Understanding Sabr: 8 Quranic Verses About Patience

Sabr, or patience, is an attribute that holds great importance in Islam.

In our lives, we experience times of joy, times of fear, times of sadness, and times of anger. However, the uncertainty of each moment always takes us by surprise even when we know first-hand how unpredictable this world can be. And it is during these moments that we figure out the truth of life. That is, whether we’re going through a time of turbulence or peace, the only constant that stays put, no matter what, is the existence of Allah. 

Patience is one of the truest and most beloved forms of worship. By practicing Sabr, we commit ourselves to the Will of Allah SWT while truly accepting whatever He has written for us. 

The importance of Sabr can be concluded from the fact that the Qur’an is decorated with multiple verses that are directly, or indirectly, related to the virtue of patience. In this article, we will shed light upon 8 verses from the Holy Qur’an that show the significance of this unique quality:

1- Patience and Its Reward

“And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” – (Surah Hud: 115)

2- Doorway to Patience Is Through Allah 

“And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.” – (Surah An-Nahl: 127)

3- Sabr Is For Those Who Remain Humble

“And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allāh].” – (Surah Al-Baqarah: 45)

4- Allah’s Promise Is the Truth

“So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith].”

5- Attain Goodness Through Patience

“But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].” – (Surah Fussilat: 35)

6- Allah Is With the Patient

“And obey Allāh and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.” – (Surah Al-Anfal: 46)

7- Have Sabr To See the Best Outcome

“So be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.” – (Surah Hud: 49)

8- Allah Tests Us All

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allāh, and indeed to Him we will return. "Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” – (Surah Al-Baqarah: 155-157)

Indeed, the rewards for being patient and practicing Sabr are immense! As such, we should consider it a way of seeking Allah’s Mercy. May Allah SWT bless us all with a fruitful life and a beautiful hereafter. Ameen.