Friday Sermon Archives Series, delivered 7th December 2001
Introduction
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say; “We believe” and will not be tested?
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make it known (the truth of) those who are true and will certainly make it known (the falsehood of) those who are liars.” Surah Al-Ankabut (29:2-3)
- Patience – Its meaning
- Linguistically, the word Sabr is from Sabara – to be patient and to persevere. I includes holding back and restraining oneself.
- In the Sharee’ah it implies restraining one’s soul from being agitated, restraining the tongue from complaining and restraining the hands from slapping the cheeks, tearing the clothes and doing other similar actions. (Ibn Al Qayyim – Madaarikis Saalikeen 2/56)
Patience (Sabr) has been mentioned in over ninety (90) places in the Qur’aan.
- Abu Sa’eed Al- Khudree narrated that the Prophet said; “No one has been given anything more excellent and more comprehensive than Sabr.” Bukhari and Muslim
- Abu Maalik Al- Ash’aree narrated from him “Sabr is light.” Muslim and Ahmad
- Umar said; “We considered the best part of our lives to be that in which there was Sabr.” (Bukhari in Ta’eeq form and related in connected form by Imam Ahmad in az – Zuhd with a saheeh isnad – Confirmed in Fath ul Baree of Ibn Hajr)
- Alee said; “Indeed Sabr is from eeman. its position is like that of the head with respect to the rest of the body.” Then he raised his voice and said; “Verily, there is no eeman for the one who has no Sabr.” (Al-Laalika’ee, al- Bayhaqee and Ibn Abee Shaybah in their respective works).
2. Categories of patience
Patience is of three types;
- Patience while fulfilling the orders of Allah
- Patience while abandoning and keeping away from the prohibitions of Allah and;
- Patience with the Decree of Allah
With regards to Daw’ah it is of four types / stages;
- Having patience while acquiring knowledge. Ibn Abbas said; “I used to wait at the door of Zaid ibn Thabit so that I may ask him and benefit from his knowledge, though I knew that if I knocked the door he would open it as I am a close relative of the Prophet.” Therefore, we should take from this and resolve to strive to seek the ilm, attending the beneficial classes of knowledge, learning the Arabic language etc.
- Having patience when acquiring the true understanding of Islam as the sayings of the people of deviation are widespread and we must understand that these deviations are based upon the people’s desires and them using this deen to support them.
- Exercising patience when applying the knowledge obtained. This is the real test as it distinguishes the truthful from the liars, as the verse in Surah al – Ankabut infer. More directly Allaah says;
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is in the sight of Allaah that you say that which you do not do.” Surat Us Saff (61: 2-3)
Many of us today seemingly learn something and then rush to show it or test the people. We then look down and have distain upon them; Jaabir narrated from the Messenger; “Do not acquire knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the ignorant, nor to gain mastery over the gatherings. Since whoever does that, then; The Fire! The Fire!” (Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibban and al –Aajuree – authenticated by a witnessing chain in Tirmidhee)
Having patience when calling others to the knowledge and true understanding of this deen. Brothers must have patience with their wives and sisters must display likewise with their husbands. This is essential if we are to be successful.
4. Patience when facing trials and afflictions
Allaah says; “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient, who, when afflicted with calamity, say; “Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on whom are the blessings and forgiveness of your Lord and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.” Suratul Baqarah (2:155-157)
Allah also tells us in Suratu Taghaabun (64:11); “And whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart aright….” The exegesis of this ayat is that whosoever is afflicted with a trial / calamity, knows it is by the Decree of Allah and His Power. he thus patiently submits to it and Allah rewards the individual by guiding his heart aright, (8/164 of Ibn Katheer). Anas related from the Messenger; “Whenever Allaah intends to do good to a servant, He hastens to punish him in this world. And whenever Allaah intends evil for a servant, He postpones the punishment until the Day of Judgement.” (Saheeh – Tirmidhee and al – Haakim, authenticated by Sheikh al Albanee). This means that he is punished by being afflicted with trials and difficulties due to sins. Afflictions are a means of purification in this life, leaving him free from sins to account for in the Hereafter.
Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymeeyah said;
“The occurrence of afflictions are actually a form of blessing, since they are an expiation for sins committed and they call for a person to have Sabr, for which he is duly rewarded…”
Thus, those afflictions which befall a person are actually the cause of Allaah wiping away his sins, and this is one of the greatest blessings. Therefore, the occurrence of afflictions are a source of mercy and bounty, providing such a person does not enter into that which is a cause for even greater disobedience than before. Indeed, there are people who when afflicted with a trial or calamity such as poverty, illness or starvation, become aggrieved to the extent that they to fall into ingratitude or disbelief, abandoning certain obligations or committing prohibited acts. Anas also narrated that our Messenger said;
“Reward is directly proportional to the affliction. If Allaah loves a people, He afflicts them with a calamity. Whoever accepts it, Allaah is pleased with them, and whoever resents it, Allaah is displeased with them.” (Classified hasan – Tirmidhee and ibn Maajah, authenticated by Sheikh al Albanee)
Do not think that Allaah will not test and punish us at the hands of others. We see what befell Banee Isra’eel when they were previously chosen / favoured above the rest of mankind;
“And We decreed for the children of Isra’eel in the Scripture: “Indeed you would do mischief in the land twice and you will become tyrants and extremely arrogant!
So, when the promise came for the first of the two, We sent against you slaves of Ours given to terrible warfare. they entered the very innermost parts of your homes. and it was a promise (completely) fulfilled.
Then We gave you a return victory over them. And We helped you with wealth and children and made you numerous in man-power. (And We said): “If you do good, you do good for your ownselves, and if you do evil, (you do it) against your ownselves.” Then, when the second promise came to pass, (We permitted you enemies) to disgrace your faces and to enter the mosque of (Jerusalem) as they had entered it before, and to destroy with utter destruction all that fell into their hands.” Surah Al Israa (17:5-7)
Reflect on what happened to them then and look what is happening to us now! They had become tyrannical and arrogant in the land, committing shirk with Allaah!
End of 1st part of sermon
Part 2
The believers’ position
- Regarding the believers, Allaah informs us about the Companions:
“And when the believers saw Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), they said; “This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us; and Allaah and His Messenger had spoken the truth. and it only added to their faith and their submissiveness to Allah.” Suratal Ahzab (33:22)
We also see the eeman and resolve of the true believers who accompanied Talut in battle; – Not only did they obey his command, by not drinking excessively by the river, they had patience;
“So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him; they said; “We have no power this day against Jalut (Goliath) and his hosts.” But those who knew with certainty that they were going to meet Allaah said; “How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allaah’s Leave?” And Allaah is with As – Sabireen – the patient.
And when they advanced to meet Jalut and his forces, they invoked; “Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and set firm our feet and make us victorious over the disbelieving people. So they routed them by Allah’s Leave…” Suratul Baqarah (2:249-251)
- The believers of those times had faith (eeman) and patience (sabr)…
- They invoked Allaah with du’a. Many of us are impatient with our supplications; we don’t appreciate the power of du’aa…
- We must not depend only upon du’aa, but when our circumstances are straitened and there is no immediate way out, we must resort to and maintain du’aa.
- This is in times of ease as well as times of calamities….
- We have the numerous examples of the prophets and the patience they showed in times of difficulties and affliction. we learn of the numerous du’aa they made to Allaah.
Conclusion
We must strive to attain Allah’s Pleasure and be patient with du’aa supplicating much to Him; After all, Allaah has enjoined upon us;
“O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabireen (the patient).” Suratul Baqarah (2:155)
End of sermon
