Practicing patience is as important in the good times as it is in the tough times. And we will only have patience in the tough times - when we so desperately will need it - if weve established it during times of ease, or at least reflected over it, or indeed lived it with others in *their* time of need - something which is truly the sign of a blessed individual. We should all prepare a place where we can accommodate all the tragedies which will sooner or later come to our lives, but this is an economy that few people care to practice. This is not pessimism. Our Prophet ﷺ was not seeking forgiveness all the time because he was a sinner, and neither did His Lord command him regularly to patience because his entire life was a tragedy. It wasnt. But it is tragic for us if we think that to be in a blessed state of humbling ourselves before Allah, or to be told to be patient is only applicable when we are in a bad moment, a rut in life, a mid-life crisis. Patience is realism. It is understanding that whatever we are experiencing at the moment - whether we perceive it to be good or bad - is all ultimately a test on whether you stay *real* or not, whether you attribute your blessing correctly to the One who gave it to you. Thats why being patient and worshiping your Lord in a consistent, deep quality fashion during good times is far more difficult than in the bad times. You cant see the problem. You cant feel the grief you need to be patient with. The heart doesnt feel enough pain to kick in the patience reflex. You dont feel the need to thank Allah because things are so good without Him. Thats why Ibn Taymiyyah termed this type of patience the more challenging and the more rewarding. Think about it: the majority of the worlds population have failed in this type of patience. And worse, Allah tells us that He continues to bless them with the dunya and good times and that theyll continue in their heedlessness and leave this life whilst actually being content with their disbelief. That is why when we see those who have been blessed with so much in this life and yet they still preserve their values, their Deen, their thanks to their Creator, and their thanks and connection to the normal folks around them, we call this patience even though it may not seem so. And what do we say about this person? He still keeps it *real*. Thats why patience is a permanent state we must incorporate in our lives, and create that space where we are always alert and aware. Patience is realism. This is the development of patience. This is why anyone who truly understands patience, has truly understood Islam, reality, and life itself. - Via Shaykh Abu Eesa
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:34:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015