Author: Azra Pervez

Sabr is usually translated as patience. We are all familiar with this word and we are quick to advise others to have sabr when they face any difficulties in life. But if we are faced with a similar situation, then we realize how difficult it is to have sabr. From Quran and sunnah we know that if a person fulfills the conditions of sabr, then his or her reward is far-reaching: Allah is with those who have sabr (2:153); with sabr one can attain to a happy state (3:200); Allah provides succor to those with sabr (6:34); understanding the Signs of Allah depends upon sabr (31:31); Allah loves those with sabr (3:146); leadership is conditional upon having sabr (32:24); those who practice sabr will receive a reward without measure (39:10); and finally, the ultimate reward for sabr is Jannah (13:24). Sabr is not only to be patient in hardship, but it is also to restrain ourselves from any haram, disobedient, or harmful action, and to persevere with unwavering resoluteness to fulfill all of our obligations.

As Muslims, our lives should pivot on sabr and shukr.

As Muslims, our lives should pivot on sabr and shukr. According to a hadith related by Abu Yaha Suhaib bin Siman (RA), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “How excellent is the case of a faithful servant — there is good for him in everything and this not the case with anyone except him. If prosperity attends him, he expresses shukr (gratitude) to Allah (SWT) and that is good for him. If adversity falls on him, he endures it patiently (with sabr) and that is good for him” (Muslim). Our lives are the combination of prosperities and adversities. If we practice shukr and sabr, then our daily living becomes an ibadah, and our accounts from this dunya will be full of rewards with which we can gain Jannah on the Day of Judgment, insha’Allah.

Allah (SWT) has blessed us with this life, and further blessed us with knowledge of the various rules and regulations which lead to a life of goodness. These guidelines are conveyed to us by the Prophets (peace be upon them). Allah is watching all His creations as He tests us to measure our faith and its characteristics that must be expressed in word and deed, including that of patience. In Surah Baqarah, Allah (SWT) says, “And surely, We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the patient” (2:155). As we ponder this verse, we take note of all the calamities around us and should think deeply about the kind of behavior Allah (SWT) wants from us — to be patient and steadfast. If we do that then Allah (SWT) promises us that through our patient endurance, relief, ease, and success will be yielded; insha’Allah, if not in this dunya then in the akhira.

Even when we experience the death of a loved one, we are instructed to fulfill the conditions of sabr. On the occasion of the death of the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), when the child was brought to him taking his last few breaths, the eyes of the Prophet (pbuh) overflowed with tears. Sa’d bin Ubaida asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is this?” The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “It is the mercy which Allah (SWT) has bestowed in the hearts of his servants, and Allah (SWT) is merciful to only those of His servants who are merciful to others” (agreed upon; this is part of the hadith narrated by Usama bin Zaid). In fact, tears of grief are natural, expected, and permissible; but excessive overreactions such as loud, complaining grief, pulling of hair, or tearing at one’s clothing are not permissible.

Whenever anyone faces an adversity, as time passes he or she comes to accept it. But genuine sabr is not the gradual and passive resignation about a loss that comes with the healing of time. True sabr is active and intentional in the moment of loss. The following hadith narrated by Anas (RA) explains this well. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) was passing by a woman who was weeping near a grave and said, “Fear Allah and be patient.” She replied, “Go away from me! My calamity has not befallen you and you are unaware of it.” The woman was later told that this was the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Therefore, she came to the house of the Prophet (pbuh) where she found no doorkeeper. She said, “O Prophet of Allah, I was unaware [that it was] you [passing by her at the grave].” The Prophet (pbuh) then said, “Patience is only at the first [stroke] of grief” (agreed upon).

Brothers and sisters, that quality of sabr is a challenge for us, but we believe in Quran and sunnah through which we are continuously given glad tidings of sabr’s reward in Jannah. In Surah Hud, Allah (SWT) says, “And be patient, verily Allah (SWT) loses not the reward of good doers” (11:115). And we are provided with the best models of this trait, as sabr is a prophetic tradition. Quran is full of examples of the patience of Ibrahim, Ismaeel, Yaqoob, Yusuf, Ayyub, Younus, Nuh, Lut, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). We must observe how they were struck by various adversities and how they remained patient. We can learn profound lessons from how they dealt with their challenges. And in our own lives, faith and patience can mitigate or even cure psychological disturbances like anxiety and depression.

If we take time to really reflect on the Islamic teachings about sabr, it will be easier for us to practice it. Abu Sa’id (RA) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even with mental worry, that his sins are not expiated from him” (agreed upon). And the following hadith demonstrates how beautifully the Prophet (pbuh) puts in proper, positive perspective the issue of suffering so that we are motivated to face hardship with sabr. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Anyone for whom Allah (SWT) intends good, is made to suffer from some affliction.”

If we believe that Quran is shifa (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual healing) then we must also be willing to utilize whatever is prescribed and implement the treatment protocol. Thus, in the following verse, we are given the prescription and the action plan for those times we are tested with difficulty or adversity: “Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except for those who are humble in spirit, who know with certainty that they shall meet their Sustainer and that unto Him they shall return” (Quran 2:45-46).

Let us pray sincerely to Allah (SWT) at all times, make du’a of yearning for His help when we need it, and patiently wait for His succor. Allah (SWT) promises in Surah Ash-Sharh, “So verily with hardship, there is relief. Verily with hardship, there is relief” (94:5-6). May Allah (SWT) guide us, grant us wisdom, and facilitate us in our striving to practice shukr and sabr no matter our circumstance. Ameen.

