Why is patience necessary? What is its importance in Islam?

Patience is a key element in the life of a believer. Patience, mentioned in chapter 103 of the Qur’an, about which Imam Ash-Shafi’i had said, “Were no other chapter in the Qur’an to have been revealed, that chapter would have been sufficient for human kind, for them to be guided.” That Chapter is Surah Al-‘Asr.

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ (١

By time,

إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ (٢

Indeed, mankind is in loss,

 إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ (٣

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [1]

In this chapter, Allah identified patience and then advising thereof to one another, as being among the keys to success in this life.  Among many other important characteristics, like generosity, kindness, compassion and lovingness, Allah laid stress upon truth and patience. This is because, first and foremost, for anyone to attain the proper relationship with Allah, that person has to be true. True – in accepting the truth when it comes to him, following and committed to that truth.

Our belief is based on truth that has come from the Creator of this world. He did not leave us to wander blindly in the world on our own. But, He sent the truth to us, which we know as Islam. Our acceptance of the truth and living in accordance with it, holding on firmly to that truth throughout our lives is a requirement, even if that truth is against us. If Muslims in the world commit evil, which we know is not right, no matter what the circumstance, we have to stand up for the truth because ultimately, we are about the truth. The truth must stand out clear from falsehood.

Once a person has committed himself in all aspects of life to the truth, that person has to be patient, since that truth will be tried and tested. Hence, when patience is so important, it is required by us to understand what it means.

Reference:

[1] Surah al-‘Asr, 103:1 – 3