Chapter 5

On Perseverance

54- Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted on the authority of the Prophet of God (a.s): “There shall come a time when people cannot get into power except by being jealous and seizure of people's property; cannot become popular except by abandoning religion and following their selfish desires. God will reward anyone who lives in that time; and is patient with poverty although he can acquire wealth; and is patient with baseness although he can attain glory. His reward will be equal to the reward of fifty believers who have acknowledged Me.”

55- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God the Almighty sent a Prophet to a nation and asked him to fight with them. The Prophet complained to God about being weak. God the Almighty said: “Either choose to fight, or go to hell with them.” That Prophet (a.s) said: “O' my Lord! I cannot withstand the Fire.” Then God revealed to him that he would become victorious during that same year. Then that Prophet told his followers that God had ordered them to go to war, and he has said they are weak. But God has said either to fight or go to Hell. He told his followers to choose between fighting and going to Hell. They said that they could not withstand the Fire. Then he told them that God had revealed to him that they would be victorious during that same year. They said they would do whatever he ordered them to do.” Then Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God appointed another Prophet and ordered him to go fight a nation. He complained of his weakness, and God the Almighty revealed to him that they would be victorious after fifteen years. When he told his followers about this, they said: “There is no strength nor power but in, or by means of, God the High, the Great.” He then told them that God has revealed to him that they will be victorious after fifteen years. They said: “Whatever God decides. There is no strength nor power but in, or by means of, God the High, the Great.” Since they entrusted their affairs to God, God made them victorious that same year.”

( 61 )

الفصل الخامس

في الصبر

54. عن الصادق عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: يأتي على الناس زمانٌ لا يُنال فيه المُلك إلا بالقتل والتَجبُّر، ولا الغنى إلا بالغصب والبُخل، ولا المحَبّة إلا باستخراج الدينِ واتّباعِ الهَوى، فَمَن أدرك ذلك الزمان فَصَبَر علىَ البَغضة وهو يقدر علَى المحَبّة، وصَبَرَ على الفقر وهو يقدر على الغنى، وصَبَرَ علَى الذُلّ وهو يقدر علَى العِزّ؛ آتاه الله ثواب خمسين صِدّيقا ممّن صَدّق به.

55. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: بعث الله نبيّا إلى قومٍ وأمره أنْ يُقاتلهم، فشكى إلى الله الضعف، فقال: اختر القتال أو النار، قال: يا رَبِّ لا طاقة لي بالنار فأوحَى الله إليه أنّ النصر يأتيك في سَنَتِك هذه، فقال ذلك النبيّ لأصحابه: إنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي قد أمرني بقتال بني فلانٍ فقلتُ: لا طاقةَ لنا بقِتالهم، فقال: اختر القتال أو النار، قالوا: لا طاقةَ لنا بالنار، فقال: إنّ الله قد أوحى أنّ النصر يأتيني في سَنَتي هذه، قالوا: تفعلُ ونفعلُ وتكونُ ونكونُ، قال: وبعث الله نبيّا آخر إلى قومٍ وأمره أنْ يُقاتلهم، فشكى إلى الله الضعف، فأوحى الله سبحانه و تعالي أنّ النصر يأتيك بعدَ خمسة عشر سَنَةً، فقال لأصحابه: إنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي أمرني بقتال بني فلانٍ فشكوت إليه الضعف، فقالوا: لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوّةَ إلا بالله، فقال لهم: إنّ الله قد أوحى إليَّ أنّ النصرَ يأتيني بعدَ خمسة عشر سنةً، فقالوا: ما شاء الله لا حول ولا قوّة إلا بالله، قال: فأتاهم الله بالنصر في سنتهم، تلك لتفويضهم إلى الله وقولهم ما شاء الله، لا حول ولا قوّة إلا بالله.

( 62 )

56- Imam Reza (a.s) quoted upon the authority of his noble father: “My father, Imam Sadiq (a.s), ordered me to go to Mafzal ibn-i-Amr, and express condolences upon the death of Ismail. He said: “Send my greetings to Mafzal and tell him that we were patient with Ismail, so you should be patient as we were. Indeed whenever we will something and God wills otherwise, we submit to God's will.

57- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “One of the signs of reliance is not to fear anyone but God.”

58- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Patience is due to certitude.”

