Allah created human beings. He has expressed the purpose of his creation in various words and sentences in the Quran. In one place in the Quran, this matter is articulated as follows:

الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَ الْحَيٰوةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ اَيُّكُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا   وَ هُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفُوْرُ .

The One who created death and life, so that He may test you as to which of you is better in his deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving. -Surah Mulk (67): 2

Allah Ta'ala has created the world to test human beings and jinns. People come to earth and face various tests from Allah Ta'ala. One of these tests relates to human instinct i.e. Allah wants to see whether they worship their instincts or worship Allah, the All-mighty. In the same way, those who are always calling people to the path of wrongdoing are a great test for the seeker of the right path. Allah wants to see whether they respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger or respond to call of Satans.  Moreover, Allah tests mankind through worldly dangers and hardships. Every believer must face these tests in their lives. Allah wants to test who are the best in deeds and who are not. Not only ordinary people, but also the most beloved servants of Allah Ta'ala have faced severe trials in this world. However, they have been able to establish themselves as the chosen and most beloved servants of Allah Ta'ala by showing the utmost patience. In addition to the Prophets and Messengers, the special servants of Allah Ta'ala have also shown great patience in the face of danger. However, they have shown patience and achieved a distinguished position in the sight of Allah, the Almighty. Patience has a tremendous effect in achieving that success and fortune. That is why the Quran has encouraged people to be patient. The Quran advises people to cultivate patience in various ways and highlights its benefits and advantages.

In the Quran, the word "Sabr" (patience) is used in various forms in nearly ninety places, as Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal rah. (died: 241 A.H.) described. In sixty-two places, the imperative use of sabr is found. [ Uddatus Sabirin, Ibnul Qai`im Rah., page. 71] , although Ibn `Ashur rah. (died: 1393 AH) said in his famous book 'Attaharir Wattanwir ', the word ‘patience’ is used more than seventy times in the Quran. - Attahrir Wattanwir 1/478]

However, it is clear from the above that the word patience is mentioned in many places in the Quran. This shows that patience is an inevitable reality in the life of a believer and it's something that must be acquired.

Meaning and analysis of the word ‘Sabr’

The word "Sabr" (patience) is used in various forms throughout the Quran. Its fundamental meaning is to control oneself in times of distress, adversity, and unfavorable circumstances and to always stand steadfast on truth and ethics. Although the word ‘Sabr’ has a different meaning in shariah, yet it has a connection with its linguistic meaning everywhere. Allama Raghib Asfahani Rah. (died: 502 AH) while analyzing the meaning of sabr in his famous book 'Almufaradat fi Garibil Qur'an ' said : 

 والصبر حبس النفس على ما يقتضيه العقل والشرع، أو عما يقتضيان حبسها عنه.

Sabr is devoting oneself to what common sense and Shariah demand to do, and keeping himself away from what sharia and common sense demand to stay away from.  (Almufaradat fi Gharib al-Qur'an , p. 273

Below we are going to mention a few examples of "patience" in the text of Shariah :

One. Keeping oneself steady in the face of danger and being satisfied with the decision of Allah Ta'ala.
 Allah Ta'ala says

وَ لَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَ الْجُوْعِ وَ نَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْوَالِ وَ الْاَنْفُسِ وَ الثَّمَرٰتِ وَ بَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِيْنَ،الَّذِيْنَ اِذَاۤ اَصَابَتْهُمْ مُّصِيْبَةٌ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّا لِلهِ وَ اِنَّاۤ اِلَيْهِ رٰجِعُوْنَ
Surely, We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient. Who, when a suffering visits them, say: “We certainly belong to Allah, and to Him we are bound to return.” -Surah Baqarah (2): 155-156

Two. Sabr is to go against the evil inclination and keep oneself away from sins and wrongdoings, and to believe in Allah and worship Him, and to observe all the rules of Shariah. Allah Ta'ala says,

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اصْبِرُوْا وَ صَابِرُوْا وَ رَابِطُوْا وَ اتَّقُوا اللهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ۠ .

O you who believe, be patient, compete with each other in patience, and guard your frontiers, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful. -Surah Ale Imran (3): 200

Here, the word "patience" has a broad meaning with with its various branches, namely showing steadfastness in obedience to Allah Ta'ala, suppressing the desires of the mind in order to avoid sins, and enduring hardships. All these three types of patience can be intended here. (Tawdihul Qur'an, p. 185)

Three. Standing firm in war against the enemy. Allah Ta'ala says,

وَ لَمَّا بَرَزُوْا لِجَالُوْتَ وَ جُنُودِهٖ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَّ ثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَ انْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَومِ الْ كٰفِرِيْنَ .

And when they faced Jalut and his troops, they said: “Our Lord, pour out endurance on us, make firm our feet and help us against the disbelieving people.”- Surah Baqarah (2): 250

Four. Enduring injustice and oppression 

وَ لَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوْا عَلٰي مَا كُذِّبُوْا وَ اُوْذُوا حَتّٰي اَتٰىهُمْ نَصْرَنَا وَ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمٰتِ اللهِ وَ لَقَدْ جَآءَكَ مِنْ نَّبَاِي الْمُرْسَلِيْنَ .

Indeed, many messengers have been rejected before you, but they stood patient against their rejection, and they were persecuted until Our help came to them. No one can change the words of Allah, and of course, some accounts of the messengers have already come to you. -Surah An'am (7): 34

Both physical and mental suffering can be intended here.

