Patience is the reaction of an individual who condescends and willingly carries out the commands of Almighty Allah, abstain from all His prohibitions and accepts all the trials and tribulations of life. Patience is the withholding of natural inclinations to avoid inappropriate occurrences, withholding from complaining and withholding oneself (body) from doing something negative, such as slapping one’s own face or tearing one’s clothes when something unfortunate happens. According to Al-Qaradawi Yusuf patience helps distance one from matters that are against the wishes of Almighty Allah. Al Ghazali, Abu Mahmud Muhammad was once asked about patience and he replied that patience is an emotional feeling that can eliminate the feeling of bitterness while still in a state of sadness. A person who has a high degree of patience should not express his habit of complaining when confronted with adversities. However, there are acts of complaining that are permitted and do not devalue the virtue of patience, such as the complaining by Prophet Yaqoob (AS), who said, “I confide my sadness only to Allah.” Even the Prophet (SAW) exhorted, “Oh Allah, I confide in You about my weaknesses, my strengths and some of my efforts.” Patience is the inner strength available when facing the trials and tribulations of life that safely carries the individual through the tragic epilogue with calm and an open heart.
According to Islam, patience is the feeling of confidence that Allah (SWT) will surely render help when someone is faced with a challenging situation but remains calm and tenacious.
Patience can also enhance mental strength when confronted with the adversities of life without complaining, which then enhances positive values leading to the perseverance required for facing the trials and tribulations of life. Individuals who possess a high degree of patience can exercise self-control when facing adversities due to the inner strength and understanding that one can seek refuge in Almighty Allah in dire and challenging situations.“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)”. In this Verse Almighty Allah elaborates on one’s functions and priorities when being patient and facing the trials and tribulations in life. The advantage of practicing resilience in life is evident and it indicates that anyone who possesses a degree of patience will receive help from Almighty Allah when faced with obstacles and trials in life in this world, which is temporary in nature, compared to being permanent in the afterlife. According to Islam, patience is the feeling of confidence that Allah (SWT) will surely render help when someone is faced with a challenging situation but remains calm and tenacious. The element of patience has several definitions, such as: (1) Patience teaches one to control one’s feelings, be careful and not be hasty (2) Patience means perseverance, strength, steadfastness and constancy (3) Patience means to be organized, structured and systematic (4) Patience means condescending and having an open heart when facing a direct situation in life. Almighty Allah exhorted in Surah Al-Baqarah, “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good tidings to the patient”. This means that no matter how big the problem is, one should think positively and when disaster strikes, one should realize that everything belongs to Almighty Allah and eventually, everything will return to Him.
