Chapter 5 - On Perseverance

“O' Hafs! Whoever is patient has been patient for a little bit, and whoever is impatient has been impatient for a little bit. Then he added: “Make sure that you are patient in all affairs, since when God appointed Muhammad to Prophethood, He ordered him to be patient, and said: “And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity). And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life who (yet) deny the Truth.” [The Holy Quran: Muzzammil 73:10-11] And God the Almighty the High said: “Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he, between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.” [The Holy Quran: Ha-Mim 41:34-35] The Prophet (a.s) was patient even though they made great accusations against him (such as being mad, a magician, a liar).”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “I instruct you to be patient. God the Almighty appointed Muhammad (a.s), and ordered him to be patient. He said: “And have patience with what they said, and leave them with noble (dignity). And leave Me (alone to deal) with those in possession of the good things of life” [The Holy Quran: Muzzammil 73:10-11] God the Almighty also said: “Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.” [The Holy Quran: Fussilat 41:34-35] God's Prophet (a.s) was patient even though they made great accusations against himed him of being a magician, being mad or being a liar. Then God the Almighty revealed the following verse: “We do indeed know how thy heart is distressed at what they say. But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration.” [The Holy Quran: Hijr 15:97-98] Then they rejected the Prophet (a.s) and he got sad. Thus God revealed the following verse: “We know indeed the grief which their words do cause thee; it is not thee they reject; it is the signs of God, which the wicked contemn. Rejected were the Apostles before thee: with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them.” [The Holy Quran: Anam 6:33-34] Again the Prophet (a.s) was patient, but they did not stop there. And when he mentioned God's name they rejected God, too. The Prophet (a.s) said: “I was patient with them when they rejected me and my family, but I cannot withstand their rejection of my Lord. Then God revealed the following verse: “We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in Six days, nor did any sense of weariness touch us. Bear, then with patience, all that they say.” [The Holy Quran: Qaf 50:38- 39] Then the Prophet (a.s) was patient in all situations. And he was informed about the Prophets being patient. God the Almighty said: “And We appointed from among them, Leaders, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our signs.” [The Holy Quran: Sajdah 32:24] Then the Prophet (a.s) said: “The relationship between patience and faith is similar to that of the head and the body.” God admired him and sent the following: “The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and we leveled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people erected (with such pride).” [The Holy Quran: A'raf 7:137] Then he said this is an admonition and a reward. Then God revealed the following verse and allowed slaying the Pagans: “Then fight, and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them. And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them.” [The Holy Quran: Tauba 9:5] Then God damned them via the Prophet (a.s) and his friends, and set this as a divine reward for his patience in addition to his heavenly reward. Thus whoever is patient and asks God to get near to Him will not die before he gets pleased by seeing what happens to his enemies. And he will also receive rewards in the Hereafter.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: ‘Be patient at times of calamities’ regarding God's statement: “O' ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy.” [The Holy Quran: Al-i-Imran 3:200].