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Friday Talks |
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148 |
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Examples of the prophet’s patience (Endurance & tolerance)
Written by: Omar Kadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.
19th Thul-Hijjah 1431
26th November 2010
Importance of patience
It is for the great status of the quality or character of patience (or endurance and tolerance) that it was one of Allah’s names [The Most Tolerant]. As Imam Ahmed said; the Koran urged and recommended patience 90 times. For a Muslim, patience is a necessary quality to have for this life and for the religious faith.
Allah says: {We created man to be in a struggle}. That is a struggle with difficulties, with pains and with the entire life’s problems, a struggle with all the coming aches and calamities and a struggle with the taking away of riches and mercies, or with the loss of loved ones. We are exposed to some sort of a problem almost everyday of our lives. Imam Ali described this life by saying: “how one could describes a life which starts with crying, and goes on with a struggle, and it ends with demise”. The messenger ppbu said: {if this entire life had as much value as the weight of a mosquito’s wing, then Allah would not have given to an unbeliever from it as much as a mouth full of drink}. No, it is not worth that much as far as Allah is concerned. That is why unbelievers, sinners, criminals and aggressors are allowed to enjoy it. Allah says: {and if not for that all people would all be on the same grouping, (that is all being unbelievers and misguided) then we would have given to those who are unbelievers ceilings of silver and high towers upon which they assemble}. That would be too much temptation for many of Allah’s slaves and that’s the reason why he did not give all that to the unbelievers.
The believer is prone to be tested
A character of this life is being a place of struggle and a place of testing through troubles. A faithful individual must get himself/herself used to being patient. Patience is necessary for all humans, and especially for believers. People of faith are more prone to being inflicted with troubles and calamities in their property, and in themselves and in their loved ones. Allah says: {assuredly you will be tried in your money (property) and your person and you shall hear much wrong from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associated others with Allah (the idolaters), but if you preserver and be patient and fear Allah then that is one of the tremendous matters} 3:186. That is Allah’s laws in this life that the people of evil are always after the people of faith. Allah had Abeles (Satan) for Adam and Nimrod for Prophet Abraham; and Faro for Prophet Moses, and Aba-Jahl for Prophet Muhammad.
The messenger ppbu said: {the most tested or tried people are the prophets then those who are more like them and so on..}. Allah says: {or did you think that you will enter paradise while yet there has not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them; they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When does Allah's help and support come?} 2:214. yes, paradise is a valuable commodity, and it has a high price, and a price that was paid by many of those before us. You must endure troubles in property and in money and in health and security.
The prophet’s patience over types of troubles
Patience is of many types. You may be afflicted with a sickness which can take away your health, or a loss in your money, or a loss of a loved one. You must be patient upon your affliction. There is also endurance in abstaining from an enjoyable temptation that involves disobedience towards Allah. Yet you hold off it in fear of Allah’s punishment and in expectation for His reward.
Prophet Ayoub was patient over the affliction he had in his body and in his loved ones or family. Prophet Joseph was patient in holding off against the temptation offered by a woman who was in charge of his affairs; despite that he was a young, unmarried and a stranger and an unknown man. She then tried the threat of imprisonment and he still held off. Prophet Joseph was an example in patience and endurance because he tolerated the devious scheming of his brothers and their envy towards him and the affliction they caused him. He was patient when he worked as a servant; and patient when his employer tempted him by offering her self to him. Then he was patient at the false accusation directed at him and for which he was falsely imprisoned. For years he was patient and Allah rewarded him by giving him authority and power in the land. Allah always rewards those who are patient and who are God fearing.
The patience of Prophet Muhammad ppbu
The master of all patients is prophet Muhammad ppbu.
Allah says: { be patient as did those with the resolve of the messengers, and do not rush things for them},
Allah says: { have beautiful patience}.
Allah says: { be patient, Allah’s promise is true, and don’t be belittled by those who have no certainty}
Allah says: { and be patient, and your patience is with Allah, and do not be saddened over them, and do not be disheartened by what they deviously scheme}
Early Muslims were afflicted with major problems in Mecca at the early days of Islam. When the messenger ppbu passed by Yaser’s family when they were being tortured by the people of Quraish and he was unable to do anything for them he said to them: {be patient people of Yaser, for you have an appointment with paradise}.
Muslims where boycotted in Mecca for three years up to the point that they ate leafs off the trees. They were tortured for thirteen years. Khebab ebn Ert (ÎÈÇÈ Èä ÇáÃÑÊ) came complaining to the messenger ppbu from His master lady who used to burn his skin in order to force him to denounce Islam. He said: “Messenger of Allah, would you not ask Allah to give us victory”. Even at that condition he still was asking with respect. He wasn’t ordering the messenger to ask Allah. Many of the early Muslims were killed and some did actually denounce Islam. Allah says: {except for those who are forced but within their heart they are at peace and contentment in faith} 16:106. The messenger ppbu said: {those before you used to take the man and dig a hole in the ground and have him placed into it. His head was cut with a saw into two, and metal teeth are used to separate the flesh off the bones. All that would not hold them off their faith. By Allah, He shall fulfil this faith up to the point where a traveller from Sanaa (in Yemen) would travel to Hadramote with no fear in his heart except the fear of Allah, and the fear of a wolf attacking his cheep, just don’t hurry things up}. The messenger ppbu is telling you to be careful and not to let anything takes you off your faith.
Effects of lack of patience on the individual Muslim
What we see today in our Islamic societies in the west that some people have left their faith under materialistic and psychological pressures. Facing lack of money or abundance of money, and facing temptation of the western culture with its glamour and what it offers of available alcohol and women and other attractions. There are those Muslims who do not completely leave Islam to another faith, but leave some of the Islamic values and rulings. That is the individual has lost his patience and a lot of his faith. Other people when they become a victim of aggression resort to personal revenge and personal retribution. That has got nothing to do with faith, because it is personal. When Islam allowed retribution; it controlled it by forbidding doing wrong against this that does the wrong. The messenger ppbu said: {Give back what you are entrusted with to this who entrusted you, and do not betray this who betrayed you}. You are not permitted to lie to this that lies to you. And this who unrightfully attacks your honour, you are not permitted to attack his. And this who slanders you, you are not permitted to slander him back. And this who wrongs you, you are not permitted to wrong them back. And this who betrays you, you are not permitted to betray them. These are some of the great Islamic values and good morals. When a Muslim gets involved into this revenge and winning for him self through what Islam does not permit then he/she has given up some of the Islamic values and rules.
Be patient, for Allah has prearranged all events. Ask Allah with a truthful heart believing that what Allah delays for you is better. And what Allah brings sooner is also good. And what Allah assigns for the end is good. Allah says: {and you may hate something and yet it is good for you. And you may love something and it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know} 2:216.
Dear brothers; patience is the key to all good. We ought to stick to being patient, and hold our selves from all temptations despite what we may dislike. That alone is an elevated worship, and a higher status, and one of the best Godly morals. It is a moral of the faithful and a moral of the messengers. Obey Allah despite the fact that Allah tests us with plights and difficulties, and obey Allah by staying off sins.
I ask Allah for forgiveness, you too ask Him for forgiveness, He is the most forgiving, the Most merciful. No strength and no power except through Allah and with Allah the Most Elevated the Almighty.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
