Sabr: Key to Paradise

Allah (swt) did not reveal Islam through the Qur’an in the Arabic language for no good reason. The Qur’an is literary perfection on myriad levels. But the miracle that stands out most to me, as a convert and one who is just in my infancy in terms of learning Arabic, is the richness and depth and strength that Allah (swt) conveyed very succinctly with the Qur’anic Arabic. I hope to have numberous posts about various words in the Qur’an, and so today, I’d like to start out this little “mini-series” with the term, “sabr.” While there are hundreds, if not thousands of words in Arabic that are powerful and worthy of discussion, I believe this one ranks as #1 or at least in the top 3. (Others with power rankings coming soon….stay tuned!)

What is sabr? It is a short, sweet, simple word. Yet it is jam-packed with meaning, with feeling, with intensity. See, I can’t even explain what sabr is and the effects of this one little word without filling an entire page in English!

Sabr means…
patience
strength of will
being steadfast amid tribulations
enduring trials and afflictions
constancy despite surrounding changes
forbearance
preparedness to sacrifice
determination in the face of opposition
courage in the face of oppression

Today, in our society, anxiety, stress and depression are more common than not, and therefore, the importance and all-inclusiveness of the word Sabr is even more vital to our success as Muslims and as an ummah.

Allah reminds us:
“O you who believe, seek assistance (and solace) through Patience and Prayer;
Surely, Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
Refer not to those who have been slain in the path of Allah as being dead;
no, they are alive though you perceive it not.
Rest assured that you will be tested with fear, hunger, loss of property, lives and of fruits of your labor.
Convey glad tidings to those who are patient – those who when affliction, trial or tribulation befall them say,
‘Surely from Allah we come and unto Him is our return.’
Such are those on whom the blessings and mercy from Allah descends, such are they who follow the path of Divine Guidance.”

The significance of Sabr in the Islamic way of life can be gauged by the Prophet’s (saws) consideration of it as half of faith and as the key to Paradise. The other half is thankfulness. And so we are reminded:

How remarkable a believer’s affair is, for it is always to his advantage, and such a condition is only for a believer. If something good happens to him he thanks God, which is to his advantage; if something bad happens to him he endures it, which is also to his advantage.

May we all grow and develop the intensity, depth and richness of this term, sabr, that we may endure the hardships of this life with our eyes set firmly on the prize that Allah (swt) has promised us…

“…with hardship comes ease…verily, with hardship comes ease.”

Al-jannah is the “ease” for which all endurance is made worthwhile

 

 

~ by raggiungere on March 5, 2007.