What is patience? How can it be developed?

The characteristic of patience is a tough one. So tough that when a man came to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and asked him what does he have to do to get to Paradise, he (ﷺ) advised him: “Don’t get angry!”[1] That’s all – don’t get angry. This means you must have the patience and control so you stop yourself from exploding. This is in connection with things that is not necessary to be angry over and can be overlooked. Of course, it is necessary to be angry if one sees evil being done to others and if one doesn’t feel angered in this case or is not upset about it, then there’s something wrong with one’s faith. However, here we’re talking about the general circumstances where somebody just does something and you’re ready to explode.

As mentioned in the beginning, Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) advised the man not to get angry to get to Paradise. That patience would be enough to carry him to Paradise. That’s how important patience is. And of course, Allah refers to it as a means to overcome the trials of life. Those who have patience are not only blessed by Allah, but also they are the ones who will ultimately be successful.

Some are born with this trait while others struggle to achieve that state. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“..and whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience."[2]

Some may refer to it as hypocrisy wherein you’re exploding inside and outwardly pretending to be patient. The here is that this is the nature of how we develop positive characteristics. If we repeat this time and again, eventually it will become a real characteristic. It will come eventually, as practice makes one perfect. If the Prophet (ﷺ) said  that it is the best way, then it is the best way and it will work if you’re doing it sincerely for the sake of Allah, striving to achieve that level of patience. But yes, if you’re doing it to show off, then it is hypocrisy and it really doesn’t benefit you. If you’re doing it sincerely, trying and striving hard to achieve that patience in your life and you make patience one of your normal characteristics, then that is something which pleases Allah and you will be granted patience.

Patience involves doing things consistently because patience is not just controlling oneself in times of trial, but it also involves being patient in what must be done. Patience includes being patient and giving advice to others to be patient. Patience also dictates doing good deeds consistently, as good deeds done persistently are beloved to Allah. So, consistency is what we should struggle and strive for. Doing a little consistently and then building upon it is better than to jump in and do everything, which like a match stick would create a big flame as soon as it’s struck but die out quickly.

References:

[1] Sahih al-Bukhari: 6116

[2] Sahih al-Bukhari: 1469