Section C:

Issue:
Man Losing Temper and Viciously Assaulting Wife for Scratching BMW in an Accident.

Description:
Patience or Sabr is a central Islamic value and teaching meaning to hold one’s soul from
being impatient and displeased, holding the tongue from complaining and the body parts from
harming himself or others. The various degrees and levels of Sabr as indicated by the noble
traditions and the reward and merit vary in accordance with degree and level. It is repeatedly
stressed and is repeated 58 times in the Quran, indicating the great importance that the Quran
gives to patience and avoidance. In truth, patience is an attribute which without it, the thought
of Islam is unimaginable. Our worldly life is filled with challenges. This is because we are
presently living in a world where everyone is free. This freedom creates competition and
challenges leading to the emergence of problems. Referring to the issue stated above the
problem discussed is impatience. The man’s lack of patience caused him to lose sight of the
teachings of Islam about patience when faced with problems. Everyone hates calamities and
afflictions and prefer that they are not affected by them. However, the lack of trials and
tribulations in one’s life is unlikely as stated by Allah in section A, Quranic ayat number 1,
(Sahih International) 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. They must remember
that they are in a test and have to be patient and content with Allah to pass the test. Moreover,
the Muslim should remember that he or she will be rewarded for whatever afflictions that
befall him or her.
Causes of the Problem:
An impatient person never wants to wait for others, or does so with great reluctance. When
things do not go to plan, the person will feel dread and anxiety. An impatient person usually
feels a great sense of urgency to get things over with and to move on to the next thing, the
next task, the next place, the next stop. There are various reasons why people are impatient.
People, who tend to get angry quickly, usually lack patience. Impatience leads to anger and
vice versa. A person who has a short attention span is faster to become impatient, especially
if he or she has to focus on something more than a few moments. Most people want instant
gratification. They want results now, but this is not always possible. They do not want to
wait, and they do not want to invest time and effort. If you have many tasks to carry out, you
might get impatient when things go slowly, or when you face obstacles. Waiting too long
awakens impatience. This happens when one waits for the bus, waits for a friend to arrive, or
when there is a delay at the airport. When you need to wait too much time for something to
happen, impatience often creeps in. If someone makes a promise and does not fulfil it, you
might lose your patience. For example, if your boss promises you a promotion, but nothing
happens, or if someone does not return a book or money, which he borrowed from you, you
would most probably become impatient. This might lead to anger, unhappiness and lack of
satisfaction. This man for example was obsessed with the material things in his life and
lacked faith in Islam. His impatience caused him to lash out against his wife for her mistake.
The material world serves as only a temporary place and a distraction for the akhirah. The
man’s weak Iman caused him to become obsessed with this world and forget about the life in
the hereafter.

Solutions:
Therefore the man should exercise patience upon receiving the news about his car rather than
assault his wife. Understand that the agitation and anguish inside him bring disgrace to his
image and are futile to confront the trials upon. During the times of hardships, increase
ibadah towards Allah. Maintain the five daily prayers and practice the Sunnah acts.
Supplement regularly to Allah and constantly praise his existence. As said in Surah Hud ayah
11:115 in Section A, (Sahih International) And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to
be lost the reward of those who do good. Practice patience and contentment will flood his
hearts such that all worldly desires and attachments will become worthless in his eyes. He
should reflect upon the Book of Allah and what He has enjoined upon us of patience. Make
dua to Allah alone using doas from the Quran and Sunnah. He should study the life of our
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his companions, and our early
generations, and see how they bore tests and hardships with patience, so that he can follow
their example. In times of sorrow and stress, contemplating the names of God can bring great
relief.  It can also help us focus on being calm and patient.  It is important to understand that
although the believer is encouraged not to thrash about in grief and anguish or to complain
about the stresses and problems, he is allowed to turn to God and supplicate to Him and to
ask Him for relief.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Muslims will endure many trials throughout life such. From calamity and
oppression to ingratitude in the face of prosperity. A Muslim must remain patient with the
command and decree of Allah so as to avoid injustice, selfishness, and various evil deeds that
might come about during a test. Allah says in Surah Hud ayah 11:11

The one who is fortunate and guided should ask about that which will benefit him in both his
religious and worldly affairs, not that which may harm him; he should ask about sublime
characteristics and not talk about foolish behaviour; he should seek out stories of the
righteous early generations in situations in which they set an example to be followed, and not
search for and seek out moments of human weakness, from which no one is entirely free as
they go through the ups and downs of life. The one who does this is the fortunate one whom
Allah has guided to seek beneficial knowledge and look for the right examples to follow. It
becomes easy for us to exercise patience when we realize that it is impossible to count all the
blessings God has bestowed upon us. The air we breathe, the sunshine on our faces, the wind
through our hair, the rain on the parched earth and the glorious Quran, God’s words to us are
all among the innumerable blessings of God upon us.  Remembering God and contemplating
His greatness is the key to patience, and patience is a key to Paradise everlasting, God’s
greatest blessing for the fragile creatures called humankind. There is great judgment behind
the trials and tests we go through in our difficult time. All the calamities we face and the
troubles which come on our way are character builders which make us stronger than
before. Imam ‘Ali (a) said: “The one who practices Sabr will never be deprived of success,
even though it may take a long time.” [Nahjul Balagha, saying # 153]

Here sabr (fortitude) also implies another meaning, that is, steadfastness, sthe antonym of
shallowness etc. that has been mentioned in the preceding verse. Those “Who are steadfast”
remain fine and unwavering in their purpose in spite of the vicissitudes of life. They are not
influenced by the changes of circumstances but stick to the right reasonable and correct
attitudes they have adopted. They do not give themselves airs nor become intoxicated nor
over jubilant and boastful if they win power, prosperity and name. On the contrary, they are
neither subdued nor depressed if they are visited by adversity. In short, they come out
successful in their trial by Allah, whether it be in the shape of favor or adversity and remain
steadfast in both the cases.

Soures:
http://www.spiritofislam.co.in/spiritnew/index.php/the-importance-of-patience-in-islam
https://alfarooqcentre.com/en/islam/definition-of-islam/
https://www.cpsglobal.org/content/importance-patience-islam
http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/impatience/
https://darussalamblog.com/benefits-patience-quran-sunnah/
https://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/personal-development/why-people-are-
impatient/
http://www.newmuslim.net/featured/how-to-be-patient/
https://www.al-islam.org/articles/merits-soul-patience-sabr
https://productivemuslim.com/patience-productivity-and-hardship/

Impatience is one of seven basic character flaws or “dark” personality traits. Impatience is
usually defined as irritation with anything that causes delay or easily annoyed by
someone's mistakes or because you have to wait. Thus the only way to deal with the irritating
side to daily life is to have patience. Patience will ensure that whenever one has some bitter
experience, he will choose to tolerate it rather than reacting outrageously. For example, the
man above did not exercise patience, which resulted in him abusing his wife over a car.
Indeed, showing discontent cannot change what has already happened. There is no use of
being angry. On the contrary, behaving this way deprives him of the rewards he will gain as a
result of being patient. If a person bears patiently with misfortunes and calamities for some
time and seriously endures the hardships entailed during worship, rites and the bitterness
arising from the renunciation of forbidden pleasures, and if all this is done for the sake of
obedience to his Lord and Provider, it gradually becomes easy for him to bear with the
hardships and difficulties. The soul of a patient person relinquishes its earlier uncontrolled
state and he develops an enduring luminous faculty that raises him over the station of Sabr to
reach other higher spiritual stations.