Definition of Sabr (Patience)

The literal meaning of Sabr is to stop, remain firm, or refrain. It means keeping oneself steadfast in what reason and Islamic teachings require, or restraining oneself from what reason and Shariah require a person to avoid.

Basically, Sabr has two types:

1. Physical Patience – enduring physical hardship and remaining steadfast through it.
2. Patience Against Desires – controlling natural desires and resisting their demands.

The first type of patience is praiseworthy when it is in accordance with Shariah. However, the second type is the form of patience that is truly and completely worthy of praise.

(Information About the Deeds That Lead to Salvation, pp. 44–45)

Quranic Verse

Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ says in the Holy Quran:

(وَ اصْبِرُوْاؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَۚ(۴۶))
(Surah Al-Anfal 8:46)

Translation (Kanz-ul-Iman):

“And remain patient. Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.”

(Information About the Deeds That Lead to Salvation, p. 45)

Blessing for the Patient in the Hereafter (Hadith)

The Prophet of Mercy, the Intercessor of the Ummah صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم said that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ declares:

“When I test one of My servants through his body, wealth, or children, and he receives that trial with beautiful patience, I will feel shy on the Day of Judgment to set up the Scale for him or to open his record of deeds.”

(Information About the Deeds That Lead to Salvation, p. 45)

Different Rulings on Sabr (Patience)

According to Shariah, it is obligatory (Fard) to practice Sabr by staying away from the things that have been prohibited. It is recommended (Mustahab) to refrain from disliked acts that are not sinful. However, remaining silent over a harmful act that is prohibited by Shariah is not permissible.

For example, if a person’s hand or his son’s hand is unjustly cut off, it is not permissible for him to remain silent and simply endure it. Likewise, if someone approaches his family with evil intentions and he has the ability to stop him but remains silent and does nothing, such patience has been declared unlawful (Haram) by Shariah.[3]

The Best Form of Sabr (Sabr Jameel)

Sabr Jameel (Beautiful Patience) is the best form of patience. It is when a person facing a hardship is not recognized by others as being in distress, and his suffering does not become apparent to anyone.[4]

The Highest Level of Sabr

The highest level of Sabr is to remain patient when people cause you harm.

The Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم said:

“Maintain ties with the one who cuts ties with you, give to the one who deprives you, and forgive the one who wrongs you.”

Sayyiduna Isa رُوحُ اللہ عَلٰی نَبِیِّنَا وَعَلَیْہِ الصَّلٰوۃُ وَالسَّلَام said:

“I tell you not to repay evil with evil. Rather, if someone strikes you on one cheek, turn the other cheek towards him. If someone takes your cloak, offer him your waistcloth as well. And if someone forces you to walk one mile with him, walk two miles.”

All of these teachings instruct us to remain patient when facing hardships, and this is the highest level of Sabr.[5]

(Information About the Deeds That Lead to Salvation, pp. 45–46)

Seven (7) Ways to Develop the Habit of Sabr (Patience)

1. Study the Virtues of Sabr

When the virtues of a good deed are known, it becomes easier to practice it. Sabr is an inner quality whose virtues are mentioned frequently in the Quran and Hadith.

To learn about the meaning, types, Quranic verses, virtues, and detailed narrations regarding Sabr, it is beneficial to read the books published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, including Ihya-ul-Uloom (Volume 4), Faizan-e-Riyad-us-Saliheen (Volume 1), Mukashafat-ul-Quloob, Minhaj-ul-Abideen, and Jannat Mein Le Janay Walay Aamaal.

2. Pray to Allah for Sabr

Dua is the weapon of a believer. If a believer does not use this weapon, then the dangerous enemies, the Nafs and Shaytan, continue to attack him. As a result, instead of showing patience and gratitude during hardships, a person may fall into undesirable actions such as impatience and ingratitude.

3. Develop Humility Within Yourself

One reason for becoming impatient or seeking revenge when harmed by others is arrogance. When a person develops humility and modesty, the desire for revenge begins to disappear. This helps him remain patient when people cause him harm, and by the mercy of Allah, he will be rewarded for his patience. In Sha Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

4. Avoid Being Hasty

Many situations in life cause people to lose patience because of haste. In many cases, acting too quickly also leads to serious loss. Therefore, try to remove the habit of haste and deal with matters patiently.

5. Make Forgiveness a Habit

When someone hurts us, the Nafs encourages us to take revenge. The opposite of this is forgiveness. When a person develops the habit of forgiving others, patience naturally becomes easier whenever he faces harm or difficulty.

6. Look for Blessings During Hardships

This was the practice of the pious predecessors, and it greatly helps in developing patience. Every hardship contains some hidden blessing.

Sometimes a small hardship protects a person from a greater one. At times, a hardship becomes an expiation for sins. Hardships may also raise a person’s rank, and worldly difficulties can become a means of protection from the hardships of the Hereafter.

Without doubt, all of these are great blessings from Allah that remain hidden within hardships.

Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar Farooq-e-Azam رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ said:

“Whenever Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ tested me with a hardship, it contained four blessings for me: (1) the trial did not affect my religion, (2) a greater hardship did not occur, (3) I was not deprived of being pleased with Allah’s decree, and (4) I remained hopeful for its reward.”[6]

7. Look at Those Facing Greater Hardships

When a person is tested with a hardship, he often feels that no one else has suffered as much as he has. This feeling can sometimes lead to impatience.

When he looks at someone facing a greater hardship than his own, he becomes thankful to Allah, and he is blessed with the ability to remain patient. In Sha Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

(Information About the Deeds That Lead to Salvation, pp. 47–49)