Central Khutbah: “Patience (sabr) – A Lesson for a Peaceful Life”

Sabr, or patience, is one of the essential qualities that a believer must cultivate. It means being steadfast in worship (ibadat), refraining from sins, and remaining patient through trials and hardships. Sabr is neither weakness nor passivity, but rather a strength rooted in faith and trust in Allah. It is an inner resilience that helps a person remain calm and composed, regardless of the circumstances.

The Qur’an clearly emphasizes the value of sabr:

“Seek help through patience and prayer – indeed, it is a burden except for the humble.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 45)

“And We will surely test you with a bit of fear and hunger and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. But give good tidings to the patient.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 155)

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are patient.”
(Surah Al-Imran, verse 146)

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”
(Surah Az-Zumar, verse 10)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever strives to be patient, Allah will grant him sabr. And no one has been given a gift better and more comprehensive than sabr.”
(Hadith reported by Bukhari, no. 1469, and Muslim, no. 1053)

He also said:

“When a misfortune befalls a Muslim and he says what Allah has commanded: ‘Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me in this affliction and grant me something better in return,’ Allah will surely grant him something better.”
(Muslim, no. 918)

He further said:

“Whomever Allah wants to guide, He tests him. And whoever shows sabr, Allah will increase him in sabr. No one has been granted a gift better and more abundant than sabr.”
(Bukhari, no. 1469)

And also:

“The greatness of the reward is proportionate to the severity of the trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is content, Allah is pleased with him. But whoever is discontent, Allah is displeased with him.”
(Tirmidhi, no. 2396, hasan-sahih)

Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:

The Prophet ﷺ passed by a woman crying at a grave. He said to her: “Fear Allah and be patient (have sabr).” She replied: “Leave me alone! You haven’t suffered what I have!” – not realizing it was the Messenger of Allah. When she was informed, she went to his door, found no guards, and said: “I did not recognize you.” He replied: “True sabr is at the first strike.”
(Bukhari, no. 1283; Muslim, no. 926)

One of the most beautiful examples of sabr is found in the life of the companion Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr. In one single day, he suffered two great calamities: one of his legs had to be amputated due to illness, and that same day, his beloved son passed away. Upon hearing the news, he said:

“O Allah, to You belongs all praise. You gave me seven sons and took one. You gave me four limbs and took one. If You have tested me – You had often protected me before that. If You have taken – You had often given before. And I ask You, O Allah, to reunite me with them both in Paradise.”
(Adh-Dhahabi, Siyar A‘lam An-Nubala’, 4/422)

A few days later, he entered upon the caliph and saw an old man with a disfigured face and blind eyes. The caliph said: “O Urwah, ask this man about his story.” Urwah asked him: “What is your story, O shaykh?” The old man replied:

“O Urwah, know that one night I lay down in a valley, and I did not know anyone richer than me – in wealth, livestock, and children. That night a flood struck and swept away all my children, wealth, and animals. When morning came, I was left with nothing but this broken face, curved back, and blind eyes. And I said: ‘O Allah, if You have taken, You have also left. If You have tested me, You have also protected me in other ways. To You belongs all praise for what You have taken, and to You belongs all praise for what You have left.’”
(Adh-Dhahabi, Siyar A‘lam An-Nubala’, 4/423)

When a believer is struck by calamity, he knows that nothing happens outside of Allah’s will. He does not despair nor turn to people, but returns to Allah saying:

“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 156)

He calls upon Allah to grant him sabr and strength:

“Our Lord, pour upon us sabr, make our steps firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 250)

“My Lord, help me, for they have denied me.”
(Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 26)

“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
(Surah Al-Imran, verse 173)

The question “How long must I have sabr with others?” often arises when we are worn out by people’s behavior, injustices, or ingratitude. But the believer does not follow his emotions – he turns his gaze toward his Lord. Sabr is not weakness nor surrender, it is a conscious choice to endure hardship for the sake of pleasing Allah. The limit of sabr is defined by divine mercy.

That’s why the words of Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, are so powerful and full of wisdom:

“When you no longer have sabr with someone, remember how much sabr Allah has with you.”
(Al-Jami‘ li Ahkamid-Din, Ibn Abdil-Barr, 2/324 – a wise saying attributed to Abu Bakr)

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on July 11, 2025, at the “Association Islamique Ihsan” in Dudelange)