People are created impatient, and, as a result, make various mistakes. However, religion requires everyone to be patient for the sake of Allah. Believers, in particular, should patiently await the great salvation that Allah promised. This is how the believers are commanded in the Qur'an:
“Be patient for the sake of your Lord” (Surat al-Muddaththir, 74:7). Patience is indeed one of the most important qualities in the struggle to reach Allah; it is the virtue one should cultivate in order to be closer to Him. “O you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that you may prosper.” (Surat Aal-e-Imran, 3:200)
In the community of the ignorant, the real meaning of patience is mixed up with endurance. However, endurance has a very different message which is forbearing against pain or distress. Yet, patience isentirely different as described in the Qur’an. This difference can only be comprehended by the believers. The perseverance of the believer is for gaining the pleasure of Allah. Therefore, if gives delight to the believers, whilst “endurance” gives only annoyance and distress to the unbelievers. The Qur’an expresses this as: “Seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverence and prayer:
It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.”
Another verse from the same surah emphasizes the glad tidings to be given to those who are patient in the face of obstacles or difficulties.
“Be sure we shall test you with fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return.’”
Patience is such a superior characteristic that it can increase the strength of the believers. Allah reveals in below verse how strength may increase with respect to patience: “For the present, Allah has lightened your (burden), for He knows that there is a weak spot in you:
But (even so), if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred, and if a thousand, they will, with the leave of Allah, vanquish two thousand, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.”
Patience is, moreover, a quality that subsumes all the other positive characteristics described in the Qur’an. A person may be modest, humble, generous, obedient or devoted; but only when he combines these virtues with patience, will they be of worth. It is the patience shown in the prayers and the attributes of believers, that makes them acceptable.
Patience pervades the whole life of the believers, who obey the decree: “Be patient for your Lord’s sake” Finally, Allah takes their souls and rewards them with His Paradise. Angels at the gates bid welcome to the righteous, saying: “Peace be on you for that you persevered in patience:
