Patience

Huzoor^(aba) chose the subject of ‘patience’ for his Friday Sermon today. He recited verse 154 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:154) and with reference said that patience is an attribute with which one can bring about revolutionary changes in one’s personal and communal life.

One faces trails and tribulations on a daily basis, some are big others small, the requisite is to turn to Allah and seek His help alone to rid one of these problems and to refrain from complaining and whining about the situation. Huzoor^(aba) said whether the problem befalls us as a result of our own mistake or is a trail from Allah, the thing to do is never to bow down before anyone under pressure but to always turn to Allah. This approach is most favoured by Allah and His recompense for this is amazing.

Huzoor^(aba) said the literal meanings of [the Arabic word for patience] sabr is ‘to stop’; he said to complain to none other than God in times of distress and trouble is called sabr (patience). Huzoor^(aba) said the Holy Quran and ahadith inform us that patience can be of three kinds: a, to avoid bewailing/grumbling b, to hold on to good and c, to avoid what is bad.

Elucidating the matter further with ahadith Huzoor^(aba) said the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that none exhibits more patience than Allah over grievous matters in that people associate partners with Him and relate a son to Him, yet He goes on providing them with security and provision. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) said that for a momin (believer) all matters ensue goodness (khair). If he receives happiness he is grateful and in trouble he is steadfast and therefore becomes a source of good. He said a Muslim’s tiredness, illness, anguish, pain, even the hurt of the prickle of a thorn causes Allah to forgive some of his past mistakes.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had said that from among the droplets favoured by Allah are the drops of blood that flow in His Name, the tear drops during His worship at Tahajjud and the ‘gulp’ of patience one swallows in a difficult situation.

He enjoined to be patient when wronged and to avoid getting into the habit of begging and borrowing. Huzoor^(aba) greatly disapproved of the habit to beg and borrow and said one should never underestimate the gravity of it. Huzoor^(aba) related that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had said that to earn a living from hard work is obligatory. Huzoor^(aba) said people should not sit idle and take up the responsibility to provide for their family.

Huzoor^(aba) stressed the importance of exercising patience in daily interaction with one’s neighbour and admonished quarrelling over trivial matters like the parking space for a car or leaves falling off his tree into your garden etc. Huzoor^(aba) said it is so regrettable that all this actually happens. Huzoor^(aba) said all Ahmadis should learn to forgive and control their anger.

Relating another hadith Huzoor^(aba) said one who raises daughter with patience and steadfastness shall be shielded from punishment in the Hereafter. Huzoor^(aba) expressed deep regret at the distressing correspondence that he receives from some girls who are made to feel as if they are a burden for their parents. Huzoor^(aba) also stressed the excellence of raising orphans with kindness and patience.

As regards exhibiting patience in matters of the system of the Community Huzoor^(aba) cited a hadith where the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined, ‘if one notices something in one’s ameer (leader) that one does not like, one should exercise patience’.

Huzoor^(aba) said we have also faced trails and suffering as a Community. The Ahmadis in Pakistan have faced persecution since the country was formed but they always exercise patience and remain sincere to their country. These days disorder is being created against the Community in Bangladesh who are responding with the grace of Allah with fortitude and patience. Huzoor^(aba) said it has always been the way that devout Communities have faced persecution, indeed the greatest tribulations were faced by our Master, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) who bore them all with the most excellent display of patience. Huzoor^(aba) narrated the extraordinary patience the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) exhibited in Ta’if.

Next Huzoor^(aba) read an excerpt of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) writing depicting the most excellent example of the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be on him) patience and steadfastness and urging his own Community to try and walk in its footsteps.