Saturday 27 January 2007

3.2, Patience and Perseverance (Khutbah)

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) reported: I can still recall as if I am seeing the Messenger of Allah (SAW) resembling one of the Prophets whose people scourged him and shed his blood. While he wiped blood from his face, he said: “O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith mentions the refined character and compassion of the prophets, which is an important lesson for those who preach righteousness. We should be prepared to face hardships in inviting people to the right path and, instead of retaliation, forgive our audience and pray for their guidance.

Further, any hardship that we do face, in any aspect of life, we should remember the words of Allah’s Messenger, “Never is a believer stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Such is the special Grace and Mercy of Allah: The hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim are turned into a means of expiation (atonement) for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. If, on the other hand, he starts cursing and swearing instead of showing patience then besides suffering hardship, he would also be deprived of the reward which lies in bearing it patiently. Thus, on top of the hardship he faces he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also. This is also an indirect reason why we must make our tongues moist with the remembrance of Allah; constantly reciting Qur’an and saying words like “Alhumdulillah” and “Subhaana-Allah”. So that when something goes wrong, instead of instinctively responding with a curse or a swear word, we respond with a better response, which is the praise and glorification of Allah.

I end by reminding myself and those before me that difficulties in the path of Faith are irrespective of time and place. People devoted to their religion have passed through trials and tribulations everywhere and in every age, and have emerged purified as does the gold after passing through the furnace.

3.1, Patience and Perseverance (Khutbah)

Allah, the Glorified and Exalted says in the Qur’an, “O you who believe! Endure and be more patient…” (3:200)

In another place, Allah says, “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruit, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient).” (2:155)

Further, Allah says, “Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)

And Allah says, “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

And Allah says, “Seek help in patience and As-Salaat (the prayer) Truly, Allah is with As-Saabiroon (the patient).” (2:153)

And if you open the pages of the Qur’an you will find no shortage of verses calling to patience and highly praising it. After all, patience is that strong weapon which provides the Muslim with steadfastness in every aspect of his life.

What about the sayings and actions of Allah’s Messenger (SAW)? Again, the reminders and examples are numerous; however, time will only allow us to go through a few.

To begin, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim)

A Muslim is required to behave in poverty and prosperity, ease and hardship, in the manner stated in this Hadith. It means not to forget Allah in times of prosperity and ease; rather to be continually grateful and thank Him for His Favours. Similarly, not to tend to weeping, complaining and grieving against the Will of Allah in times of trouble and turmoil; rather to patiently endure it. For example, at the time of death it is permissible to express the trouble and restlessness which one feels in a natural way. However, to begin wailing, moaning and tearing off clothes is not right.

The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah, the Exalted says: ‘I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world’.” (Al-Bukhari)

It is a great sign of faith to accept the death of someone dear to us as the Will of Allah; to bear their loss with patience. After all, wailing and saying nonsense things shows weakness of faith. The reward of patience on such tragedies is Jannah while the result of impatience is the displeasure of Allah.

As for death itself, none of us should forget the advice of the Messenger of Allah, “Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say, ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me’.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Since we have no knowledge of our future, whether it is good or bad, we should never desire for death because of the troubles and turmoil that we find ourselves in. This is because desire for death is sheer impatience. If, however, one has to express wish for his own death, he should do so in the words quoted in this Hadith.