SABR (PATIENCE )- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE And Challenges of 21ST CENTURY

Fiaz Fazili Wed, Jul 12, 2:43 PM to editorgawahexpress 16JULY2023 GAWAH EXPRESS SABR (PATIENCE )- AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE And Challenges of 21ST CENTURY Sabr is commonly understood to mean patience but in the Arabic language, it is more than that. Patience means to confine or contain. Patience has great status in the sight of Allah Almighty and in Islam considered one of the best forms of deeds (behaviours) which has the limitless great reward. Patience is when we show restraint whilst dealing with a difficult situation. Trials and tribulations are part of this earthly life, and no nation or an individual can escape from them when Allah the Almighty tests by afflictions, whoever He wishes of His servants, with whatever He wishes, whenever He wishes and however, He wishes. A person’s life in this world is never uniform, periods of happiness and dismay, strength, and weakness, wealth and poverty, health, and sickness etc fluctuate. An immediate depressed (sad) mood is a normal reaction to disappointments or losses, as sons of Adam are born weak. Many of us think, “These afflictions”, “Why Me”.? Patience and perseverance are both needed for the heart to attain what it desires. Patience (sabr) is a comprehensive virtue in Islam that encompasses perseverance, endurance, forbearance, diligence, and restraint. It is a characteristic of enlightenment that develops in the heart of a Muslim. Whoever would be patient, then Allah will make him patient. When problems start afflicting any one of us, one is expected to, “seek aid in patience and prayer”, and “those who are patient will be given their reward in full, beyond reckoning.” (Quran) The ignorant person due to lack of Imaan (faith) finds him/herself in misery, fear and grief and helplessness. He or she forgets Allah (SWT) has decreed these matters to occur and the decisions are His, and His alone. One can never feel completely at ease unless he/she has firm belief that whatever has afflicted him /her was already pre-ordained." No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in the book of decree - before We bring it into existence"(Quran 57; 22). And Allah (SWT) says (which means); " Certainly, We shall test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient - those who, when afflicted with calamity say, "Truly to Allah we belong, and truly to Him shall we return." it is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; and it is those who are the guided ones." [ Quran 2:155-157 ] In the Qur’an, there’s one thing which we are assured about and that is those who are patient will be given a reward without measure “Allah has mentioned ṣabr (patient perseverance) in over ninety places in Quran. Patience is a huge act of worship and is reserved only for those who are tested with adversity. Don’t let your suffering go to waste, learn and extract maximum reward from it. See it as an opportunity to build your character and toughen your mind. Allah says in the Quran .O You who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.(ch2 V 153O). And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good –those will have the good consequence of [this]home(ch13 v 22 –Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance – that they are the attainers [of success.(ch23v 111) Praise be to Allah (SWT), Calamities and disasters are a test, and they are a sign of Allah's love for a person, because they are like medicine: even though it is bitter, despite its bitterness you give it to the one whom you love – and for Allah (SWT) is the highest. In the authentic Hadith it says: "The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396) and Ibn Maajah (4031). Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: " Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm from sickness or other matters, Allah will drop his sins because of that, like a tree drops its leaves." [Bukhari/Muslim]. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “A Muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression - even if pricked by a thorn, but Allah expiates his sins because of that.” [ Bukhari/Muslim.Al-Ghazali said that ṣabr consisted of three parts: maʿrifa (the tree), ḥāl (branches) and ʿamal (the fruits). In addition to the above, Sabr was also classified as thus: "Sabr in time of afflictions, that is; to bear the bitterness of troubles and misfortunes..In this earthly life, humankind suffers various types and forms of calamities, that which will cause sorrow and depression, especially when such hardships and trials befall and touch large population and involves loss of life or property, or deprives them of food, shelter or clothing with dreadful loss of dear or near ones Patience is indeed important in today's Complex and Rapidly Changing Environment. The 21st century is characterized by rapid advancements in technology, globalization, and societal changes. Navigating this complex and ever-evolving landscape requires patience. It takes time to understand and adapt to new technologies, cultural shifts, and global challenges. Patience allows individuals to learn, grow, and adapt effectively. In today's digital age, we are constantly bombarded with vast amounts of information overload. It is essential to have patience to sift through this information, verify its credibility, and make informed decisions. Impulsively reacting to every piece of information can lead to hasty judgments and poor choices. Patience helps us take the time to analyze and process information accurately. Many significant achievements and advancements require time, effort, and persistence. Whether it's pursuing higher education, building a successful career, or making a positive impact in society, patience is vital. Progress often occurs gradually, and setbacks are common. Patience allows individuals to stay focused, persevere through challenges, and maintain a long-term perspective towards their goals. Building meaningful relationships are an essential aspect of life, be it personal or professional. In today's fast-paced world, genuine connections can suffer if we don't exercise patience. Meaningful relationships take time to develop, nurture, and deepen. Patience allows us to listen attentively, understand others' perspectives, and build trust over time.The modern world is filled with stressors, pressures, and instant gratification culture. Patience helps individuals manage their emotions effectively. Emotional well-being: enables us to pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. Developing patience can contribute to improved mental and emotional well-being, as it allows for greater self-control and resilience. In a rapidly changing and complex world, problem-solving and critical thinking skills are highly valuable. These skills often require patience to gather relevant information, analyse different perspectives, consider potential solutions, and make informed decisions. Patience allows for a more thorough and comprehensive approach. Overall, patience plays a crucial role in today's challenging world by facilitating adaptability, decision-making, goal achievement, relationship building, emotional well-being, and problem-solving. It empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with resilience and gracefulness. The life of this world is filled with tests, trials, and tribulations but these must be faced with patience and hope.One of the great results and precious fruits of this freedom and emancipation from servitude to the carnal self is patience in calamities and misfortunes. Allah gave you that you were supposed to use to please Him. Remember that those gifts are there so YOU find purpose. He wants to see how much you cherish these gifts. They’re not cheap and they’re not free. What pain caused by people are you willing to overcome to not let go of what Allah gave you? That will show to you and to your God what value His gifts hold in your heart. Don’t let the compassion that drives you to serve people be poisoned by their lack of appreciation or even their unjustified venom. (Author besides being a Medical Practitioner and is very active in positive perception management of various moral and social issues. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com & twitter @drfiazfazili) -- --