The Secrets of Patience

The Qur'an guides people to the ways of peace and teaches them what they previously did not know. It informs them of all the secrets of worldly life and the afterlife. One of the secrets that people can learn only from it is patience. Patience is not just one part of upstanding morality; rather, it is an important path by which the faithful are guided to Allah's mercy.

Allah grants unexpected blessings to His faithful servants who show patience while dealing with the troubles that befall them and who live in full the Qur'an's morality and carry out His commands.

The Qur'an informs us of Allah's promised blessings to Muslims who show patience, as follows:

In showing patience, small communities may, with Allah's permission, defeat large communities

When Talut marched out with the army, he said: "Allah will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me—except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand." But they drank from it—except for a few of them. Then when he and those who believed with him had crossed it, they said: "We do not have the strength to face Goliath and his troops today." But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said: "How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah's permission! Allah is with the steadfast."  (Surat al-Baqara, 249)

Traps cannot harm those who remain steadfast and guard against evil

If something good happens to you, it galls them. If something bad strikes you, they rejoice at it. But if you are steadfast and guard against evil, their scheming will not harm you in any way. Allah encompasses what they do. (Surah Al 'Imran, 120)

Allah promises to aid His servants, who are steadfast and guard against evil, with His angels

Yes indeed! But if you are steadfast and guard against evil, and they come upon you suddenly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels, clearly identified. (Surah Al 'Imran, 125)

Allah multiplies the strength of the faithful

O Prophet! Spur on the believers to fight. If twenty of you are steadfast, they will overcome two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will overcome a thousand of those who do not believe, because they are people who do not understand. Now Allah has made it lighter on you, knowing that there is weakness in you. If a hundred of you are steadfast, they will overcome two hundred; and if there are a thousand of you, they will overcome two thousand with Allah's permission. Allah is with the steadfast. (Surat al-Anfal, 65-66)

Allah keeps His promises to the patient

And We bequeathed to the people who had been oppressed the easternmost part of the land We had blessed, and its westernmost part as well. The most excellent Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the tribe of Israel on account of their steadfastness. And We utterly destroyed what Pharaoh and his people made and the buildings they constructed. (Surat al- A'raf, 137)