PATIENCE

Calamities are the foundation on which the higher spiritual quality of patience is developed. Consequently, it is not surprising to find that the righteous are subject to many tragedies and difficulties in their lives. Sa‘d reported that he asked the Prophet (PBUH) who among mankind had the most trials and he replied, “The prophets, then those most like them and then those most like them. Man is tested according to the level of his faith. If his faith is firm, his trials increase in severity, and if there is weakness in his faith, he will be tried accordingly.” Authenticated in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmithee¸vol.2, p.286, no. 1956. True patience is the product of complete trust in God at the time of calamity. Trust in one’s Lord is an important aspect of worship and the natural consequence of real faith. Since belief in Allaah means accepting that nothing takes place in the universe without His permission, then only Allaah deserves humankind’s complete trust. For, it is only God’s promise which is never broken. No matter how righteous a human being may be, he or she is capable of error. Humans will always let each other down due to their erring nature.