Patience

Boy have I received a lot of criticism for defending GPs in the last couple of blogs. Is there anyone who likes GPs? Doesn't look like it. I think it'll be better if I stay well clear of the subject for now. I don't enjoy being this defensive.

My wife and I made our first baby purchase over the weekend and it was a rather hefty one. We bought the cot, mattress, pushchair, car seat and car seat base all from a warehouse in Bedford and the total price was very reasonable. For those interested, after reading my pushchair blog, we went for the Phil & Teds Sport in black. No Graco in the end.

Was up late last night watching the climax of Andy Murray's fabulous win over the world no.1 Rafael Nadal, in doing so he became the first Brit male since 1997 to feature in a Grand Slam final, and if he wins, he'll become the first Brit male since 1936 to win a Grand Slam. Only the small matter of beating arguably the best ever player the world has seen - Roger Federer - in order to achieve that. Should hopefully be an exciting match tonight.

Being Ramadan, I wanted to blog at least once a week on various religious topics that interest me in the hope of interesting you. Today I wanted to talk about 'Patience.' In the Quran, God asks us to "...be patient and persevering, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere." (Surah 8, Verse 46). Life is a test, a struggle. How patient we are during this struggle inevitably determines our reward from God.

What do you think about when you think of 'patience'? I think about having the ability to endure without complaint. To take things as they come and rather than feel negative or angry or depressed to try and focus on the positives. This is sometimes easier said then done. At times when I've found it difficult, I've often tried to focus on the fundamentals of life. When something has had a really negative effect on me I think about my basics: a loving wife, good family and friends, a good job, a good car, etc etc. That is what I feel defines patience - but it is only the beginning. Like most important values in Islam, it can be taken a whole lot further.

Imam Ali (a.s.) explains that patience comprises of four attributes: Eagerness, fear, piety and anticipation of death. "So, whoever is eager for Paradise will ignore evil temptations; whoever fears the fire of Hell will abstain from sins; whoever practices piety will easily bear the difficulties and hardships of the life of this world and whoever anticipates death will hasten to perform good deeds." (Al-Aimidi, Hadith #2897).

There are various degrees of patience, and the merit and reward vary in accordance with degree and level. Imam Ali (a.s.) states that “Patience is of three kinds: patience at the time of affliction, patience in regard to obedience, and patience in regard to dis­obedience (of Allah). And the third one is superior to the first two kinds.” We believe that our good deeds in this life will be rewarded in the hereafter and by keeping that at the forefront of our minds, dealing with difficulties and hardship should become easier - looking at the long-term goal. We increase our nearness to God by displaying patience throughout life.

Being negative, angry and anxious at the time of personal struggle (financial loss, death, natural disasters etc) are the signs of a soul's weakness. Patience strengthens the will and the power of resolution to overcome adverse circumstances, make rational decisions and act wisely. If a person bears patiently with misfortunes and calamities, endures the hardships that come with worship and tolerates the difficulties arising from the renunciation of forbidden pleasures for the sake of God, it gradually becomes easier and allows the person to move to the next level of patience.

Ah yes, levels of patience. Because life is a struggle, achieving success in certain virtues allows us to move to the next part - to move closer to God, to continue the struggle. For patience it starts with what I've been describing so far: Patience in God - Steadfastness whilst trying to get rid of evil habits (lying, greed, backbiting) and ugly traits (anger, ego, hypocrisy) and practicing abstinence from the objects of desire during self-purification (i.e. everything we do in the month of Ramadan).

Next comes Patience with God - a level of selflessness that allows one to witness intimacy with God. All traces of self-love, pride etc are removed. After that comes Patience from God - after receiving blessings from God, having to continue to endure the trials of this world, separated from God. Imam Ali (a.s.) asks in Dua Kumayl “O my God, my Master and my Lord! Even if I were able to endure Thy chastisement, how shall I bear Thy separation?". Finally comes Patience for God - the state of perfection, achieved when one has the ability to exist only with God and moulds himself with the moulds of Allah.

The previous paragraph describes what can be achieved, but for now the focus should remain on the first level - Patience in God. We are here to be tested and having the ability to be patient during the tests and struggles endears us towards God. Controlling our anger, our hatred, our pride and instead displaying patience and endurance are qualities that God commends. God speaks about its importance in the Quran:

• "Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere" (Surah 2, Verse 155)
• "Therefore endure with a goodly Patience." (Surah 70, Verse 5)

The Imam's had to display tremendous patience throughout their lives. None more so than Imam Husain (a.s.) during the events of Karbala. He could have displayed anger and thirst for revenge, but instead he showed us the greatest patience by enduring the events of Karbala and providing the ultimate sacrifice to save the religion of Islam. Imam Ali (a.s.) was denied the Caliphate of the Muslims after the demise of the Holy Prophet - again, he could have shown anger and hatred to those who took away his right, but he remained patient in order to safeguard Islam.

We have these great examples throughout history. Events which required the greatest levels of patience imaginable. We will never (inshallah) have to endure such struggles - but what we do endure, we must do so with patience and restraint. We must develop the ability to be patient, to constantly show humbleness and modesty in order to receive God's blessings. Displaying anger, hatred, revenge are all qualities which will not help us and often make the situation worse.

I know today's topic has been a bit difficult to understand, but I wanted to attempt to describe patience - especially during this month as it is something we need to show the most during the time of fasting, whist we abstain from worldly pleasures. I hope some of it makes sense and hope that we can all strive to achieve patience inshallah.

Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?