Belief in al-Qadaa’ wa’l-Qadar (Divine will and decree)

 

What is the status of sabr (patience) in Islam? What should the Muslim bear with patience?

Praise be to
Allaah.

Belief in al-Qadaa’ wa’l-Qadar (Divine
will and decree) is one of the pillars of faith. The Muslim’s faith
is not complete unless he knows that whatever befalls him could not
have missed him, and whatever misses him could not have befallen him.
Everything is subject to the will and decree of Allaah, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine
Preordainments of all things before their creation as written in the
Book of Decrees Al Lawh Al Mahfooz). [al-Qamar 54:49] 

The position of patience in relation to faith
is like that of the head in relation to the body. Patience is a noble
attribute with good consequences. Those who are patient will have an
unlimited reward, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward
in full, without reckoning” [al-Zumar 39:10] 

All the disasters and tribulations that happen
on earth, or happen to the individual, or to his wealth or family, etc.,
were known to Allaah before they happened, He has written them in al-Lawh
al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) as He says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves
but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz) before
We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah” [al-Hadeed
57:22] 

No matter what disasters befall a person,
it is good for him, whether he knows that or not, because Allaah does
not decree anything but it is good, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning): 

“Say: ‘Nothing shall ever happen to us except what
Allaah has ordained for us. He is our Mawlaa (Lord, Helper and Protector).’
And in Allaah let the believers put their trust”[al-Tawbah 9:51] 

Every disaster that happens, happens by Allaah’s
leave. If He had not willed it, it would not have happened, but Allaah
permitted it to happen and decreed it, and so it happened. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“No calamity befalls, but by the Leave [i.e. Decision
and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allaah, and whosoever believes
in Allaah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e.
what has befallen him was already written for him by Allaah from the
Qadar (Divine Preordainments)]. And Allaah is the All-Knower of
everything”[al-Taghaabun 64:11] 

Once a person knows that all calamities happen
by the will and decree of Allaah, then he has to believe and submit
and be patient. The reward for patience is Paradise, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken
garments, because they were patient”[al-Insaan 76:12] 

The call to Allaah (da’wah) is a great mission, and the
one who undertakes it is exposed to a great deal of harm and calamities.
Hence Allaah enjoined patience upon His Messenger and other Prophets:

“Therefore be patient (O Muhammad) as did the Messengers
of strong will” [al-Ahqaaf 46:35 – interpretation of the meaning] 

Allaah has guided the believers, if some matter
worries them or some calamity befalls them to seek help with patience
and prayer, so that Allaah will relieve their distress and give them
a way out: 

“O you who believe! Seek help in
patience and As-Salaah (the prayer). Truly, Allaah is with As-Saabiroon
(the patient)”

[al-Baqarah 2:153 – interpretation of the meaning] 

The believer must bear with patience that which Allaah
has decreed, and be patient in obeying Allaah, and be patient in keeping
away from sin. Whoever is patient, Allaah will give him an immeasurable
reward on the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):  

“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward
in full, without reckoning” [al-Zumar 39:10] 

The believer in particular is rewarded in
both good times and bad. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “How wonderful is
the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good, and that is
for no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he
gives thanks, and that is good for him, and if something bad happens
to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Narrated
by Muslim, no. 2999) 

Allaah has taught us what we should say when
calamity strikes, and has stated that those who are patient will have
an honourable position with their Lord. Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning): 

“… but give glad tidings to As Saabiroon
(the patient).

Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to
Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return’”[al-Baqarah 2:155-156]