Basic
Al-Baqarah
Surah: Al-Baqarah (155)
Give Glad Tidings to the Patient — Three Types of Patience and a Great Station
وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
— البقرة الآية 155
Verse: "And give good tidings to the patient — those who, when afflicted with a calamity, say: 'Indeed to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.'" (2:155-157)
Why does the glad tidings come first?
Logically: "The patient ones who...those have blessings...give them glad tidings." But Allah placed "give glad tidings" at the very start — as if the calamity itself is surrounded by good news from the beginning. Reassurance before you even know what the news is.
Three types of patience:
"Indeed to Allah we belong and to Him we return":
Affirming ownership (I am His servant and property) and affirming return (everything returns to Him). One who truly believes these two has nothing left to be afflicted by.
Why does the glad tidings come first?
Logically: "The patient ones who...those have blessings...give them glad tidings." But Allah placed "give glad tidings" at the very start — as if the calamity itself is surrounded by good news from the beginning. Reassurance before you even know what the news is.
Three types of patience:
- Patience in obedience — performing duties when the soul resists
- Patience from sins — restraining the self when desire pulls
- Patience in calamities — as described here
"Indeed to Allah we belong and to Him we return":
Affirming ownership (I am His servant and property) and affirming return (everything returns to Him). One who truly believes these two has nothing left to be afflicted by.
Source: Ibn Kathir (1/440); Ibn Al-Qayyim, Madarij (2/152); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What are the three types of patience, and which is best according to Ibn Al-Qayyim?
Show Answer