muslimah-at-sunset2The Definition of Patience

'Sabr' is an Arabic word which comes from a root meaning to detain, refrain and stop. There is an expression in Arabic, "so-and-so was killed sabran," which means that he was captured and detained until he died.


What Scholars have Said about Patience


Abu 'Uthman said:

"The one who has patience is the one who has trained himself to handle difficulties."

'Amr ibn 'Uthman al-Makki said:


Al-Khawwas said:

"Patience means to adhere to the rules of the Qur'an and Sunnah."

Another scholar said:

"Patience means to refrain from complaining."

Ali ibn Abi Talib said:

"Patience means to seek Allah's help."


Abu Muhammad al-Hariri said:


I (Ibn Al-Qayyim) say:


As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said in his well-known supplication: "If You are not angry with me, then I do not care what happens to me, but still I would rather have Your blessings and favour." This does not contradict the hadith which says, "No-one has ever been given a better gift than patience," because that refers to after a test or trial has befallen a person. But ease is still better.

Patience and Shakwah (complaint)

Shakwah (complaint) falls into two categories:

The first type means to complain to Allah, and this does not contradict patience. It is demonstrated by several of the Prophets, for example, when Ya'qub ('alayhis-salaam) said:

"I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah." (Yusuf, 12: 86).

Earlier, Ya'qub ('alayhis-salaam) had said "sabrun jameel"which means "patience is most fitting for me."The Qur'an also tells us about Ayyub ('alayhis-salaam):

"And (remember) Ayyub (Job), when he cried to his Lord, 'Truly distress has seized me." (Al-Anbiya 21:83).

The epitome of patience, the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed to his Lord: "O Allah, I complain to You of my weakness and helplessness."

Musa ('alayhis-salaam) prayed to Allah, saying:



Opposing forces

Psychologically speaking, every person has two forces at work within him or her. One is the "driving force", which pushes him towards some actions, and the other is the "restraining force", which holds him back from others. Patience essentially harnesses the driving force to push us towards good things, and the restraining force to hold us back from actions that may be harmful to ourselves or others. Some people have strong patience when it comes to doing what is good for them, but their patience is weak with regard to restraint from harmful actions, so we may find that a person has enough patience to perform acts of worship (e.g. Salaah, Sawm (Fasting), Hajj), but has no patience in controlling himself and refraining from following his whims and desires, and in this way he may commit Haraam (Impermissible) deeds.



Further Definition of Patience

A scholar said:

"To have patience means that one's common sense and religious motives are stronger than one's whims and desires."


Patience has many other names, according to the situation.


If it consists of controlling one's stomach, it is called self-control, the opposite of which is greed.


If it consists of being content with what is sufficient for one's needs, it is called abstemiousness, the opposite of which is covetousness.

If it consists of controlling one's anger, then it is called forbearance, the opposite of which is impulsiveness and hasty reaction.






If it consists of refraining from blaming and accusing other people, then it is called chivalry {muroo'ah literally "manliness").


This shows that Islam in its totality is based on patience.


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