ABSTRACT
Patience (sabr) is a predominant virtue in the Qur’an. The word sabr itself is repeated many times in the Qur’an in different chapters and it is a virtue whose cultivation is strongly recommended for the believers. Sabr, from the Qur’anic viewpoint, is an essential component of Iman or faith itself. In Surat al-Baqara, verses 156 - 157, God declares to the believers: We shall test you with a bit of fear and hunger, plus a shortage of wealth and souls and produce. Announce to patient people who say, whenever some misfortune strikes them: “We belong to God, and are returning to Him;” that they will have their prayers accepted by their Lord, and granted mercy. These are the guided ones.” An earlier verse from the same chapter counsels Muslims, “O those who believe, seek help through patience and prayer; for God is with those who are patient” (2:153). The patient are moreover assured of God’s love and support; Surat A1 ‘Imran, verse 146 says, “God loves the patient;” while Surat al-Anfal, verse 46 assures the believers that “God is with the patient.” God promises the patient boundless reward; Surat al-Zumar, verse 10 states, “Indeed the patient are given their recompense without measure.” Patience, furthermore, is beautiful, according to the Qur’an (Surat Yusuf, 18, 73), and the faithful urge one another to be patient (Surat al-‘Asr, 3). Without this constant enjoining of one another, the Qur ‘an warns, humans tend to be impatient (in Arabic, “h a lu a n ;” Surat M i‘rag, 19), a trait that is disagreeable in a Muslim.