59- Abdullah ibn-i-Abbas said: “God's Prophet rode on a mule that either Qaisar or Kasra 1 had donated to him. He grabbed its hair and helped me ride behind him and said: “Young fellow, remember God, so that He protects you. Remember God so that you will always see Him. Remember God whenever you are about to err so that He helps you during times of hardship. Whenever you want to ask a question, ask it from God. Whenever you need help, ask God for help. Destiny has already specified what must take place. If people try to help you get what God has not destined for you, they will not succeed in doing so. If you can be patient and have certitude, then do so. If not, just be patient, as there is much benefit in being patient regarding what is very difficult for you. Know that victory is associated with patience, and relief is associated with suffering hardships. There always comes relief after suffering hardships.”

60- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Patience is the upper-most part of faith.”

61- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The relationship between patience and faith is similar to that of head and body. If there is no head, there cannot be any body. So if there is no patience, there cannot be any faith.”

62- Hafs ibn Ghyas narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “O' Hafs! Whoever is patient has been patient for a little bit, and whoever is impatient has been impatient for a little bit.
____________
1-Same as Ceaser or Chrosroe

( 63 )

56. عن الرضا عن أبيه عليهما السلام قال: أمرني أبي -يعني أبا عبد الله عليه السلام- أن آتي المفضّل بن عُمر فأُعزّيه بإسماعيل، وقال: أقرئ المفضّل السلام وقُل له: إنّا أصبنا بإسماعيل فصبرنا، فاصبر كما صبرنا، إنّا إذا أردنا أمرا وأراد الله أمرا سلّمناه لأمر الله.

57. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام: ومِن التوكّل أنْ لا تخاف مع الله غيره.

58. من كتاب المحاسن: قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: الصبرُ من اليقين.

59. عن عبد الله بن العبّاس قال: أُهدي إلى الرسول صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم بَغلةً أهداها كسرى له أو قيصر، فركبها النبيّ صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم فأخذ من شعرها وأردفني خلفه، ثمّ قال يا غلام! احفظ الله يحفظك، احفظ الله تجده أمامك، تعرّف إلى الله سبحانه و تعالي في الرخاء يعرفك في الشدّة، إذا سألتَ فاسأل الله، وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله قد مَضى القلم بما هو كائنٌ، فلو جهد الناس أن ينفعوك بأمرٍ لم يكتبه الله عليك لم يقدروا عليه، فإنْ استطعت أن تعمل بالصبر مع اليقين فافعل وإنْ لم تستطع فاصبر، فإنّ في الصبر على ما تكره خيراً كثيراً، واعلم أنّ الصبر مع النصر، وأنّ الفَرَجَ مع الكرب، وأنّ مع العُسر يسراً.

60. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: الصبرُ رأسُ الإيمان.

61. عنه عليه السلام قال: الصبر من الإيمان بمنزلة الرأس من الجَسَدَ، فإذا ذهب الرأس ذهب الجسد، كذلك إذا ذهب الصبر ذهب الإيمان.

62. عن حفص بن غياث قال: قال لي أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: يا حفص! إنّ مَن صَبَرَ صَبَرَ قليلاً، وإنّ مَن جَزَعَ جَزَعَ قليلاً.

( 64 )

Then he added: "Make sure that you are patient in all affairs, since when God appointed Muhammad to Prophethood, He ordered him to be patient, and said: "And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity). And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life who (yet) deny the Truth." (The Holy Quran: Muzzammil 73:10-11) And God the Almighty the High said: "Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he, between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune." (The Holy Quran: Ha-Mim 41:34-35) The Prophet (a.s) was patient even though they made great accusations against him (such as being mad, a magician, a liar)."

63- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "Daily bread is threatened by foolishness, deprivation is cured by intelligence, and calamities require certitude and patience."

64- Mehran said that he wrote a letter to Imam Kazim (a.s) and complained about having a lot of doubts and being in a bad state of affairs. The Imam (a.s) replied: "Be patient until you are rewarded by God, since if you are not patient, you will not get any divine rewards and cannot prevent divine destiny either."

65- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "A free man remains free under all circumstances. He will be patient if he suffers from a calamity. He will not break down if he is stormed with catastrophes, even if he is captured in war, or is hurt and his comfort turns into hardship. An example is the Prophet Joseph (a.s), who was deported, imprisoned and hurt, but his freedom was not affected in the least bit. The darkness of the well (in which he was left by his brothers), and whatever else that happened to him did not hurt him at all. Then God honored him and turned the tables around. He made the oppressor who ruled over him his servant. He appointed Joseph to be His Prophet, and brought His Mercy upon a nation through him.

( 65 )

ثمّ قال: عليك بالصبر في جميع أمورك، فإنّ الله تبارك وتعالى بعث محمّداً صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمفأمره بالصبر والرفق، فقال: )وَاصْبِرْ عَلى ما يَقُولُونَ وَاهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلاً * وَذَرْني وَالْمُكَذِّبِينَ(وقال الله تبارك وتعالى: (ادْفَعْ بِالَّتي هِيَ أحْسَنُ فإِذا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَليٌّ حَميمٌ * وَما يُلقّاها إلا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَما يُلَقَّاها إلا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ(فصبر صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمحتّى نالوه بالعظائم ورموه بها... تمام الخبر.

63. قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: وُكّل الرزق بالحُمق، ووُكّل الحِرمان بالعقل، ووُكّل البلاء باليقين والصبر.

64. عن مهران قال: كتبتُ إلى أبي الحسن عليه السلام أشكو إليه الدَّين وتغيّر الحال، فكتب لي: اصبر تؤجَر، فإنّك إنْ لم تصبر لم تؤجَر ولم تردّ قضاء الله سبحانه و تعالي .

65. وقال الصادق عليه السلام: إنّ الحُرّ حُرٌّ على جميع أحواله، إن نابته نائبة صبر لها، وإنّ تداكت عليه المصائب لم تكسّره، وإن أُسِرَ وقُهِر واستُبدِلَ باليُسر عُسراً كما كان يوسف الصدّيق الأمين عليه السلام لم يضرر حرّيته إن استعبد وقُهر وأُسر ولم تضرره ظُلْمة الجبّ ووحشته، وما ناله أن منّ الله عليه فجعل الجبّار العاتي له عبدا بعد أن كان مالكاً له، فأرسله ورحم به أمة.

( 66 )

This is an example of practicing the art of patience well. You should be patient, too. You will be victorious. Remain patient until you get divine rewards."

66- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "There are two types of patience. Patience with calamities is good, but patience with what God has forbidden is even better."

67- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "When the time came for my father to pass away, he hugged me and said: "O' my dear son! I advise you to do what my father advised me to do at the time of his death and what his father had advised likewise. My son! Be patient with the truth, even if it is bitter."

68- Imam Baqir (a.s) quoted on the authority of the Prophet (a.s): "I am amazed by a believer. God the Almighty does not destine anything for him unless there is some benefit in it for him. He should be patient if he is suffering from a calamity, and he should be grateful if he is granted something."

69- Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked: "Who is the dearest creature to God?" He replied: "Whoever is patient whenever a calamity befalls him, and is grateful whenever he is granted something."

70- Imam Baqir (a.s) quoted on the authority of God's Prophet (a.s): "God the Almighty said: "The dearest one to me is one who lives a simple life (is not attached to worldly life); benefits from prayers and worships God in private lives among the people (and is not famous); is patient with a low amount of divinely-destined daily bread; and dies with few inheritors, and a few people to cry over his death."

71- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: Whoever is patient when a calamity befalls him and declares that there is no return except to God, and is content with divine orders, will receive divine rewards. Whoever does not do so will also be subject to divine orders, but he is blameworthy and God will cancel his reward."

72- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "A believer's nature is to be patient in the face of hardships."

73- Jabir narrated that Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "The Prophet (a.s) did not let Khadijeh cry over the death of their son Tahir.

( 67 )

وكذلك الصبر يعقّب خيراً، فاصبروا تظفروا وواظبوا على الصبر تؤجروا.

66. وقال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: الصَبرُ صَبران: صبرٌ عند المصيبة حسنٌ جميلٌ، وأحسن من ذلك الصبر عند ما حرّم الله عليك، والذِكرُ ذِكران: ذِكرُ الله سبحانه و تعالي عند المصيبة، وأفضلُ من ذلك ذكر الله عند ما حرم الله عليك فيكون حاجزاً.

