (١٠)

Say “O My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.”(Quran Surah Az-Zumar, 39:10)

Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] mentions the word ‘Sabr’ in its different forms in the Quran. Apart from patience, it can also be defined as endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, restraint and perseverance.

Real patience is at the first stroke of calamity or grief, as mentioned in a hadith. The (ﷺ)  said:

إِنَّمَا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَةِ الْأُولَ

“Verily, patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Patience is a virtue and it definitely requires practice. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] mentions it numerous times in the Quran, which shows us it’s great importance.

Patience: The Path to Paradise – Part I

Here are some Quranic verses about patience:

1) Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] commands us to seek help through patience and prayer

When facing difficulties and going through tough times in life, it is vital that we believe Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] is always ready to help us. Therefore, we need to be patient and seek His help through prayers.

وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ‌ۚ وَإِنَّہَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَـٰشِعِينَ (٤٥)

 “And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble” (Quran Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:45)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (١٥٣)

“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.” (Quran Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:153)

2) Patience and forgiveness are a sign of strong determination

As the reward for patience is great and without limit, it undoubtedly requires determination and lots of practice.

وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ (٤٣)

And whoever endures patiently and forgives—surely this is a resolve to aspire to. (Quran Surah Ash-Shuraa, 42:43)

3) The patient will be rewarded with the highest place in Heaven

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يُجۡزَوۡنَ ٱلۡغُرۡفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ وَيُلَقَّوۡنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً۬ وَسَلَـٰمًا (٧٥)

‘’It is they who will be rewarded with (elevated) mansions (in Paradise) for their perseverance, and will be received with salutations and (greetings of) peace" (Quran Surah Al-Furqan, 25:75)

4) Enjoining good and forbidding wrong require patience

Facing hardships is inevitable when we are enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Therefore, patience is required.

يَـٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱنۡهَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ (١٧)

 “O my dear son! Establish prayer, encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this is a resolve to aspire to." (Quran Surah Luqman, 31:17)

5) Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] does not lose the reward of those who are patient

Patience is considered as a virtuous good deed. At times, we may think that we are at a loss when our patience does not bear the result that we aspire to. Verily Allah reminds us that those who are patient are among the good-doers whose rewards are promised.

وَٱصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (١١٥)

"And be patient; verily, Allah loses not the reward of the good-doers."( Quran Surah Hud, 11:115)

6) Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] loves those who are patient

One of the most pleasured rewards in this world and the next is to receive the love of Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Having patience entails love from The Most Loving.

وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (١٤٦)

"And Allah loves the steadfast." (Quran Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:146)

7) Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] is with those who are patient

Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] is sufficient for us and He knows everything that we are going through. When we are faced with hardships and events that test our character, let us remind ourselves that we want Allah to be with us, and that is through beautiful patience.

وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَا تَنَـٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡ‌ۖ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (٤٦)

"Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another, or you would be discouraged and weakened. Persevere! Surely Allah is with those who persevere." (Quran Surah Al-Anfal, 8:46)

Patience: The Path to Paradise – Part II

Ramadan is the month of patience and just left us; and Paradise is the reward of patience. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.} [Quran 2:45-46]

b. {O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.} [Quran 2:153]

Commenting on the last verse, Mujahid said, “Patience in this verse means fasting. That is why Ramadan is called the month of patience. Therefore, both fasting and prayer are firmly connected in this verse, since fasting curbs desire and makes one abstinent regarding this worldly life, while prayer inspires humbleness and submission, removes arrogance and encourages love for the Hereafter.”

It is narrated through an authentic Hadeeth (narration) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fast the month of patience and three days each month…”

Ramadan is the month of patience as the person who observes fasting is patient regarding acts of obedience and avoiding acts of disobedience. He abstains from the permissible things he used to enjoy out of obedience to Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] and in fulfillment of piety. Meanwhile, he stops himself from doing acts of disobedience and forces himself to do many righteous acts which bring one closer to Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala], such as observing the voluntary night prayers, giving in charity, maintaining kinship ties, providing food for the needy and bearing the suffering of hunger and thirst.

It is also the month of Jihad (striving in the cause of Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala]), and Jihad is a form of patience. The Prophet (ﷺ) conducted two battles during the month of Ramadan, the ever greatest battles: the Battle of Badr and the Conquest of Makkah.

The Companions realized that Ramadan is the month of patience. They showed great patience in bearing the responsibility of calling to Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala], performing Jihad, obeying Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala], avoiding acts of disobedience and being satisfied with the decree of Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ) as well as the Companions used to reach the highest degree of patience during the month of Ramadan, which is the month of patience.

Have we learnt this lesson from observing the fast and the night voluntary prayers during the month of Ramadan?

