Basic
Al-Muzzammil
Surah: Al-Muzzammil (10)
Be Patient Over What They Say — Hardship Is the Path of Every Mission
وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱهۡجُرۡهُمۡ هَجۡرٗا جَمِيلٗا
— المزمل الآية 10
Verse: "And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance"
Reflection:
The command to patience in Surah Al-Muzzammil comes directly after the command to night standing — and this sequence carries deep wisdom: night prayer is the source of energy, and patience under harm is the arena in which that energy is spent.
"Gracious avoidance": This is distancing oneself without retaliation and without spite — you move away from the foolish without descending to their level.
Al-Sadi said: "Avoid them with gracious avoidance: leave them and turn away without harming them — rather with forbearance and pardon."
Historical context: The polytheists were hurting the Prophet with wounding words — so he was first commanded to night standing to fill himself from Allah, then to patience to give from that fullness without breaking.
Lesson: For one who faces injustice and hurtful words: the solution is neither explosion nor collapse, but connection with Allah at night, then gracious patience by day.
Reflection:
The command to patience in Surah Al-Muzzammil comes directly after the command to night standing — and this sequence carries deep wisdom: night prayer is the source of energy, and patience under harm is the arena in which that energy is spent.
"Gracious avoidance": This is distancing oneself without retaliation and without spite — you move away from the foolish without descending to their level.
Al-Sadi said: "Avoid them with gracious avoidance: leave them and turn away without harming them — rather with forbearance and pardon."
Historical context: The polytheists were hurting the Prophet with wounding words — so he was first commanded to night standing to fill himself from Allah, then to patience to give from that fullness without breaking.
Lesson: For one who faces injustice and hurtful words: the solution is neither explosion nor collapse, but connection with Allah at night, then gracious patience by day.
Source: Al-Sadi, Taysir Al-Karim; Ibn Kathir (8/256)
Test Yourself
What is "gracious avoidance" in the verse?
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