Khutbah:

Patience

By Omar Tarhuni

 A-úthú billáhi minash shaytánir rajím.      Bismilláhir Rahmánir Rahím!

[Arabic du'á]

"By the token of Time [through the ages]; Verily Man is in loss, Except those have faith

and do righteous deeds, and join together In the mutual teaching of Truth and of patience."

In the intricate paths of life when difficulties and hardships confront a man, and the darkness of adversities and suffering become long, it is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim. It is patience that keeps him safe from wandering here and there, and saves him from disappointment, depression and frustration.

Patience is such a basic quality that a Muslim needs to shape his life in this world and the next. On this basis he should attend to all his work. He should make it a torch light for guiding his way, otherwise, he will be defeated in the field of life.

A Muslim should prepare him self to tolerate the hardships and difficulties. He should not cry out or raise hell. He should not sit waiting for the results, however late they may take. He should not run away from responsibilities, whatever they may be. No doubts and misgivings, No hardship or trouble should prompt his intellect to indulge in panic or violence.

He should have a plenty of confidence in Allah and him self. He should not be frightened by the dark clouds appearing on the horizon of life, even if they may be appearing continually. No he should be fully sure that these clouds and adversities and hardships will disappear, and the clear and bright atmosphere of success and glory will appear again.

Wisdom and far-sightedness demand that the bright end be awaited

with patience and convection. Allah has stressed this point sufficiently that no man can escape tests and trials, so that man may be alert and ready at the time when these hardships and difficulties descend on him. He should not be frightened by these heavenly and earthly tribulations, and need not be disappointed and disheartened.

" And We shall try you until We test

those among you who strive their

utmost and preserve in patience.".(47/31)

You shall certainly be tried and tested

in your possessions and your selves,

and you 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 you persevere patiently and guide

against evil - then that will be a determining

factor in all affairs. (3/186)

The patience that is demanded by Allah relies on two important facts or realities. The first of these facts is related to the nature of this life. Allah did not make this life a house of eternity or of final reward, but He has made it a house of trials. We read in Surat Al Kahf:

We have made that which is on earth

as an adoration for it. In order that

We may test them as to which of them

is best in deeds.

We read also in Surat Al Mulk:

Blessed be He in whose Hand is the Dominion

and He over all things has power

Who has created death and life, that

He may test you which of you is best in deeds.

The time that a man spends in this world is really a time for unending experience. He comes out of one trial in order to undergo another trial which may be harder and different from the previous one.. We see that man is tested once by one thing and again by its opposite, as iron is first heated in the fire and then put in the water. Similarly man is tested by favorable as well as opposing means. Yes .. you can be tested by fortune and wealth as well as misfortune and hardships. Sulaiman was aware of the nature of this life when he was blessed with a grand and magnificent power and empire. He said :

This is by the grace of my Lord to

test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful.

He who is grateful is for his own soul and whoever

is ungrateful, my Lord is truly Free of all needs,

supreme in Honor. (27/40)

The trials of this life are not words that can be written or statements made . These trials are the pains and the suffering that overwhelms man soul and confront him with hardships and frustration. These trials are real situations that a man faces on the path of life, which show his real character and what he is made off. It shows the depth of his faith and the degree of his reliance on his Lord and creator.

A true believer is ever grateful when he is blessed with a grace and patient when he is tested but in any case he is always thankful of Allah and aware of His blessings and gifts which must not be obscured by a hardship or problem. He worships Allah In good times and in bad time as well. He is not like those described in the Quran where it says:

There are among men some who worship Allah

As it were, on the verge(in doubt).

If good befalls him, he is content therewith,

but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face.

He losses both this world and the Hereafter.

That is the evident loss.(22/11)

These trials are also the name of the tyrannies and injustice that our Ummah is experiencing every were and the blood and sacrifices offered by many Muslims in many parts of the world.

The second fact or reality is concerned with the nature of faith.

Faith, as you know , is the name of the relationship between man and his Lord. As in other relationships like love or friendship, the bound of friendship and sincerity can only be judged when it is confronted with unfavorable conditions and different kinds of problems. At such time a man's real worth and sincerity is known. The case is exactly the same when it comes to faith. To find out the truth and sincerity about faith it is necessary that a Muslim be tried and tested. in this respect the Quran says:

Do men think that they will

be left alone on saying " we believe"

and that they will not be tested.

We did test those before them

And Allah will certainly know those

who are true and those who are false.

(29/2.3)

Undoubtedly, Allah 's knowledge covers all manifest and concealed matters, and from His tests and trials there will be no addition to His knowledge, because He knows all the condition from the beginning till the end. The reckoning of man is made on the bases of his own personal deeds , therefore, the proper and just retribution of all non believers, the Mushrekken and the criminals necessitate that all their misdeeds be placed before them. In other words, the proof and the evidence against them has to be established on the bases of their own deeds which were exposed by these tests and trials.

On these two facts, the nature of this life and faith, patience stands,

and for this reason it is demanded by religion. Patience is an indication of maturity and a sign of good superiority and greatness. One of the Great names of Allah is As Sabour, The Patient. He is Patient with His creators who sin and does not rush or hasten to punish them. He is patient with His creation .His destinies work over long time and according to His wishes only and not in response to boiling emotional feelings and outbursts of desires and whims.

Patience is no doubt an element of a strong and mature character. We see this very clearly in prophets and great people who faced and accepted difficulties and hardships with faith and confidence in Allah and His Wisdom and Mercy. The Prophet SAW was told by His Lord:

(O Mohammed) So bear with patience

and your patience is only because of Allah

and do not grieve over them nor feel distressed

by their evil plans.. For surely Allah is with

those who hold Him in fear and do good.

[du'á in Arabic]

Ameen! Aqeemus Salaah!

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