The patient will be given their reward without account:

مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ ۥ عَشۡرُ أَمۡثَالِهَا‌ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجۡزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثۡلَهَا وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ (١٦٠)

Allah The Exalted made the reward of good deeds well-known, all having the same result, Saying (what means): {Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgment] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit]} [Quran 6:160]

In another verse, He made the reward of charity for the sake of Allah even greater, Saying (what means):

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٲلَهُمۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍ۬ مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّةٍ۬‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٲسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ (٢٦١)

{The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.} [Quran 2:261]

Nevertheless, He made the reward of the patient without account, Saying (what means):

a. {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} [Quran 39:10]

b. {And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 42:43]

It was said that the patient person in the first verse means those who fast, for in an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated that Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says: “Fasting is for Me and I give reward for it…” [Al-Bukhari] Here the reward of fasting is not determined, unlike the case with patience, the reward of which was determined.

The reward of the patient is Paradise:

Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] informed us that His angels confer peace upon the patient in Paradise due to their patience in the worldly life. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured.”} [Quran 13:23-24]

b. {And [He] will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].} [Quran 76:12]

c. {Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.} [Quran 25:75-76]

Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari narrated that the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), said: “When a person’s child dies, Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says to His Angels, ‘Have you taken the child of My slave?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He Says, ‘Have you taken the apple of his eye?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He Says, ‘What did My slave say?’ They say, ‘He praised You and said “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon (Verily to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return).’ Allah Says, ‘Build for My slave a house in Paradise and call it the house of praise.’” [At-Tirmithi, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban] [Al-Albani: Hasan]

Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says: When I afflict My slave in his two beloveds (i.e. afflicting him with blindness) and he shows patience, I Will Compensate him for his two eyes with Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari and Al-Albani: Saheeh]

The wording of another narration reads: “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says: When I take the two dear things (i.e. afflict his eyes with blindness) of My slave in this worldly life, his reward from Me will be Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albani: Saheeh]

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says, 'Whosoever his two beloveds I take (i.e. afflicted his eyes with blindness), yet he shows patience and hopes for My reward, I shall be satisfied with no less reward for him than Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albani: Saheeh]

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] is not satisfied with a reward less than Paradise for His believing slave when He takes his dearest one from among the inhabitants of this worldly life, yet he shows patience and hopes for His reward.” [Abu Dawood] [Al-Albani: Hasan]

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says: I Have no reward other than Paradise for My believing slave who (remains patient) and hopes for My reward when I take his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the worldly life.” [Al-Bukhari]

‘Ataa’ ibn Abi Rabah said, “Ibn ‘Abbas said to me, 'Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This black woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to her): 'If you wish I could invoke Allah to cure you, or if you wish, be patient and you will obtain Paradise.' She said, 'I will be patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.' So, he invoked Allah for her and she did not become uncovered again.'” [Al-Bukhari and Ahmad]

‘Attaa’ ibn Yasar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “When a slave (of Allah) falls ill, Allah sends him two angels and Says to them, ‘See what he will say to his visitors?’ If he praises Allah and glorifies Him when they come to him, they will inform Allah of that, and indeed He knows best. Thereupon, Allah Says, ‘It is due upon Me for My slave if I cause him to die (of his illness) to admit him to Paradise, and to replace him with flesh better than his flesh and blood better than his blood and forgive his misdeeds if I cause him to recover.’” [Al- Bukhari; Al-Albani classed it as Hasan by virtue of corroborating narrations]

Patience: The Path to Paradise – Part III

In the renowned book ‘Udat As-Sabireen, Ibn Al-Qayyim quoted Imam Ahmad as saying, “Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] mentioned patience in the Quran in ninety places.”

Here we will mention [22] the various contexts in which patience was mentioned:

First[1]: The command to be patient; Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allah.} [Quran 16:127]

b. {And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord.} [Quran 52:48]

c. {O you who have believed, be patient and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.} [Quran 3:200]

Second[2]: Forbidding the opposite of patience; Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And do not be impatient for them.} [Quran 46:35]

b. {So do not weaken and do not grieve…} [Quran 3:139]

c. {And be not like the companion of the fish…} [Quran 68:48]

In general, every forbidden thing is the opposite of patience that is commanded.

Third[3]: Making success contingent on patience; Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {O you who have believed, be patient and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.} [Quran 3:200]

In the verse, success was made contingent on the mentioned matters.

Fourth[4]: Informing of the multiplied reward of those who are patient; Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} [Quran 39:10]

Sulayman ibn Al-Qasim said, “Each good deed has a known reward except patience. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} It is like flowing water.”

Fifth[5]: Leadership in religion is made contingent upon patience and certainty in Allah; Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.} [Quran 32:24]

With patience and certainty, one obtains leadership in religion.

