Principles of Islam
33. Patience
(Sabr)
~ 100 ~
33. PATIENCE
(SABR)
Patience is the exercise of restraint in trying
situations. It is a virtue, which enables the
individual to proceed towards worthy goals,
undeflected by adverse circumstances or repeated
provocations. If he allows himself to become upset
by opposition, taunts or other kinds of
unpleasantness, he will never reach his goals. He
will simply become enmeshed in irrelevancies.
The only way to deal with the irksome side of daily
living is to exercise patience. Patience will ensure
that whenever one has some bitter experience, he
will opt for the way of tolerance rather than that of
reaction to provocation. It will enable one to absorb
shocks and to continue, undeterred, on one’s
onward journey.
Patience, as well as being a practical solution to the
problems faced in the outside world, is also a means
of positive character building. Failure to exercise
patience, gives free rein to negative thoughts and
feelings, resulting in the development of a negative
