The True Meaning of Patience

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Patience is satisfaction [with Allahs decree].

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience is that a man bears whatever afflicts him and swallows his anger.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience is of two types: perseverance in the face of that which you despise, and enduring restraint against that which you love.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience comes in the form of either persevering in the face of an affliction, or enduring an act of obedience, or restraining oneself against an act of disobedience. And this third type is of a higher calibre than the first two.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) was once asked about graceful patience [graceful patience (al-Sabr al-jamil) - mentioned in the Quran 12:18, 12:83], to which he replied, ‘That is the patience that is devoid of complaint to other people.