Patience and perseverance

Perseverance is the choice of the strong and the great

Perseverance and forbearance is an active choice. It was selected by Allah for the Messengers of inflexible purpose. Allah ordered the Prophet - peace be upon him - to abide by this choice saying, "Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of inflexible purpose" (Al Ahqaf: 35).

Consequently, the Prophet - peace be upon him - did abide by this choice for more than half his missionary life. He clang to it as the sole option besides that of the Call to Allah. Then, he - peace be upon him - adhered to it as one amongst many other choices the rest of his life in Islam.

Equipped with perseverance and forbearance, the Prophet - peace be upon him - embarked on calling to Allah in Mecca. This was the most suitable and beneficial option to be taken by this nascent group (of Muslims) at that crucial time. Through his perseverance, the Prophet marketed for his Call and Message. Had he - peace be upon him - taken another option, Muslims would have been terminated by Quraish and the Call would have been killed in its cradle.

The Prophet - peace be upon him - persisted in forbearance in the Luminous Medina, where options varied and means abounded. This is due to the fact that it was the best and most beneficial option likely to convey the Message of Allah. An illustration of the Prophetic forbearance is that he forbore the hypocrites who harmed him, his family and the Muslims, "…so that it is not said that Muhammad kills his Companions."

The Prophet - peace be upon him - taught 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the lesson of perseverance and forbearance. He - peace be upon him - explained to 'Umar the fruitful results of perseverance as opposed to the serious consequences of impetuosity. The Prophet - peace be upon him - showed 'Umar that it is wise to take the right action in the right way and at the right time. On one occasion, the Prophet - peace be upon him - said to 'Umar, "See, 'Umar? Had I killed him the day you asked me to, many a man would have shivered (out of fear): men that would kill him today upon my orders."

The Prophet also bore the Jews, their plots and conspiracies, with utmost patience when the situation required this. Had the Prophet - peace be upon him - decided upon any other choice; religious and racial turbulences of serious consequences would have been erupted. With this great strategic decision, Muslims reaped, and still do, many countless benefits. Patience turns weakness into strength. It converts defeat into victory. On the other hand, impetuosity leads to rashness. Sometimes, impetuosity seduces one into violating Islamic Laws. Many other times, it lulls people into despair.

Forget not that time is the best healer; it is part of the treatment. So, today's hoped-for righteousness and reform may be accomplished tomorrow. What is far-fetched of the Muslims' hopes today, may be easy to get tomorrow.

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