Patience is the capacity or habit of enduring evil, adversity, distress, injustice, hardship or pain with fortitude. It is the strength or firmness of mind that enables a believer to encounter danger with coolness and courage or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency convinced that God Almighty will come to the rescue. "So wait with patience for the Command of thy Lord …" (68/48)
Abiding by the divine law also requires firmness and steadfastness and self-restraint, to be able to put up with mishaps and misfortunes and to put up a bold front against a bout of sickness, adverse fortunes, wrongs and injuries requires patience and heroic qualities. The Qur'an advises us to recommend also to others these qualities one enjoys.
GOD LOVES THE FIRM AND THE STEADFAST
… Allah Loves those who are firm and steadfast. (3/146)
… Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (2/153)
Forbearance and endurance are qualifications favored by God who does not refuse their prayer whenever they are in a difficulty.
PROPHETS WERE FIRM AND STEADFAST PEOPLE
And (remember) Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience; We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones. (21/85-86)
Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) apostles of inflexible purpose … (46/35)
Patience is one of the greatest gifts endowed by God. One of the distinctive characteristics of the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an is their firmness and steadfastness. They were great souls that endured all sorts of calamities with firmness and fortitude.
TILL GOD DECIDES
Follow thou the inspiration sent unto thee, and be patient and constant, till Allah do decide: for He is the best to decide. (10/109)
… and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah.fearing. (2/177)
O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other … (3/200)
The strength or firmness of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency is synonymous with patience. The person convinced that whatever happens to a man has its origin in God knows how to show forbearance; this will contribute to his maturing process. Those who remain firm and steadfast will eventually be rewarded by the Almighty.
All sorts of disasters, devastation, sickness, disability, poverty and worry must be put up with without demur. The evil inclinations of one's nafs (self) must be subdued and the divine law must be obeyed at all cost. Firmness and steadfastness are two golden qualities that will eventually lead one to success.
YOU SHALL BE TRIED
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere (2/155)
Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. (3/186)
Man is fated to meet many a hardship, amongst others, loss of lives and property; threat of death, sickness, war, famine; fear of deprivation, a series of poor harvests, spiritual and material worries are meant to test our unshakeable faith. Believers put up with all sorts of calamities with resignation. "Who say, when afflicted with calamity: To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return" (2/156) The souls that have matured react with equanimity in defiance of all outward circumstances. The believer is convinced that whatever happens in this world has its reward or punishment in the next one.
THE FIRM AND THE STEADFAST WILL ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THE END
… So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous. (11/49)
Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever). (23/11)
Let the transitional state of atheists, the cruel and the proud not deceive you; for they will end up in the bottomless pit:" Let not the strutting about of the Unbelievers through the land deceive thee: Little is it for enjoyment: Their ultimate abode is Hell: what an evil bed (To lie on)!" (3/196-197) The reward of those who abide by the injunctions of the Qur'an will be bliss and victory. Therefore, do not be deceived by the ostentatious lifestyle of the disbelievers.
Those that resign themselves to God without any reservation, shall be rewarded; they shall be saved and be among the inmates of the paradise.
ASK GOD'S AID BY STEADFAST PRAYER
O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (2/153)
Rejected were the apostles before thee: with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them: (6/34)
And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah. nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots. (16/127)
Execution of divine commandments requires a considerable amount of effort. One has to fight his innate inclinations and subdue them. Firmness and steadfastness are required to wear the laurels of victory. God recommends patience and perseverance in asking His help. O Prophet of mine! Before you there have been prophets who had been denied and tortured, but they had known how to remain firm and steadfast. But God's aid had not tarried to come in time.
RECOMMEND OTHERS FIRMNESS AND STEADFASTNESS
Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. (90/17)
By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. (103/1-3)
It is not enough for a believer to be firm and steadfast; he must also recommend such behavior to others.
THE RESIGNED