As for patience in obeying Allah, many people are too lethargic, for example, to perform the prayer in congregation. A person does not go to the mosque, saying, “I shall pray at home; I have fulfilled my obligation,” and thus gives in to laziness. He should be told, “My brother, discipline yourself: restrain yourself and compel yourself to pray with the congregation.” Many people, when they see that the zakat due on their wealth is substantial, become stingy and miserly and begin to hesitate: “Should I give away all this wealth, or should I keep it?” and so forth. Such a person should be told, “My brother, compel yourself patiently to pay the zakat.” The same applies to all other acts of worship, for Allah—Exalted is He—says concerning prayer: “Indeed, it is burdensome except for the humble” [al-Baqarah: 45]. You will find that acts of worship are burdensome for most of Allah’s servants, so they urge one another to remain patient in obeying Him.

The same applies to patience in refraining from sin. Some people, for example, are driven by their own souls toward unlawful earnings, whether through usury, fraud, deceptive practices, or other forbidden means. Such a person should be told, “Be patient, my brother. Restrain yourself and do not engage in forbidden dealings.” Some people are also afflicted with looking at women. You find such a person walking through the marketplace and following every woman who passes with his gaze. He should be told, “My brother, restrain yourself from this.”

They also urge one another to be patient with Allah’s decrees. A person may be afflicted with illness in his body, the loss of some of his wealth, or the loss of loved ones, causing him to panic, become resentful, and suffer anguish. They therefore urge one another, saying, “Be patient, my brother. This is something decreed. Panic is of no benefit, and prolonged grief does not dispel sorrow.” If a person is tested by the death of his son, we say, “My brother, be patient. Imagine that this son had never been created.” Furthermore, as the Messenger—may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace—said to one of his daughters: “To Allah belongs what He has taken, and to Him belongs what He has given. Everything with Him has an appointed term. Tell her, therefore, to be patient and seek her reward from Allah.” (1)