Since the opposite of gratitude is ingratitude, Allah forbade its opposite, saying: “And do not be ungrateful to Me.” The ingratitude intended here is that which stands opposed to gratitude: denying and disavowing blessings and failing to fulfill their due. The meaning may also be general, encompassing many forms of disbelief, the gravest of which is disbelief in Allah, followed by the various kinds and categories of sin, from polytheism downward.
⦗75⦘
(153) “O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.”
Allah Most High commanded the believers to seek help in their religious and worldly affairs “through patience and prayer.” Patience means restraining the soul and holding it in check when faced with what it dislikes. It is of three kinds: patiently holding it to obedience to Allah until it performs it; restraining it from disobedience to Allah until it abandons it; and remaining patient with Allah’s painful decrees without resenting them.
Patience is a tremendous aid in every matter. One who lacks patience has no way of attaining his aim, particularly when it comes to demanding acts of worship that must be performed consistently. Such acts are in the greatest need of patient endurance and of swallowing the bitterness of hardship. If a person remains steadfastly patient in performing them, he will succeed; but if aversion and hardship turn him away from patiently persevering in them, he will accomplish nothing and be left deprived.
The same applies to a sin toward which the soul’s motives and impulses grow intense when the servant has the ability to commit it. It can be abandoned only through great patience, restraining the heart’s motives and impulses for Allah’s sake, and seeking Allah’s help to be protected from it, for such temptations are among the gravest trials.
The same is true of severe affliction, especially when it persists. Under it, a person’s mental and physical strength grows weak, giving rise to its natural consequence: resentment—unless he counters it by remaining patient for Allah’s sake, placing his trust in Him, seeking refuge in Him, and continually acknowledging his utter need of Him.
You thus know that the servant needs patience—indeed, cannot do without it—in every circumstance. For this reason, Allah Most High commanded it and declared that He is “with those who are patient”; that is, those for whom patience has become a character trait, an abiding quality, and a firmly rooted disposition. He is with them through His aid, His enabling grace, and His guidance. Through this, hardships and adversities become bearable for them, every formidable matter becomes easy, and every difficulty is removed. This is a special way in which Allah is with them, entailing His love, aid, victory, and nearness. This is [a tremendous distinction] (1) for those who are patient. Even if they possessed no other virtue than attaining this special favor of Allah’s being with them, it would suffice as an honor and distinction. As for the general way in which Allah is with creation, it is by His knowledge and power, as in His statement: “And He is with you wherever you may be.” This encompasses all creation.
Allah Most High also commanded that help be sought through prayer because prayer is the pillar of religion, the light of the believers, and the bond between the servant and his Lord. When the servant’s prayer is complete, containing everything obligatory and recommended, and his heart is fully present—which is the essence of prayer—then, upon entering it, he feels that he is coming before his Lord and standing before Him as a courteous servant in attendance. He remains mindful of everything he says and does, wholly absorbed in intimate discourse with his Lord and in supplication to Him. Such prayer is undoubtedly among the greatest aids in every matter, for prayer restrains one from indecency and wrongdoing. Moreover, this presence of heart in prayer instills within the servant’s heart a disposition and motive that impel him to obey his Lord’s commands and avoid His prohibitions. This is the prayer through which Allah has commanded us to seek help in every matter.