Sixth[6]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] is with the patient; Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Allah is with the patient.} [Quran 2:153]

Abu ‘Ali Ad-Daqqaq said, “The patient won the honor of both worlds because they won the advantage that Allah is with them.”

Seventh[7]: Those who are patient are given three things together from Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala], which are not available for others: His blessings, mercy and guidance. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {But give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:155-157]

When one of the righteous predecessors was offered condolences for a disaster which afflicted him, he said, “How could I not be patient when Allah has promised me three things for patience, each one is better than this world and what is in it.”

Eighth[8]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] made patience a means for seeking help and support; He Says (what means): {And seek help through patience and prayer.} [Quran 2:45]

This means that a person who is not patient is neither supported nor helped.

Ninth[9]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] made victory contingent upon patience and observing consciousness of Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala]. He Says (what means): {Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction].} [Quran 3:125]

The Prophet (ﷺ) therefore, said: “Know that victory is with patience.”

Tenth[10]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] made patience and fear of Him a great means of protection from the cunning and plotting of the enemies. They are the greatest of all refuges. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all.} [Quran 3:120]

Eleventh[11]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says that His angels greet the patient in Paradise with peace due to their patience; He, the Exalted, Says (what means): {And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home."} [Quran 13:23-24]

Twelfth[12]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] allowed the patient to punish with an equivalent of that with which they were harmed, then He gave an asserted oath that showing patience is better. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.} [Quran 16:126]

The Arabic equivalent of the verse has many signs indicating assertion and affirmation of the oath.

Thirteenth[13]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] made forgiveness and great reward the consequence of patience and righteous deeds; He Says (what means): {Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.} [Quran 11:11]

Fourteenth[14]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] considered patience over affliction and disasters one of the matters which require determination. Actually, determination is required over the noblest and greatest of deeds. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 42:43]

b. {And be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 31:17]

Fifteenth[15]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] promised believers the victory and it is part of the glad tidings that will surely fulfilled for them. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says that they got that only through patience; He Says (what means): {And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured.} [Quran 7:137]

Sixteenth[16]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] loves those who are patient. He Says (what means): {And Allah loves the steadfast.} [Quran 3:146]

Seventeenth[17]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says that the great reward is only for the patient; this is mentioned in two Soorahs (Chapters) of the Quran. In the course of the story of Qaroon (Korah), Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."} [Quran 28:80]

In the other verse in Chapter Fussilat, Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] ordered His slaves to repel evil by that deed which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].} [Quran 41:35]

Eighteenth[8]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] informed us that only the patient and grateful people benefit and are deterred by His signs. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means):

a. {And We certainly sent Moosa (Moses) with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allah." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 14:5]

b. {And of His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains. If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 42:32-33]

The verse indicates that only the patient and grateful people draw benefit from the signs of Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala].

Nineteenth[19]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] praised His Prophet Ayyoob (Job) [Alaihi Salaam] in the best way due to his patience. Allah Says (what means): {Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].} [Quran 38:44]

Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] described him as an excellent slave of Allah because He found him patient. This means that when a slave of Allah is put to trial and he is impatient, he is not a good slave of Allah.

Twentieth[20]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] generally judged all those who do not believe and are not from the people of truth and patience that they are losers. This means that none of them is successful. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.} [Quran 103:1-3]

Commenting on the verses, Ash-Shafi‘i said, “If people contemplate only this verse, it shall be sufficient for them. That is because the Slave of Allah attains perfection when he perfects his two powers: knowledge and practice, which are belief and doing righteous deeds. As one needs to attain perfection, he also needs to help others to attain perfection through exchanging advice with truth and patience.”

Twenty-first[21]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] singles out the companions of the right that they are the people of patience and compassion. They acted according to these two characteristics and advised others to do so. Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. Those are the companions of the right.} [Quran 90:17-18]

This means that the companions of the right are only those who are patient and compassionate. Regarding these two characteristics, people are of four types: those who are patient and compassionate –and they are the best –, those who are neither patient nor compassionate – and they are the worst –, and between them are those who have only one of the two characteristics.

Twenty-second [22]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] made patience firmly connected to all the pillars of Islam and to faith in general.

a. Prayer: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And seek help through patience and prayer.} [Quran 2:45]

b. The righteous deeds in general: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds...} [Quran 11:11]

c. Fear of Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala]: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient.} [Quran 12:90]

d. Gratefulness: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 14:5]

e. Mercy and compassion: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion* Those are the companions of the right.} [Quran 90:17-18]

f. Certainty: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.} [Quran 32:24]

g. Truthfulness: Allah [Subhanahu Wa Taala] Says (what means): {The truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women} [Quran 33:35]