A Mountain of Patience (Islamic Story for Muslim Sisters)

It is reported that once while making Tawaaf, Sheikh Abul Hasan Siraaj May Allah be pleased with him noticed a female who was extremely good looking and also seemed like someone who had no concerns. He immediately lowered his gaze and said to himself, “Until today, I have never seen someone with a face like this and perhaps the reason for this is because this female is extremely happy, joyous and has no problems or concerns.” When this female heard these words, she asked him what he was saying to himself.

 

She then revealed her real story. She mentioned, “I am someone who is surrounded by sadness and sorrow and my heart has become extremely pained by what I have experienced.”

 

Sheikh Abul Hasan Siraaj May Allah be pleased with him asked her what had happened.

 

She said: “One day, my husband slaughtered a goat. My two sons were also playing nearby. I was also carrying my little baby and was busy preparing some food. My elder son then said to the smaller one whether he wanted to know how their father had slaughtered the goat. The smaller son replied that he wanted to see this. He then placed his younger brother on the ground and then cut his neck with the sharp knife that was nearby. After seeing the blood coming out from his younger brother, in fear, he ran towards the mountain.

 

“His father then went in search of him but could not find him. The reason is that the wolves had already eaten him. My husband did not return from these mountains and due to the heat and lack of water, he also passed away on these mountains. After hearing the sounds of my little son whose neck had been cut, I went to his aid. I also left the little baby in the cot. However, the little baby managed to overturn a hot pot which I had forgetfully placed nearby and he also died from these burns. Among all of these children, I also had daughter who was the eldest. She had married and used to live in the house of her husband. When she heard about the loss of all of the family, she could not bear it any longer and passed away as well. I am the only person among these people who is still alive who carries this sadness and sorrow wherever I go.”

 

When Sheikh Abul Hasan Siraaj May Allah be pleased with him heard this story, he was extremely shocked and perturbed. He asked her as to how she had managed to display such patience during such a difficult period. She replied, “Whoever thinks about patience and non-patience, they will find it differently. If a person displays contentment and then has patience, then the results will be better and the fruits of this behaviour will also be very sweet. If a person displays impatience, obviously, the results and the fruit of this will also be bitter. Therefore, I have decided to adopt patience and when I think about what had happened, I only allow myself to weep internally.”

 

After saying, this female then departed. (Roudur Riyaheen, 219)

 

Lesson

 

There is certainly great benefit and reward when a person displays patience in times of difficulty. The greatness of this can be gleamed from the following verse in the Qur’an.

 

In Surah Hud, verse 11, the Qur’an declares:

 

اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ صَبَرُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّ اَجْرٌ کَبِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۱﴾

 

“Except those who patiently endured and did good deeds; for them is forgiveness, and a great reward.”

 

One of the reasons also for this great qualities within a person is that this is also the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet May Allah send peace and blessings upon him. There are many Ahadith which prove this.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik May Allah be pleased with him narrates that, “We once accompanied the Holy Prophet May Allah send peace and blessings upon him to the house of Abu Yusuf, the blacksmith. He was also someone who was taking care of the son of the Holy Prophet May Allah send peace and blessings upon him, namely Sayyiduna Ebrahim May Allah be pleased with him. The Holy Prophet May Allah send peace and blessings upon him then picked up his son and kissed. He also smelt the fragrance emanating from this little child. After a little while, we then returned to this person. By that time, the blessed little baby was in his final moments. When the Holy Prophet May Allah be pleased with him saw this, he began to shed tears.

 

“Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Auf May Allah be pleased with him then remarked, ‘O Prophet of Allah Almighty! You also shed tears?’ The Holy Prophet May Allah send peace and blessings upon him replied, ‘O ibn Auf, this a show of mercy.’ (In other words, this was a display of paternal mercy and grace and not because he was not being patient). After saying this, he wept again and then declared, ‘My eyes are tearful and the heart is sad but we will do the same which our Lord is happy with, (in other words, we will display patience). O Ebrahim! There is no doubt that we are sad with your passing.’” (Bukhari Shareef and Muslim Shareef).

 

This clearly proves that having patience in times of sorrow, is indeed a great virtue. When a person displays impatience and continually utters words of regret, not only is the benefit and reward eliminated but a person also becomes entitled for the Divine Wrath of Allah Almighty.

 

He has also stated that, “Major reward comes with major trials and tribulations. When Allah Almighty loves a certain nation, then He tests them with trials and tribulations. Those who are satisfied (and display patience), they achieve the Divine Pleasure of Allah Almighty. Those who become displeased, (in other words, they display impatience), then for them is the Divine Wrath of Allah Almighty.” (Tirmidhi Shareef)

 

Our Muslim sisters should certainly learn a lesson from this incident especially those who display immense impatience at difficult times and merely blacken their record of deeds. Some even become guilty of uttering words of Kufr at this incident and leave the folds of Islam without even realising it. We pray that Allah Almighty graces every Muslim sister with becoming a mountain of patience and steadfastness. Aameen.