he will suffer some form of harm; and if he is not forbearing and patient, the harm he causes will outweigh the good he achieves. Luqman said to his son:

“Enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and endure patiently whatever befalls you; surely that is of the matters that require firm resolve.” ⦗Q 31:17⦘

For this reason Allah commanded the messengers—the very leaders in commanding good and forbidding evil—to be patient. He said to the Seal of the messengers, and He linked this command directly to conveying the message. When he was first commissioned, the surah

“O you who are wrapped in your cloak” (al-Muddaththir)

was sent down to him after the surah

“Read” (al-‘Alaq),

by which he was made a prophet. In it Allah says:

“O you who are wrapped up! Arise and warn; magnify your Lord; purify your garments; shun defilement; do not give in order to receive more; and for the sake of your Lord, be patient.” ⦗Q 74:1-7⦘

Thus the very first verses that dispatched him to humankind began with a command to warn and ended with a command to be patient. The act of warning itself is a form of commanding good and forbidding evil, so it is clear that patience must follow.

He also said:

“So be patient for the judgment of your Lord, for you are under Our watchful eye.” ⦗Q 52:48⦘

And:

“Be patient over what they say, and keep away from them in a gracious manner.” ⦗Q 73:10⦘

“So be patient, as those of firm resolve among the messengers were patient.” ⦗Q 46:35⦘

“So be patient for the decree of your Lord, and do not be like the Man of the Fish.” ⦗Q 68:48⦘

“And be patient—your patience is only through Allah.” ⦗Q 16:127⦘

“And be patient, for Allah never lets the reward of those who excel go to waste.” ⦗Q 11:115⦘

Therefore three qualities are indispensable: knowledge, gentleness, and patience. Knowledge precedes commanding and forbidding, gentleness accompanies them, and patience follows them—even though all three should remain present throughout.