Many of us are overwhelmed with anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of life.  Things are really tough, but we have to get going striving to subdue the challenges of life. No matter what you are passing through right now, it is only a matter of time as the turbulent period will fizzle out soon.  There will always be worries, there will be thorns on your pathways, trials and tribulations, but we have to deal with them in order to get to our destination.

But have you really taken 30seconds break and ponder on the blessings of God in your life? The exercise will only result into one moment of conscious breath, as you get connected with Allah and  say:  ‘Alhamdulillah’. Every human is blessed. The point of departure is however in the degree and the different ways the blessings pour in.

This desire to acquire material possessions, which unfortunately, in some ways, validates our reason for doing what we are doing and as such, becomes the balm that soothes our troubled souls.

Human condition

We rush to acquire this or that. But yet even when we acquired them, we are not satisfied.  It is difficult for us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and further still, beyond the need to acquire possessions.  Life is but a transient pause on the way to eternity.  The life of this world is but a fleeting moment, sometimes overflowing with moments of great joy and happiness but at other times filled with sadness, sorrow, and despair.  This is the nature of life, and this is the human condition.

Right now, within your neighbourhood, within your estate, your environment, there are people living with pain and grief, or afflicted with hardship, they feel rudderless and abandoned. Huge waves threaten to engulf them and consume them in the next moment.  What can you do to salvage the situation? How else can you justify you are in this world for others, if you chose not to give them a helping hand? How do you want God to show love and care to you if you refused not to love and care for others? How will you account for the wealth, power and position, no matter the level God has given you?

“God has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” (Quran 5:9)

In Islam, the answer is remarkably simple.  We have to turn back to our Creator.  Allah knows the pain, the grief, despair, and the sadness.  Allah is whom we are reaching for in the darkness.  When we put God back on our agenda, the pain will subside.

Islam is not a religion filled with empty rituals and hypercritical rules and regulations.  We were created to worship God, do good to others.  However, God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom did not abandon us to this world filled with trials and tribulations.  He armed us with weapons- the Quran, and the hadiths.

Islam asks us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and further still, beyond the need to acquire possessions.  It reminds us that this life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting.  The life of this world is but a fleeting moment, sometimes overflowing with moments of great joy and happiness but at other times filled with sadness, sorrow, and despair.  This is the nature of life, and this is the human condition.

There are three key points that will allow the believer to free himself from the shackles of vagaries of life.  These are patience, gratitude, and trust in God.  In the Arabic language, sabr, shukr and tawwakul. These three go together for a perfect way that leads to righteousness.  We shall explain each of them insha Allah.  But first consider some of these verses of the Holy Quran.

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)

“Therefore, remember Me (God) and I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.” (Quran 2:152)

“If God helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you?  And in God (Alone) let believers put their trust.” (Quran 3:160)

Sabr – Patience:

There are many  verses on patience but let us consider this: And be patient and persevering, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (Q8: 46).

Sabr means restraining the self from agitation when confronted with undesirables. It means restraining the self from complaint about hidden anguish.

A schorlar once said: Sabr is to faith what the head is to the body. The body perishes without the head, and so also when Sabr goes, faith also disappears.

As long as a person feels inner anguish over the misfortunes and hardships of life, his faith in God  remains deficient. When a person achieves contentment and satisfaction under adverse conditions, his soul reaches a higher station of nearness to God.

If a person bears patiently with misfortunes and calamities for some time and seriously endures the hardships entailed during worship, rites and the bitterness arising from the renunciation of forbidden pleasures, and if all this is done for the sake of obedience to his Lord and Provider, it gradually becomes easy for him to bear with the hardships and difficulties. The soul of a patient person relinquishes its earlier uncontrolled state and he develops an enduring luminous faculty that raises him over the station of Sabr to reach other higher spiritual stations. Practicing Sabr while enjoining good and forbidding evil (amr bil ma’ruf wa nahi ‘anil munkar) makes a person more steadfast and firm.

When Imam Ali (a) was asked about faith (iman), he replied: The structure of faith is supported by four pillars: Patience (Sabr), Conviction (yaqin), Justice (‘adl) and Struggle (jihad). Then he explained further: Patience comprises of four attributes: Eagerness, fear, piety and anticipation (of death). So, whoever is eager for Paradise will ignore evil temptations; whoever fears the fire of Hell will abstain from sins; whoever practices piety will easily bear the difficulties and hardships of the life of this world and whoever anticipates death will hasten to perform good deeds.[Al-Amidi, Ghurar ul Hikam wa Durar ul Kalim, hadith # 2897]

The Kinds and Degrees of Sabr

There are various degrees and levels of Sabr as indicated by the noble traditionsand the reward and merit vary in accordance with degree and level.

Imam ‘Ali (a) said, “The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Sabr is of three kinds: Sabr at the time of affliction, Sabr in regard to obedience, and Sabr in regard to disobedience (of Allah). And the third one is superior to the first two kinds. [Al-Kulayni, al Kafi, vol. 2, bab al Sabr, hadith #15]

The reward of Sabr

Imam al-Sadiq (a) said: Whoever of the believers that bears patiently with a tribulation that befalls him, has the reward of a thousand martyrs.[Al-Kulayni, al Kafi, vol.2, bab al Sabr, hadith # 17]

Imam al-Sadiq (a) said: When the believer enters his grave, salat is on his right hand, zakat on his left, virtue faces him, with Sabr taking him under its shelter. When the two angels encharged with questioning enter upon him, Sabr says to salat, zakat and virtue, Take care of your companion, and if you fail to assist him I will take care of him myself.[Ibid, hadith # 8]

This world is a believer’s prison. Gather all the strength at your command and be patient and forbearing throughout its ups and downs. With courage and fortitude, stand against adversities and calamities.

Make yourself understand that the agitation and anguish inside you, aside from involving a great disgrace by themselves, are futile in confrontation with sufferings and calamities. Be happy with God and don’t complain about His irresistible decrees and inevitable ordainments. During the times of hardships, turn your heart’s attention to the focal point of Absolute Perfection (God) and you will witness its effects in this world itself and your heart will attain such an expanse that it will become the realm of the manifestation of God’s sovereignty.

Richness and contentment will then pervade your heart such that everything related to this world will become worthless in your eyes.

Sabr, forbearance and restraint bring fair, plentiful rewards and have sublime and beautiful forms in the world of purgatory.