Download PDF: [S] The VIrtue of making Sabr

After the Battle of ‘Uhud, the blessed aunt of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, Sayyidah Safiyah – may Allah be pleased with her – came on to the battlefield so that she could see her blessed brother, Hadrat Sayyiduna Hamza – may Allah be pleased with him. When he realised the state of his blessed uncle, he advised his cousin, Hadrat Sayyiduna Zubair – may Allah be pleased with him, not to allow his blessed aunt to see the body. However, Hadrat Sayyidah Safiyah – may Allah be pleased with her – replied, “I have come to know about the actual state of my brother, but I do not consider that I have yet made the ultimate sacrifice to Allah.”

 

After the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – had given her permission, she then approached the body of her beloved brother. When she saw that his ears, his nose and his eyes were gorged out and that his liver had also being chewed, she silently read “Inna lillaahi” and made Du’a for her brothers forgiveness. After this, she returned home. (Zarqani, 3/287)

 

Those who in times of difficulty and stress read these words have been especially praised in the Holy Qur’an.

 

In Surah Baqarah (2), verses 155 to 157, the Holy Qur’an declares:

 

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّکُمْ بِشَیۡءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوۡفِ وَالْجُوۡعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الۡاَمۡوٰلِ وَالۡاَنۡفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِ ؕ وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ﴿۱۵۵﴾ۙ الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَاۤ اَصٰبَتْہُمۡ مُّصِیۡبَۃٌ ۙ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّا لِلہِ وَ اِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ﴿۱۵۶﴾ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ صَلَوٰتٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّہِمْ وَرَحْمَۃٌ ۟ وَاُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الْمُہۡتَدُوۡنَ﴿۱۵۷﴾

“And We will surely test you with some fear and hunger, and with paucity of wealth and lives and crops; and give glad tidings to those who patiently endure. – Those who say when calamity befalls them, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed it is to Him we are to return.” These are the people upon whom are the blessings from their Lord, and mercy; and it is they who are on guidance.”

 

A true Muslim is that Muslim who never turns away from obeying Allah Almighty in any state whatsoever whether in times of happiness or in times of difficulty. To be able to see the body of one’s brothers in this state where he was completely mutilated and to remain firm in spite of this, is certainly making sure that one is obeying the Divine Command of Allah Almighty.

 

It may look extremely difficult for some people, however, those who have in front of them Allah Almighty and His beloved Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and wish to achieve the Pleasure of Allah Almighty and the pleasure of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – they are those blessed souls who are able to endure these trials and calamities with an open chest and by doing so they become entitled for even more Divine Grace and Mercy.

 

We should also learn that in these times as well, we should not abandon patience and forbearance and we do not become victims of complaints and utter words of impatience and anger. We must bear in mind that if we behave in an un-Islamic manner, this difficulty will not move away, in fact, we will only be robbing ourselves of immense Divine Grace. It must be remembered that one of the greatest sources of reward is to display forbearance and patience at the very beginning of this difficulty and test. The reason is that after this, people find it easy to make Sabr or have patience.

 

It is mentioned that one day, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him –was passing by a lady who was weeping at a certain grave. He mentioned to her, “Fear Allah and have patience.” Since she was in deep grief, she did not know or recognize who had said these words from behind and in this state, she replied, “Move away from me, my difficulty has not reached you.”

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then continued towards his residence. However, when this lady was informed that the person who had given her advice was actually the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – she became extremely embarrassed and after meeting him, she explained that she did not know that it was him who had uttered these words. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – again reminded her, “Patience is displayed at the very beginning of sadness.” (Mishkaat Shareef)

 

We also make Du’a that Allah Almighty give all Muslims the strength to make Sabr. Ameen.