When a problem befalls a person what is the usual response you hear? How do they react? Do they complain crying out “Why me”? Are they patient and what does it mean to be patient?
Al-Junaid said, “Patience is to keep calmly content while facing affliction.” Dhu-Nun said, “It is to restrain yourself from ill-conduct, remain quiet during affliction and without complaining.” Another scholar said, “Patience means to seek Allah’s help.” SubhanAllah patience can take on many names depending on the situation; it can be self-restraint, forbearance, asceticism, courage, acceptance and contentment.
We know that this life is nothing but a test for which patience is the key to passing, which Allah (SWT) confirms in Surah Baqarah (2: 155) “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.”
Patience is obligatory, according to the consensus of the scholars, and it is half of faith (îmân), the other half of which is gratitude (shukr). Patience is mentioned in the Qur’ân around ninety times. The relation of patience to îmân is like the relation of the head to the body, and the one who has no patience has no îmân. Allah has commanded patience for the Believers in the following âyah: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”(al-Baqarah 2:153)
As well, patience is a condition for entering Paradise and being saved from the Hellfire; on the Day of Judgement Allah will say:
“Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance – that they are the attainers [of success].” (al-Mu’minûn 23:111) – The success being Jannah
One of my favourite stories which illustrates patience perfectly is the story of ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubair .
“Urwah Ibn Al Zubair had an operation, and the doctor amputated his leg. One friend came to visit him. ‘Urwah thought that the friend came to pacify him for the loss of his leg. So ‘Urwah told the visitor: If you came to give me condolence for the loss of my leg, I already submitted to Allah with patience to reward me for its loss. The guest told him, I came to inform you that your son fell down in a stable, and the animals stepped over him, and he died one hour ago. ‘Urwah said: O Allah! You took one child, and left me many…You took one organ from my body, and left me many organs…O Allah! You tested me with my body, and you were kind to leave me with good health. You tested me with the loss of my son, but you were kind in leaving me the rest of my children.”
We all know that being patient is not easy it takes effort but this story illustrates how when a person has the correct perspective on life, being patient becomes easier.
How does attending Camp Sunnah improve your patience?
By giving you opportunity away from all the distraction of this life to refocus your priorities and change your perspectives through living in accordance to the Sunnah. From starting every day in the remembrance of Allah, by reviewing adab reminders, from daily gratitude exercises, and many more. Camp Sunnah trains you to inshaAllah think like Urwah when faced with hardship, as Allah (swt) will help and show a way out of every difficulty for the patient who turn to him.
“And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion” (at-Talaq 65-2:3)
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