Author’s Prologue

Praise be to Allâh, the Patient (as-Sabûr), the Thankful (ash-Shakûr), the Most High (al-‘Aliyy), the Greatest (al-Kabîr), the All-Hearing (as-Samî’), the All-Seeing (al-Basîr), the All-Knowing (al-‘Alîm), the All-Powerful (al-Qâdir), Whose power controls every single creature and Whose Will dominates every single event. His Call to people to prepare for the Hereafter has been so strongly that even the dead could hear it. I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger, the best of His creation who did not spare any effort to advise this Ummah, the most patient in accepting the decree of Allâh and the most grateful for His blessings. Truly he conveyed the Message of Allâh and proclaimed the Truth, and endured in the way of Allâh that which no human being had ever endured. He followed Allâh’s commands patiently and gratefully, until he gained the pleasure of Allâh and attained the highest degree of patience, such as had never before been reached.  

Patience, or patient perseverance, is obligatory, according to the consensus of the scholars, and it is half of faith (îmân), the other half of which is gratitude (shukr). Patience is mentioned in the Qur’ân around ninety times. The relation of patience to îmân is like the relation of the head to the body, and the one who has no patience has no îmân. Allâh has commanded patience for the Believers in the following âyah:

“O you who believe! seek help with patient perseverance (sabr) and prayer...” (al-Baqarah 2:153)

Patience has also been made a condition for a person’s entering Paradise and being saved from the Hellfire; on the Day of Judgement Allâh will say:

“I have rewarded them this day for their patience and constancy (patience): they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss...” (al-Mu’minûn 23:111)

And Allâh commanded the patient (those who have patience) when He said:

“...(it is righteousness...) to be firm and patient, in pain or suffering and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.” (al-Baqarah 2:177)

and:

“...Allâh loves those who are firm and steadfast.” (Āl ‘Imrân 3:146)

Allâh has told us that He is with those who have patience; this is a special “companionship” (ma’iyyah) which means that He is protecting and supporting them, which is over and above the ordinary “companionship” which applies to believers and disbelievers alike whereby Allâh has knowledge of them and is watching over them. Allâh has told us:

“...And be patient and persevering: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (al-Anfâl 8:47)

The Prophet (SAAS) told us that patience is all good and full of goodness, and said that “There is no gift better than patience.” ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said: “The best days of our lives were ours by virtue of patience.”

This book has been written to highlight the urgent need for patience, and to explain that our happiness in this life and our salvation in the hereafter depends on patience. This book is filled with benefits and readers will benefit from its advice and teachings. What is good and correct in this book is by the help of Allâh, and what is mistaken in it is from the Shaytân. May Allâh forgive the author and the editor. Allâh is the Greatest Helper, and we put our trust in Him.

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