PROPHETS ALSO EXERCISED PATIENCE 1

By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful

Transliteration

[002.156 Allatheena itha asabat-hum museebatun qaloo inna lillahi wa-inna ilayhi
rajiAAoona
002.157. Ola-ika AAalayhim salawatun min rabbihim warahmatun waola-ika humu
almuhtadoona]

Translation

[002.156 Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah's and to Him we
shall surely return.
002.157 Those are they on whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those are
the followers of the right course.]

It would be more pertinent to mention here about the previous verse that Allah Subhana-
Wa-Ta’aala shed light on the tests from Allah which are given to the mankind to prove
that how much they are steadfast on the bright teachings of Allah. We saw that Allah
tests us. He gives many tests, for example He may give us plethora of money, and He
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By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

may give us poverty, He may also give us sickness, and He may also deprive of us what
we used to have. Allah also says to establish the system of Islam on this planet among
the pagans and disbelievers. It is not easy, you may loss your lives and children and
beloved ones in the way of Allah’s Din. Even our harvests may also become prey of the
havoc. These are all the tests from Allah. So one should remain calm and patient. And
should establish salat. Allah likes these two stances and also showers His countless
blessings on us. Then resultantly there are glad tidings for the people who exhibited
patience. There are blissful victories in this world and in hereafter life. Allah describes

them by saying [Allatheena itha asabat-hum

museebatun] (Those who, when afflicted with calamity…), when they are in difficulty He

further says [inna lillahi wa-inna ilayhi

rajiAAoona] (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’). When
something happens to them or when they are in difficulties, they never say others to help
them. They say that they are the servants of Allah and they have to move to Him. It is
the best acknowledgment of a man being a servant of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. When
we utter this world it is a proclamation that we are humble servants of Allah.
When we recite these Quranic verses we are expressing that we are united with
Allah and His system completely. We were born by Him and we have to go to Him.
And nothing can help or harm us on the planet but there is only one personality and that
is Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. And this is the wide and clear concept of Al-Tawheed.
There is one very clear meaning in this verse that Allah does exist with all His mighty
powers and huge mercies. And we believe in Him and His powers and mercies. It is one
of the Usool-e-Din (laws of Din) in Islam. That’s why Allah is describing that the
people, who are undergoing some kind of patience, they only have to reconcile with
Allah for seeking help or guidance or fortitude. Allah is saying at almost at every page of
the holy Quran that we should seek help and guidance only from Allah. Because only in
His guidance we have the survival and can make progress. Allah says

[Ola-ika AAalayhim salawatun min

rabbihim] (They are those on whom are the Salawat from their Lord…). Because we have
only one recipe to have a refuge from any hardship and that we have to go back to Allah
for the help or guidance. In return of it such persons will be given the finest and purified
place in His heavens. This is the promise of Allah with us. That there will be further
convenient and happy life free from any danger of hunger and harm. And this life will be
unending life before us to explore further dimensions of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala.
And when we pass the tests of Allah it means that when we remain steadfast in
our Iman in whatever the circumstances we may get in the world, Allah raises our stratum
in the society. As we pass classes of our school and college and university, we get higher
positions. In the same way Allah promotes us to the superior life.
Ibn Abbass also said in Tafseerul Manaar in volume II page 40, he says that the
meaning of is forgiveness from the sins. Allah mentions that Allah will forgive
you from the sins. So in the hard circumstances sometimes a human happens to commit
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By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

some kind of sin, perhaps under the depression or in order to survive. So if he in these
circumstances should remain calm and collected and show patience with salat, Allah will
not only forgive his sins but also help him and guide. So such people will receive the
blessings and mercies of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala.
The holy Quran gives us the proof that when a man comes one step closer to
Allah, then in return He also gets more close to him. This is the blessing of Allah on us.
These blessings are not fixed for the Muslims only but these treasures of Allah are open
to all to grab who wish to acquire them. Because He is Rabb ul Alameen. Standard and
the criteria to have the treasures of Allah is to follow the ways what Quran tells us.
Either you believe in or not but the way of the Quran will give you the results of your
efforts. This is the efficacy of the Law of Providence.
We should feel with our corporal senses and implement in true letter the