67. قال الباقر عليه السلام: لمّا حضرت أبي عليّ بن الحسين عليهما السلام الوفاة ضَمّني إلى صَدره، ثمّ قال: أي بُنَي! أوصيك بما أوصاني به أبي حين حضرتْه الوفاة وبما ذكر أنّ أباه عليه السلام أوصاه به، أي بُنَي! اصبر على الحقّ وإنْ كان مُرّاً.

68. عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: عجباً للمؤمن! إنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي لا يقضي له قضاءً إلا كان له خيراً، إنْ ابتُلي صبر، وإنْ أعطى شكر.

69. قيل لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام: مَن أكرم الخلق على الله؟ قال: مَن إذا أعطى شكر، وإذا ابتُلي صبر.

70. عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: قال الله سبحانه و تعالي :إنّ مِن أغبط أوليائي عندي رجلا خفيف الحال ذا خطر، أحسَنَ عبادةَ ربّهِ في الغيب وكان غامضا في الناس، جعل رزقه كفافا فصبر عليه، مات فقلّ تراثه وقلّ بواكيه.

71. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: مَن صَبَر واسترجع وحَمِدَ الله عند المصيبة فقد رضيَ بما صنع الله ووقع أجره على الله، ومَن لم يفعل ذلك جرى عليه القضاء وهو ذميم وأحبط الله أجره.

72. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: المؤمن يطبع على الصبر على النوائب.

73. عن جابر عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: لمّا توفّي الطاهر ابن رسول الله نهى رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمخديجة عن البكاء
.

(68 )

Khadijed agreed, but said that she cried because she had milk. The Prophet (a.s) said: "Don't you want to see him standing at the gate of Heaven, waiting to take your hand when he sees you, and take you to the last spot in the Heaven? "She replied positively. Then the Prophet (a.s) said: "God is nobler and more honorable than to punish someone if He has taken away a loved one and he/she has been patient praising God."

74- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "A child given in the way of God is better than seventy children who remain after one's death who all riding on their horses and going to participate in a holy war."

75- al-Halabi narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "God revealed to David (a.s) that his partner in Heaven will be Khaladeh, the daughter of Aus. He ordered him to go to her and tell her that she would be his spouse in the Hereafter. The Blessed David (a.s) went to her house, knocked at the door, and Khaladeh came to the door. He asked her if she was Khaladeh, the daughter of Aus. She said: "O, Prophet of God! I am not the friend you are looking for." Then David asked her if she was Khaladeh, the daughter of Aus again. She replied positively. Then he told her that she was the right person. She said: "O' Prophet of God! There may be some similarity in name." The Blessed David said: "No, I am not a liar, and have been told the truth. You are the same person that I have been informed about." She said: "O' Prophet of God! I am not saying that you lie, but by God I do not see in myself what you are describing me as." Then the Prophet David (a.s) asked her to tell him about her good characteristics. She said: "Now I will tell you about myself. I am patient with whatever happens to me, be it hunger, illness or whatever other calamity. I have never asked God to remove hardship from me until He himself returns my health, and removes my hardships, and I have never asked for anything in return, and I have always praised God." Then the Prophet David (a.s) said: "It is due to these characteristics that you have reached this position."" Imam Sadiq (a.s) then continued: "By God this religion is the one that God has established for His chosen servants."

( 69 )

فقالت: بلى يا رسول الله، ولكن درت عليه الدريرة فبكيتُ، فقال: أما ترضين أن تجديه قائما لك على باب الجنّة؛ فإذا رآك أخذ بيدك فأدخلك الجنّة أطهرها مكانا وأطيبها؟ قالت: فإنّ ذلك كذلك، قال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: الله أعزّ وأكرم من أن يسلب عبداً ثمرة فؤاده فيصبر ويحتسب ويحمد الله ثمّ يعذّبه.

74. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: وَلَدٌ يقدّمه الرجل أفضل من سبعين وَلدا يخلفهم بعده، كلّهم قد ركبوا الخيل وجاهدوا في سبيل الله.