As Muslims, it is our foremost duty to say shukr to Allah (SWT) for all of His blessings. It is helpful, therefore, to know in a deeper way what shukr is. We can describe three levels of thankfulness or gratitude:

1. Shukr bil qalb: to realize and appreciate all blessings by and within the heart.
2. Shukr bil lisaan: to say thanks with the tongue.
3. Skukr bil jawarah: To express gratitude by doing righteous deeds.

In other words, the first level is the appreciativeness and gratefulness that we feel in our hearts. Then we fortify that thankfulness through our speech. And the third level is when we prove by our deeds that we are truly thankful to Allah (SWT).

In Surah Rahman, Allah (SWT) asks us the same question thirty-one times, “Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?”

As we open the Quran, the first surah starts with Alhamdulillah which is generally translated as “all praise is for Allah (SWT).” In reality, the word Alhamdulillah is the kalima-e-shukr in our everyday life. It’s for this reason that when someone asks us how we are, we respond with “Alhamdulillah.” When we wake up in the morning, according to sunnah, we are encouraged to say, “All praise is for Allah (SWT) who gives us life after our death and towards him we return.” We recite this du’a to give thanks to Allah (SWT) for He granted us one more day to struggle for our Akhira. Quran tells us that sleep is a temporary death as Allah (SWT) takes our souls while we sleep. He then returns some of the souls, and others He holds according to His Will. Therefore, as we wake up, we must be thankful to Him.

When we finish our meals, we should say, “All praise to Allah SWT who gives food and water, and makes us Muslim.” Here, we thank Him for all provisions He has blessed us with. Similarly, after drinking water, we are supposed to say Alhamdulillah. This highlights that if we are following Quran and Sunnah then our entire life revolves around shukr.

In Surah Rahman, Allah (SWT) asks us the same question thirty-one times, “Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” Allah (SWT) has created us and then made this dunya for us. We are getting benefits from all of His creations such as the sun, moon, clouds, rain, air, grasslands, rivers, oceans and countless other bounties of the natural world! After realizing all this abundance, how can a sensible person be anything but thankful to Allah (SWT).

Allah SWT reminds us, “The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell in them give glory to Him. There is not a single thing that is not chanting His praise yet you cannot understand their praise. He is ever forbearing, forgiving” (Quran, 17:44). Ironically, we humans are the only ones who forget to be grateful to Him. Allah (SWT) ends the above verse by emphasizing that He is forgiving. It’s for this reason that we are not punished right away. Rather He gives us time to realize our mistakes and make amends.

Naturally, at times we may wonder who the real beneficiary of the gratitude we show to Allah (SWT) is. In Surah Ibrahim, Allah (SWT) answers, “If you are thankful I will add more (favors) unto you but if you show ingratitude then my punishment is terrible indeed” (14:7). This verse proves that our shukr is beneficial for us alone, and our ingratitude is harmful to us alone. The intelligent individuals who comprehend this basic teaching of Islam are referred to as ulul albab (those who are wise, who possess a mature and comprehending intellect).

Allah (SWT) gives us an example, “And verily we gave Luqman wisdom saying ‘Be grateful to Allah.’ And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] – then indeed, Allah is free of need and Praiseworthy“ (Quran, 31:12). Luqman is recognized with the title of “The wise” just because he is thankful to Allah (SWT). Luqman recognizes that Allah (SWT) is the one who grants everything so therefore He is the One who deserves shukr. May Allah (SWT) give us wisdom to give thanks for all blessings by which we survive and thrive day after day.

Ibrahim (AS) describes Allah’s blessings in the most beautiful way: “…Who created me, and He [it is who] guides me. And it is He who feeds me and gives me drink; and when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and who will cause me to die and then bring me to life; and who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of Judgment.” (Quran 26:78-85). All of us can make this or similar du’a, but if we want our du’as to be accepted then we must strive to be as dedicated and as thankful as Ibrahim (AS) was.

As a true guide, the Quran gives us multiple examples of supplications that express gratitude and ask Allah SWT to facilitate our thankfulness. We can make du’a to Allah SWT with the beautiful words of Sulaiman (AS). In Surah Namal, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.” (Quran 27:19)

The Quran is full of verses which invite us to follow the straight path, distinguishing between truth and falsehood. There are rewards for the grateful servants, and punishments for the ungrateful human beings. Allah (SWT) and His messengers show us the way of Ar-Rahman (The All-Merciful) and warn us to avoid the way of Shaitaan. He has given us the ability to discern right from wrong; therefore, the choice is ours! Do we want to be part of the righteous or the misguided people?

In surah Nisa, Allah (SWT) asks us a simple question: “Why should Allah punish you if you give thanks to Him, and truly believe in Him? It is Allah that is recognizer [of all your good actions] and knower [of all things] (Quran, 4:147). Allah (SWT) loves us 70 times more than our mother. He is the one who sent 124,000 messengers and numerous holy books to guide us. Now, it is our job to understand our religion and follow it. In the above verse, Allah (SWT) mentions shukr first and then eman. Similarly, the first surah of the Quran gives us a lesson on shukr, and the second surah invites us towards eman. Allah (SWT) is emphasizing that eman can only come once we are thankful to Him. Therefore, shukr guides us to the path of eman.

May Allah SWT give us the taufeeq to have shukr bil qalb, shukr bil lissan and shukr bil jawarah. Ameen.