ʿAlqamah said, “It is the person who is struck by a calamity, realizes that it comes from Allah, and therefore is content and submits.”

Others commented on the verse to the same effect: that whoever is afflicted, recognizes that it is by Allah’s decree, remains patient, seeks his reward, and yields to Allah’s judgment, Allah guides his heart, compensates him for what he missed of this world with inner guidance and true certainty, and may even restore to him what was taken.

Saʿid ibn Jubayr said about the verse, “Whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart”: “It means that he responds by reciting, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.’” ⦗1⦘

This noble verse proves that deeds are part of faith, that patience is a cause for hearts to be guided, and that a believer needs patience in every circumstance.

He needs it with his own self when faced with Allah’s commands and prohibitions, obliging himself to observe them.

He needs it in the arena of calling to Allah Most High, bearing the hardship and harm encountered along that path. Allah the Exalted says, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and dispute with them in the manner that is best. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way, and He knows best those who are rightly guided …” up to His words, “So be patient, for your patience is only through Allah.” ⦗2⦘

He needs it as well when enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, enduring the harm people may inflict. Allah says regarding Luqman, “My dear son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient with whatever befalls you—surely that is of the matters that require firm resolve.” ⦗3⦘

And the believer must meet the calamities that come upon him with patience: knowing they are from Allah, he is content, submits, and restrains himself from panic and resentment.