75. عن الحلبي عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أوحى الله سبحانه و تعالي إلى داود -صلوات الله عليه- أنّ قرينك في الجنّة خلادة بنت أوس، فأتها وأخبرها وبشّرها بالجنّة، وأعلمها أنّها قرينك في الآخرة، فانطلق داود إليها فقرع الباب عليها فخرجت إليه فقال: أنتِ خلادة بنت أوس؟ قالت: يا نبيّ الله لستُ بصاحبتك التي تطلب، قال لها داود: ألستِ خلادة بنت أوس من سِبط كذا وكذا؟ قالت: بلى، قال: فأنتِ هي إذن، فقالت: يا نبيّ الله لعلّ اسما وافق اسما، فقال لها داود: ما كَذِبتُ ولا كُذّبت وإنّكِ لأنتِ هي، فقالت: يا نبيّ الله ما أكذبك، ولا والله ما أعرف من نفسي ما وصفتني به، قال لها داود -صلوات الله عليه: خبّريني عن سريرتك ما هي؟ قالت: أمّا هذا فسأخبرك به، إنّه لم يصبْني وَجَعٌ قد نزل بي من الله تبارك وتعالى كائنا ما كان، ولا نزل بي مرضٌ أو جوعٌ إلا صبرتُ عليه، ولم أسأل الله كشفه حتّى هو يكون الذي يحوّله عنّي إلى العافية والسعة لم أطلب بها بدلاً، وشكرتُ الله عليها وحمدتُه، قال لها داود - صلوات الله عليه: فبهذا النعت بلغتِ ما بلغتِ. ثمّ قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: هذا والله دين الله الذي ارتضاه للصالحين.

( 70 )

76- In Rauzat al-Vaezeen it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Be patient with (the jealous people) who are envious of what God has bestowed upon you, since you cannot punish those who, due to their jealousy, have disobeyed God. It is better that you obey God (and be patient with the jealous ones)."

77- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "There are two forms of patience: patience with what you dislike, and patience with what you like. The relationship between patience and faith is similar to that of the head and the body - that is a body is no good without a head, and faith is no good without patience."

78- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "There are three forms of patience: being patient when obeying God; being patient during times of calamities, and being patient when faced with sin."

79- Imam Baqir (a.s) quoted on the authority of God's Prophet (a.s): "When God the Almighty sent Adam (a.s) from Heaven down to Earth, He ordered him to cultivate the Earth and eat the products of his manual labour. Adam (a.s) was wandering around and cried for two hundred years for being thrown out of Heaven. Then he prostrated to God, and stayed in prostration for three days and nights. Then he said: "O' God! Did You not create me with your own hands?" God replied: "Yes, but were you grateful and patient?" Adam said: "There is no God but You. I oppressed myself. Forgive me since You are the Merciful, the Benevolent." God the Almighty had mercy upon him for crying and accepted his repentance and forgave him. God is kind and accepts repentance."

80- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "People were instructed to do two things, but they ignored both things and thus they lost everything. These two things were having patience and being faithful in keeping secrets."

81- Hafs ibn Ghyas narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) told him: "O' Hafs! Whoever is patient, will be patient for a little while, and whoever is impatient is impatient for a little while (implying that both are transient)."

( 71 )

76. من كتاب روضة الواعظين: قال الصادق عليه السلام: اصبر على أعداء النِعَم فإنّك لن تُكافي مَن عصى الله فيك بأفضل مِن أن تطيع الله فيه.

77. قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: الصَبر صبران: صبرٌ على ما تكره، وصبرٌ على ما تُحبّ. والصبرُ من الإيمان كالرأس مِن الجَسَد، ولا خيرَ في جسدٍ لا رأس معه، ولا في إيمانٍ لا صبر معه.

78. وقال عليه السلام: الصبرُ ثلاثةٌ: صبرٌ على الطاعة، وصبرٌ على المعصية، وصبرٌ على المصيبة.

79. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: إنّ الله تبارك وتعالى حين أهبط آدم - صلوات الله عليه - على الأرض أمر أن يحرث بيده؛ فيأكل من كدّه بعد الجنّة ونعيمها، فلبث يجول ويبكي على الجنّة مائتي سَنة، ثمّ إنّه سجد لله فلم يرفع رأسه ثلاثة أيّام بلياليها، ثمّ قال: يا ربّ ألم تخلقني بِيديك؟ قال الله: قد فعلت؛ فهل صبرتَ أو شكرتَ؟ قال آدم لا إِلهَ إلا أَنْتَ سُبْحانَكَ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسي فاغْفِرْ لي أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ" فرَحِمَ الله تبارك وتعالى بكاءه فتاب عليه، إنّه هو التوّاب الرحيم.

80. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أمر الناس بخصلتين فضيّعوهما فصاروا منهما على غير شيءٍ، الصبرُ والكتمان.

81. عن حفص بن غياث قال: قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: يا حفص، إنّ مَن صَبرَ صَبَرَ قليلاً، وإنّ مَنْ جَزَع جَزَع قليلاً.

( 72 )

82- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "I instruct you to be patient. God the Almighty appointed Muhammad (a.s), and ordered him to be patient. He said:
"And have patience with what they said, and leave them with noble (dignity). And leave Me (alone to deal) with those in possession of the good things of life" (The Holy Quran: Muzzammil 73:10-11)
God the Almighty also said:
"Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune." (The Holy Quran: Fussilat 41:34-35)
God's Prophet (a.s) was patient even though they made great accusations1 against himed him of being a magician, being mad or being a liar. Then God the Almighty revealed the following verse:
"We do indeed know how thy heart is distressed at what they say. But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration." (The Holy Quran: Hijr 15:97-98)
Then they rejected the Prophet (a.s) and he got sad. Thus God revealed the following verse:
"We know indeed the grief which their words do cause thee; it is not thee they reject; it is the signs of God, which the wicked contemn. Rejected were the Apostles before thee: with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them." (The Holy Quran: Anam 6:33-34)
Again the Prophet (a.s) was patient, but they did not stop there. And when he mentioned God's name they rejected God, too. The Prophet (a.s) said: "I was patient with them when they rejected me and my family, but I cannot withstand their rejection of my Lord. Then God revealed the following verse: "We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in Six days, nor did any sense of weariness touch us. Bear, then with patience, all that they say." (The Holy Quran: Qaf 50:38-39)
____________
1 like being a magician, a madman or a liar
( 73 )

82. وقال عليه السلام: عليك بالصبر في جميع أمورك، فإنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي بعث محمّدا فأمره بالصبر والرفق، فقال: (وَاصْبِرْ عَلى ما يَقُولُونَ وَاهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلاً * وَذَرْنِي وَالْمُكَذِّبين أُولي النِّعْمَة) وقال تبارك وتعالى: (ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فإِذا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَميمٌ * وَما يُلَقّاها إلا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَما يُلَقّاها إلا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظيمٍ( فصبر صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم حتّى نالوه بالعظائم ورموه بها فضاق صدره، فأنزل الله) سبحانه و تعالي وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أنَّكَ يَضيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِما يَقُولُونَ * فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ السّاجِدين.( ثمَّ كذّبوه ورموه فحزن لذلك، فأنزل اللهI(قَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذي يَقُولُونَ فإِنَّهُمْ لا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِآياتِ الله يَجْحَدُونَ * وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رَسُلٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا عَلى ما كُذِّبُوا وأوذوا حَتَّى أَتاهُمْ نَصْرُنا( فألزم نفسه الصبر فتعدّوا فذكر الله تبارك وتعالى وكذّبوه، فقال: صبرتُ في نفسي وأهلي وعِرضي ولا صبر لي على ذكرهم إلهي، فأنزل الله سبحانه و تعالي : )وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنا السَّماواتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَما بَيْنَهُما في سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَما مَسَّنا مِنْ لُغُوبٍ * فَاصْبِرْ عَلى ما يَقُولُونَ(.


( 74 )

Then the Prophet (a.s) was patient in all situations. And he was informed about the Prophets being patient. God the Almighty said: "And We appointed from among them, Leaders, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our signs." (The Holy Quran: Sajdah 32:24) Then the Prophet (a.s) said: "The relationship between patience and faith is similar to that of the head and the body." God admired him and sent the following: "The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and we leveled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people erected (with such pride)." (The Holy Quran: A'raf 7:137) Then he said this is an admonition and a reward. Then God revealed the following verse and allowed slaying the Pagans:
"Then fight, and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them. And seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them." (The Holy Quran: Tauba 9:5)
Then God damned them via the Prophet (a.s) and his friends, and set this as a divine reward for his patience in addition to his heavenly reward. Thus whoever is patient and asks God to get near to Him will not die before he gets pleased by seeing what happens to his enemies. And he will also receive rewards in the Hereafter."

83- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "When a believer is placed in his grave, his prayers enter from the right side, his alms enter from the left side and his good deeds make a shadow over him. His patience enters and asks his prayers, his alms and his good deeds to help the believer when the angel comes to ask questions, and says it will also help when needed."

84- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "There are two types of patience: patience in the face of calamities which is good, and patience in abstaining from what is forbidden, which is the best form of patience."

85- Jabir narrated that Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "It is more manly to be patient during times of poverty, need, abstinence, and affluence than to give charity."

86- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: 'Be patient at times of calamities' regarding God's statement: "O' ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy." (The Holy Quran: Al-i-Imran 3:200).

( 75 )

فصبر صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمفي جميع أحواله، ثمّ بُشِّر بالأئمّة ووَصَفَهم بالصبر، فقال جلّ ثناؤه: (وَجَعَلْنا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكانُوا بِآياتِنا يُوقِنُون( فعند ذلك قال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: الصبرُ من الإيمان كالرأس من الجسد، فشكر الله له ذلك فأنزل الله عليه: )وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ الْحُسْنى عَلى بَني إِسْرائِيلَ بِما صَبَرُوا وَدَمَّرْنا ما كانَ يَصْنَعُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَقَوْمُهُ وَما كانُوا يَعْرُشُونَ(. فقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: إنّه البُشرى والانتقام، فأباح الله له قتل المشركين، فأنزل عليه: (فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُوا لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ( فلعنهم الله على لسان رسوله وأحبّائه وجعل له ثواب صبره مع ما ادّخر له في الآخرة، فمن صبر واحتسب لم يخرج من الدنيا حتّى يقرّ الله عينه في أعدائه مع ما أخّرَ له في الآخرة.

83. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إذا أُدخل المؤمن قبره كانت الصلاة عن يمينه، والزكاة عن شماله، والبِرّ مُطَلاًّ عليه، وينحى الصبر ناحيةً، فإذا دخل عليه الملكان اللّذان يليان مسائلته قال: الصبرُ للصلاة والزكاة والبِر: دونكم صاحبكم فإن عجزتم عنه فأنا دونه.

84. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: الصبرُ صبران: صبرٌ على البلاء حسنٌ جميلٌ، وأفضلُ الصبر من الصابرين الورع عن المحارم.

85. عن جابر عنه عليه السلام قال: مروءة الصبر في حال الفاقة والحاجة والتعفّف والغنى أكثر من مروءة الإعطاء.

86. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: في قول الله سبحانه و تعالي : )يا أَيُّها الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصابِرُوا(قال: اصبروا على المصائب.

( 76 )

87- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "God the Almighty granted some blessings to a nation. That nation did not thank God for these blessings. The blessings turned into trouble for them. God brought some calamities upon another nation. They were patient, therefore those calamities were converted into blessings for them."

88- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "There is a rank in heaven which a believer cannot reach unless he suffers some physical calamities."

90- Abu Basir said that he told Imam Sadiq (a.s): "I have been told that God will not take away anyone's eyesight unless He grants him a reward in Heaven." Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "There is some thing there (in Heaven) that is even better." Abu Basir asked: "What is it?" The Imam (a.s) replied: "It is seeing God's face."

( 77 )

87. عنه عليه السلام قال: إنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي أنعم على قومٍ فلم يشكروا فصارت عليهم وبالا، وابتلى قوماً بالمصائب فصبروا فصارت عليهم نعمةً.

88. عنه عليه السلام قال: مَن ابتُلي من المؤمنين ببلاءٍ فصبر عليه كان له مثل أجر ألف شهيدٍ.

89. عنه عليه السلام قال: إنّ في الجنّة لمنزلةً لا يبلغها عبدٌ إلا ببلاءٍ في جسده.

90. عن أبي بصير قال: قلتُ لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام: جُعِلتُ فداك، بلغني أنّه ما ذهب الله بكريمتي عبدٍ فجعل له عوضاً دون الجنّة، قال: يا أبا محمّد، هاهنا ما هو أفضل وأكثر من هذا، فقلت: وأيّ شيءٍ أفضلُ من هذا؟ فقال: النظرُ إلى وجه الله.