Page 39 - The Importance of Patience in the Qur’an

When The Faithful Show Patience 37

In the Qur'an, Allah lists some of the many blessings that He has
granted to people, as follows:
To mankind, the love of worldly appetites is painted in glowing
colors: women and children, heaped-up mounds of gold and
silver, horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile
farmland. All that is merely the enjoyment of the life of this
world. The best homecoming is in the presence of Allah. (Surah
Al 'Imran, 14)

The faithful use these blessings in the best possible way, but at no
time become addicted to them. They know that, as with everything
else in the world, possessions and goods are part of the environment
created to test them. Knowing that the blessings of this world are
transient and that the home of the real blessings, none of which will
ever be lost, is the afterlife, they have no worldly ambitions.
Since they feel neither ambition nor passion for worldly goods,
they show patience whether times are good or bad. When they lose
their property or it is damaged, they do not sink into sorrow or worry.
If they obtain a large amount of property by working for years and
then lose it all in a day, they know that Allah is testing their faith and
patience. Therefore, they do not become distraught if their houses,
orchards, or gardens are destroyed, or if their businesses end up
going bankrupt. Despite all of these trials, they live in the comfort
provided by the knowledge that Allah will ease their burdens, clear
their way, conclude matters to their benefit, and reward their patience
with better things in the afterlife.
People who are passionately attached to this life cannot stand it
when their hard-earned property suffers any loss or damage, and so
display rebellious behavior. Forgetting that Allah is the true owner of
all property and that He can give more than He has taken away, if He
so wills, they cannot see any good in such an event and so cannot