Significance of patience in the Qur'an

This world is not but an examination hall. Therefore, everybody face various tests in their daily lives in many ways. They should exercise patience in these trials. They have to overcome the difficult situation. Allah Ta'ala has instructed people to be patient in various places in the Qur'an. He instructed his beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to be patient. He said,

فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ اُولُوا الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَ لَا تَسْتَعْجِلْ لَّهُمْ كَاَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوْۤا اِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنْ نَّهَارٍ بَلٰغٌ فَهَلْ يُهْلَكُ اِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْفٰسِقُوْنَ.

So, (O prophet,) observe patience, as the resolute messengers observed patience, and be not in haste about them. The Day they will see what they are promised, (it will be) as if they did not stay (in the world) more than an hour in a single day. This is a message. So, none will be destroyed except the sinners - Surah Ahkaf (46): 35

He instructs the believers and says, 

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اصْبِرُوْا وَ صَابِرُوْا وَ رَابِطُوْا وَ اتَّقُوا اللهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ .

O you who believe, be patient, compete with each other in patience, and guard your frontiers, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful - Surah Ale Imran (3): 20

Allah helps those who exercise patience

It has been announced that Allah helps those who persevere in times of distress. He said:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اسْتَعِيْنُوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ اِنَّ اللهَ مَعَ الصّّرِيْنَ .

O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient -Surah Baqarah (2): 153

Allah saves those who are patient from all kinds of danger 

Allah saves those who are patient from danger. He rescues them from complex situation and gives them success in various stages of life. He said, 

الَّذِيْنَ اِذَاۤ اَصَابَتْهُمْ مُّصِيْبَةٌ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّا لِلهِ وَ اِنَّاۤ اِلَيْهِ رٰجِعُوْنَ، اُولٰٓىِٕكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوٰتٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَ رَحْمَةٌ وَ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُوْنَ.

Who, when a suffering visits them, say: “We certainly belong to Allah, and to Him we are bound to return.” Those are the ones upon whom there are blessings from their Lord, and mercy as well; and those are the ones who are on the right path. - Surah Baqarah (2): 156-157

He also said,

قَالَ مُوْسٰي لِقَوْمِهِ اسْتَعِيْنُوْا بِاللهِ وَ اصْبِرُوْا اِنَّ الْاَرْضَ لِلهِ يُوْرِثُهَا مَنْ يَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهٖ وَ الْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِي ْن.

Musa said to his people, “Seek help from Allah and be patient. Surely, the land belongs to Allah. He lets whomsoever He wills inherit it from among His servants; and the end-result is in favor of the God-fearing.” - Surah A ' Raf (7): 128

Rewards of Patience

In the Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala has mentioned various rewards for those who are patient. He said,
 
مَا عِنْدَكُمْ يَنْفَدُ وَ مَا عِنْدَ اللهِ بَاقٍ وَ لَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ صَبَرُوْا اَجْرَهُمْ بِاَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ .

What is with you shall perish and what is with Allah shall last. And certainly, We shall bless those who observed patience, with their reward for the best of what they used to do. - Surah Nahl (16): 96

He also said,

وَ الَّذِيْنَ صَبَرُوا ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَ اَقَامُوا الصَّلٰوَةَ وَ اَنْفَقُوْا مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَّ عَلَانِيَةً وَّ يَدْرَءُونَ بِالْحَس َنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ اُولٰىِٕكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَي الدَّارِ, جَنّتُ عَدْنٍ يَّدْخُلُوْنَهَا وَ مَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ اٰبَآىِٕهِمْ وَ اَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَ ذُرِيّتِهِم وَ الْمَلٰىِٕكَةُ يَدْخُلُوْنَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ كُلِّ بَابٍ, سَلٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَي الدَّارِ .

And those who observe patience in order to seek the pleasure of their Lord and establish Salah and spend secretly and openly from what We have given to them, and repel evil with good. Those are the ones for whom there is the ultimate abode, The eternal gardens they enter, and those as well who are righteous from their fathers, spouses, and progeny. The angels will enter onto them from every gate. (Saying) “Peace on you for the patience you observed. So, how excellent is the ultimate abode.” As for those who break their pledge with Allah after it has been made binding, and cut off the relationships Allah has commanded to be joined, and make mischief in the land, those are the ones for whom there is the curse, and for them there is the evil abode. -Surah RaThe (13): 22-25

He also said,

اُولٰٰىِٕكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ اَجْرَهُمْ مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوْا وَ يَدْرَءُوْنَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ يُنْفِقُوْنَ .

Such people will be given their reward twice, because they observed patience. And they repel evil with good, and spend from what We have given to them.- Surah Qasas (28): 54

Allah said

وَ جَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ اَىِٕمَّةً يَّهْدُوْنَ بِاَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوْا وَ كَانُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَا يُوْقِنُوْنَ .

And We appointed leaders from among them who guided (people) under Our command, when they observed patience, and kept firm belief in Our verses. - Surah Sajda (32): 24

From the above verses, it becomes clear as day light that how significant and meaningful the subject of patience and endurance is in Islam. Patience guarantees peace  both in this world and in the hereafter.

That is why the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) considered patience to be light. He said,

الصَّبْرُ ضِيَاءٌ .

Patience is light. - Musnad Ahmad , Hadith 22902

That is, patience enlightens life. It makes all areas of life bright. So, to decorate and brighten every area of our life, we must be patient.

May Allah, the Almighty, grant us tawfiq to be steadfast and patient in every aspect of our lives. Ameen.

Translation: Rasel Khan