Page 50 - The School of Yusuf (as)

THE SCHOOL OF YUSUF

of a prison are there as a punishment for their crimes. Throughout
their term, they complain, fall into despair, revolt, or “break
down,” mentally as well as physically, because of the constraint
and adverse conditions, like not being with their families, not hav-
ing their freedom, and various other factors. Instead of reforming

themselves, they often become even worse out of their obstinacy.
The attitude of a believer while in prison is entirely different.
First of all, even though he is wrongly imprisoned, he does not
complain or rebel. He knows that, whatever happens, it is the will
of Allah, and he yields to it with complete submission to Him, as
required in the following verse:
Say: “Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has or-

dained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the be-
lievers should put their trust.” (Surat at-Tawba, 51)
As he expects every hardship he experiences in prison to bring
him an increase in his reward in the Hereafter, he bears patiently, as
the 5th verse of Surat al-Maarij stipulates: “Therefore be patient
with a patience which is beautiful.” He prays for his hardship to
be eased, but also receives hardship with a positive attitude, with
his thoughts on the Hereafter. For instance, the tightening of his the
handcuffs around his wrists, or the patience with which he bears

the cold in his cell, makes him ponder upon the Hereafter, and he is
gladdened. This is the secret to endure the trials of this life, and it is
only the believers who are aware of it.
A believer’s patience under difficult conditions is more than
simply enduring. Because, the enduring of the non-religious is
fraught with despair and recalcitrance, lacking in submission to
Allah. Patience, on the other hand, is comprised of contentment,

optimism, or maturity derived from faith. Surely, being confined

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