The Three Types of Patience (Ṣabr)
Patience (ṣabr) is one of the greatest virtues in Islam. Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله and other scholars categorized patience into three types:
1. Patience in Obedience to Allah (Ṣabr ‘alā Ṭā‘ah)
This is the patience required to remain consistent in worship, such as praying on time, fasting, giving zakāh, and seeking knowledge.
Acts of worship require effort and perseverance, especially in times of laziness or hardship.
Allah says:
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا
"And enjoin prayer upon your family and be steadfast in it." (Surah Ta-Ha 20:132)
2. Patience in Avoiding Sins (Ṣabr ‘an al-Ma‘āṣī)
Restraining oneself from harām desires and prohibitions, such as zina, riba, and lying.
This is often more difficult than performing good deeds because sins are tempting and easily accessible.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا حُلْوَةٌ خَضِرَةٌ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ مُسْتَخْلِفُكُمْ فِيهَا فَيَنْظُرُ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ فَاتَّقُوا الدُّنْيَا وَاتَّقُوا النِّسَاءَ
"Indeed, the world is sweet and green, and Allah has made you successors in it to see how you act. So be cautious of the world and be cautious of women." (Muslim 2742)
3. Patience in Hardships (Ṣabr ‘alā al-Balā’)
Enduring trials such as illness, financial loss, or personal suffering without complaint.
This is a test from Allah to purify the believer and raise their rank.
Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155)
Summary
Ṣabr in obedience: Staying firm in worship despite difficulty.
Ṣabr in avoiding sins: Resisting desires and harām temptations.
Ṣabr in hardships: Bearing trials with contentment and seeking Allah’s reward.
Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
"Patience in obeying Allah is greater than patience in hardships because obedience is continuous, while trials are temporary."
True patience leads to Allah’s love and reward:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
"Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153)
Patience (ṣabr) is one of the greatest virtues in Islam. Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله and other scholars categorized patience into three types:
1. Patience in Obedience to Allah (Ṣabr ‘alā Ṭā‘ah)
This is the patience required to remain consistent in worship, such as praying on time, fasting, giving zakāh, and seeking knowledge.
Acts of worship require effort and perseverance, especially in times of laziness or hardship.
Allah says:
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا
"And enjoin prayer upon your family and be steadfast in it." (Surah Ta-Ha 20:132)
2. Patience in Avoiding Sins (Ṣabr ‘an al-Ma‘āṣī)
Restraining oneself from harām desires and prohibitions, such as zina, riba, and lying.
This is often more difficult than performing good deeds because sins are tempting and easily accessible.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا حُلْوَةٌ خَضِرَةٌ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ مُسْتَخْلِفُكُمْ فِيهَا فَيَنْظُرُ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ فَاتَّقُوا الدُّنْيَا وَاتَّقُوا النِّسَاءَ
"Indeed, the world is sweet and green, and Allah has made you successors in it to see how you act. So be cautious of the world and be cautious of women." (Muslim 2742)
3. Patience in Hardships (Ṣabr ‘alā al-Balā’)
Enduring trials such as illness, financial loss, or personal suffering without complaint.
This is a test from Allah to purify the believer and raise their rank.
Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155)
Summary
Ṣabr in obedience: Staying firm in worship despite difficulty.
Ṣabr in avoiding sins: Resisting desires and harām temptations.
Ṣabr in hardships: Bearing trials with contentment and seeking Allah’s reward.
Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
"Patience in obeying Allah is greater than patience in hardships because obedience is continuous, while trials are temporary."
True patience leads to Allah’s love and reward:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
"Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153)
