This is a word which is often used in our lives. But do we really know the meaning and can we profess to practise it or ... is it just a better substitute for the words procrastination, ambivalence, sympathy, cowardice, consolation...
We are told to be patient when a calamity or something we do not like befalls us. That is, we should not do anything foolish, do not cry our eyes out, do not say something we will regret, do not be angry at anything and everything, be measured and not rush into our next course of action, do not give up hope, do not regret etc...etc
BE PATIENT!
Submit to Allah. Everything that happens has a reason behind it. It happens, whether good or bad only if Allah wills it. Once it has happened we cannot reverse it. We look ahead. How do we make the next best action. How do we learn from this. How do we help us or others avoid it happening again. Easy to say, hard to do! But as the saying goes ... practice can make perfect.
But being Patient is not only containing our feelings without complaining when something bad befalls us. Patience is also the endeavour to do good things no matter what challenges are ahead of us. Yes, it is sometimes not easy to do good things although the intention is very strong. That is also a test of our patience. Giving up can be much easier.
Patience is also that internal strength to refrain from doing unsavoury or harmful things to yourself or others. It is a test of our patience when we do not give in to temptations.
But the meaning of patience is only known to us. It's in the heart. Not pretending. Otherwise, patience can only be a front or a pretense when procrastinating; not daring to take on the fight for truth but just overwhelmed by cowardice or ambivalence; not being creative enough to help someone in need but merely asking him to be patient. Only we know whether our patience is sincere and genuine.
Indeed, substantial rewards await those who overcome trials on their patience, insyaaAllah.
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