quintessence of . That’s why it was stated in the

beginning of this lecture that it is a Simon-pure Tawheed. It is a proof of us that our heart
is fully immersed in the elixir of Iman.
Allah says that we can also be tested by our children. Our children are also our
test. We can also be tested though the prophets. The prophets come to guide us but their
guidance is also a test for us. Test is this that who is going and who are going to obey the
prophets or who is or who are going to defy the prophets. Allah further says that when he
brings us in the world with different colors, and the waxing and waning of the moon and
different phases of the sons these are also tests for man.
Now the question comes in mind that how can I come to know that I have passed
tests of Allah? In worldly alma mater we seek help from teachers and friends in order to
understand the texts and pass the exam with the best. Now what are the things and
criteria by doing which we can pass the tests of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala? Some of
these things Allah mentioned in different verses. The first important thing that helps a
man is to become a patient. The patience is the most important thing in human life. This
is the first support to a person to pass the test of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. And Allah
is with and beside them who are calmly patient in their daily routine of life. And there is
a glad tiding for those who have strong patience. With the patience you can fight the
hardships of the life.
Other point is that we should observe those persons who are exhibiting and
exercising patience in their life. Such people give us a live lesson which thrives a
struggle to be patient like them.
The history of our prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
is full of tests which were imposed on the by Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. We can learn
a lot from the history of our beloved last prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Also
the history of Ahlul Bayt, the history of good companions is full of tests. Their lives
were full of discomfort and difficulties, but they showed that they were the truest possible
followers and believers of Allah. We can learn from their histories. We can see that
what was the modus operandi of these people that they easily passed the tests of Allah
Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. Just look at the life of holy prophet (Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa
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Shaikh Jalilu Issah

sallam) and his progeny. When they underwent the problems in their lives then what is
the position of us? And they also had to pass the tests of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala.
Then just think for a while that where lies our status? So there is a clear message and a
lesson that we should not leave the right path of the holy Quran.
Fourth point is also note worthy that it is important to understand no matter what
difficulties we are in or we are undergoing, don’t call someone else in order to have a
support. Only call Allah. He is nearer to our jugular vain. No other helper is better and
reliable than only Allah. There is someone who is constantly watching me without
letting any moment go, that is Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. When if someone is watching
us moment by moment it means that a helper is always with us moment by moment.
Then why not to call Him? Human support is transient. Divine support is permanent.
Because we have the history of time and space. There were numerous prophets. Where
from they got support? From whom they sought support? Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala
only. Then why not us? It is thought provoking.
Look at the history of prophet Ibrahim. He was also tested by Allah. Allah said

[ Wa-ithi ibtala ibraheema rabbuhu

bikalimatin faatammahunna] (And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim tried him with
Commands…). Allah mentions that prophet Ibrahim was tested. History tells us that
prophet Ibrahim was tested many a times. But prophet Ibrahim underwent difficult tests.
One of them is that he was thrown into the fires. When prophet Ibrahim was about to set
ablaze by Nimrood, prophet Ibrahim prayed to Allah. Then by the Qudrat of Allah
Gabriel came to prophet Ibrahim. The angel spoke to him that he was there to help
Ibrahim. Do you know what the answer of prophet Ibrahim to angle Gabriel? He refused
to have angelic help. He spoke to him that he knew from whom to seek the help. There
is only Allah. Because he is the closest to us. Allah is the strongest, the most reliable,
and the most merciful. Prophet Ibrahim refused to have help of angel. And exactly
before he was thrown into the fires, Allah turned the same fire into the garden for prophet
Ibrahim. Allah says Allah gave order to the fire to be cool for prophet Ibrahim. That fire
only became cool for prophet Ibrahim. Because there were orders from Allah Subhana-
Wa-Ta’aala. So we got a live lesson from the history of prophet Ibrahim that he
exhibited in his life the most enduring patience. And his patience gave him success. And
it was his patience that made him pass the tests of Allah.

Further will be discussed in next lecture Inshallah!