Page 50 - The Pains of the False World
P. 50
THE PAINS OF THE FALSE WORLD
Patience
Although the words "endurance" and "patience" are often
tied together, they actually re p resent two diff e rent concepts.
Endurance has specific bounds and these vary according to
the individual. When those bounds are exceeded, a person
may abandon his or her moderate and calm approach in fa-
vor of various behavioral defects. Patience on the other hand
is a moral virtue stemming from fear of Allah, one which do-
es not change with circumstances or events. It is only possib-
le to be patient in the face of troubles or events by comprehen-
ding the infinite might of Allah and putting one's trust in
Him by seeing the good in all that He creates. True patience is
therefore a feature peculiar to believers and an element of go-
od moral values which people who fail to live by the values of
the Qur'an can never achieve. Believers are described as pati-
ent and submissive in the Qur'an:
[Believers are] those who are patient and put their trust
in their Lord. (Surat an-Nahl, 42)
Those who patiently persevere in seeking the face of
their Lord, and perform prayer and give from the provi -
sion We have given them, secretly and openly, and stave
off evil with good, it is they who will have the Ultimate
Abode. (Surat ar-Ra'd, 22)
Justice
Allah has revealed in the Qur'an that superiority among
people rests solely upon godliness (Surat al-Hujurat, 13). In
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