Patience and perseverance (Sabr) are one of the most celebrated virtues in Islam. It embodies resilience, steadfastness, and trust in Allah’s plan, even amidst the most challenging trials. In my previous post, Resilience: The Habit That Fuels High Performance, I examined how resilience and perseverance serve as key habits for high performance.
Throughout the Quran and Hadith, Allah reminds believers of the immense rewards for those who endure trials with patience. This divine promise has been a source of strength for many, including the people of Syria, whose resilience and patience under decades of tyranny and conflict stand as a remarkable testament to the power of Sabr.
As we witness the recent developments in Syria, with the collapse of the oppressive Assad regime, it is essential to reflect on the lessons of patience and resilience from the Quran and Hadith and how they resonate with the unwavering spirit of the Syrian people.
This post reflects on the Quranic and Prophetic teachings on Sabr and resilience, weaving in the Syrian people’s enduring struggle as a modern example of this sacred virtue.
Patience: A Reflection of Faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment
The Quran consistently highlights Sabr as a key to success in this life and the Hereafter. Patience is not a passive act but an active stance of perseverance, trust in Allah, and resistance to despair.
Allah says:
“وَٱسۡتَعِینُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِیرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَاشِعِینَ*الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ”
“And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the reverents. Those who are certain that they will meet their Lord and to Him and they will return to him.”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:45-46)
This verse highlights the importance of patience in adhering to Allah’s commands and engaging in prayer. It highlights that true resilience arises from an unshakable belief in meeting Allah and returning to Him, combining inner perseverance with a deep sense of reliance and faith in His divine plan.
The Syrian people’s unyielding faith in Allah, even in the face of war, displacement, and oppression, reflects the strength derived from this combination.
Allah’s Support for the Patient
The Quran repeatedly assures that Allah is with those who practice Patience and persevernace (Sabr):
“یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسۡتَعِینُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ”
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:153)
This divine companionship has been a source of solace and hope for the oppressed. It reminds us that while the trials may seem overwhelming, Allah’s presence offers strength and guidance. This is exemplified by the resilience of Syrian people who, despite losing their homes, loved ones, and livelihoods, held steadfastly to their faith, ultimately leading to their victory.
The Story of David and Goliath: A Quranic Parallel
The Syrian struggle resonates with the story of the believers facing Goliath (Jalut) and his army:
“وَلَمَّا بَرَزُوا لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ”
“And when they went forth to face Goliath and his soldiers, they said: ‘Our Lord, pour upon us patience, plant firmly our feet, and give us victory over the disbelieving people.’”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:250)
This supplication embodies the essence of Patience (Sabr): resilience paired with a plea for divine strength. The Syrian people’s persistent calls for justice mirror this supplication, ultimately leading to the downfall of tyranny.
Resilience and Trust in Allah Amid Challenges
In times of hardship, the Quran reminds believers to maintain resilience and trust in Allah’s wisdom:
“وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ”
“If you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.”
(Āli ʿImrān, 3:120)
This verse reassures believers that patience and piety protect against the machinations of oppressors. Syrians have endured years of aggression and propaganda, yet their steadfastness dismantled the oppressive regime’s false narrative.
The Rewards of Patience and Perseverance
The Quran promises immense rewards for those who endure trials with patience:
“إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَاب”
(Certainly, those who observe patience will be given their reward in full without measure) i.e., Their reward will not be weighed or measured; they will be given an immense reward.
(Az-Zumar, 39:10)
“And He will reward them for what they patiently endured with a garden (in paradise) and silk [clothing].”
“وَجَزَاهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا جَنَّةً وَحَرِيرًا”
(Al-Insān, 76:12)
The Syrian people’s journey demonstrates that perseverance, though painful, leads to both worldly success (in their victory) and eternal reward in the hereafter.
The Role of Collective Patience and Perseverance
The Quran calls upon believers to remain steadfast collectively:
“یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱصۡبِرُوا۟ وَصَابِرُوا۟ وَرَابِطُوا۟ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ”
“O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.”
(Āli ʿImrān, 3:200)
The collective unity and resilience of the Syrian people against tyranny reflect this divine guidance, showing how communal steadfastness can bring about change.
Patience and Perseverance Lead to Victory
History teaches us that oppression never lasts. The Quran narrates how patience led to the liberation of the oppressed from Pharaoh’s tyranny:
وَأَوْرَثْنَا الْقَوْمَ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُسْتَضْعَفُونَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا ۖ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ الْحُسْنَىٰ عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا ۖ وَدَمَّرْنَا مَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَقَوْمُهُ وَمَا كَانُوا يَعْرِشُونَ
“And We made the people who had been oppressed inherit the eastern and western parts of the land which We had blessed. And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their patience. And We destroyed completely all the great works and buildings which Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people erected.”
(Al-Aʿrāf, 7:137)
Similarly, the Syrians’ patience has paved the way for liberation from Assad’s oppressive regime and justice.
Hadith on Patience and Resilience
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further elaborated on the virtues of patience and resilience. He said:
“عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ، وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ”
“Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for there is good for him in every matter. If he is granted ease, he is grateful, and that is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he shows patience, and that is good for him.”
(Sahih Muslim 2999)
This hadith captures the essence of the believer’s relationship with trials: resilience and gratitude transform every situation into an opportunity for spiritual growth. The Syrian people have exemplified this spirit, turning their suffering into a testament of faith and endurance.
Conclusion
Resilience and Patience (Sabr) are timeless virtues that enable believers to navigate trials with hope and strength. The Quran and Hadith repeatedly remind us of the immense rewards for patience, both in this world and the Hereafter.
The Syrian people’s journey exemplifies these principles, demonstrating how steadfastness and faith in Allah can lead to eventual triumph over tyranny.
May Allah continue to strengthen the people of Syria and all who endure oppression, granting them peace, justice, and the ultimate rewards of Sabr. Ameen.
ماشالله، الله يعطيك الف عافية