Hadits On Patience
“A believer who mixes with people and endures their troubles is better than a believer whodoes not mix with people and does not endure their troubles.”1
This hadith primarily emphasizes that a Muslim is a civilized and social being. Accordingly, a Muslim is involved in life. A perfect believer is not someone who withdraws to live their own life, ignoring others’ problems and not considering the happiness of others in both this world and the hereafter.
The hadith states in advance that when one interacts with people, they will inevitably face trouble from them. Enduring this requires patience.In a hadith where our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) describes three people loved by God, he mentions one of them as someone who endures the troubles caused by a neighbor with patience.2
The greatest form of patience is likely the patience shown towards people. The problems that come from people are varied. By our very nature as humans, we may have habits and inclinations. Every person has a different disposition and creation, making it difficult for us to be patient with those whose temperaments do not align with ours. Even more challenging is dealing with certain individuals who particularly cause us trouble and continuously test us. In short, some people in both our immediate and extended circles are a test for us. The degree of the troubles will vary according to our sensitivity. It should also be remembered that we, too, might be a source of trouble and a test for others.In one of his prayers, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) made three requests from God (glorified and exalted be He). Two of his requests were accepted, but his plea, “O God, let there be no discord and division among my ummah,” was not accepted. This is because discord and division are issues that can be overcome with our own will.
Therefore, we are tasked with using our wills, which form the basis of our tests, to get along well with people and to seek ways to overcome the problems between us.Indeed, the Qur’an also states, “We have made some of you a trial for others.” 3
What Is The Purpose Of Life?
By the nature of being human, the forces and mechanisms placed in our nature, such as intellect, anger, and desire, will experience excesses and deficiencies, leading to tensions and difficulties in society.
A community that represents uprightness and continues this representation with great determination will endure all these troubles tirelessly and persistently so that they can act as a lightning rod for society. Yes, a true believer is someone who can get along well even with cobras.However, while living among people, it is important to be careful not to fall into sin. In this regard, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said, “Mix with people, but do not harm your religion!” Abu Dharr also mentioned that a good friend is better than being alone, and being alone is better than having a bad friend. It can be said that the middle path in this matter is to be with righteous people.
Alongside this hadith, it is necessary to mention and explain the apparent contradiction with the following hadith: “A time will come when the best property of a person will be sheep, which he will follow to the mountain tops and places where rain falls, fleeing with his religion from tribulations.”4
Yes, the apparent contradiction between the hadith encouraging interaction with people and the hadith advocating seclusion is resolved by understanding that the former is general and the latter is specific to a person and time, namely during times of tribulation. Some individuals are better off withdrawing for their own sake. For example, during the Meccan period, Abu Dharr openly declared his Islam at the Kaaba and was severely beaten.
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) then told him, “Go back to your village now.” This example of Abu Dharr shows that there are times and individuals for whom the latter hadith is applicable.Indeed, every era has its own method of service.
However, generally speaking, Muslims are involved in life. They embrace life entirely and enrich it with their values. If they isolate themselves from society, how can they convey the precious values they represent to the community?In conclusion, the essential thing is to be involved in life, to be with people, to be harmonious, patient, and always actively working to spread goodness. Secluding oneself is an exceptional situation that applies to certain times and specific individuals with particular dispositions.
Selçuk Camcı
Selçuk Camcı graduated from the Faculty of Theology in 1992. He completed his master’s degree in the Department of Hadith and is a doctoral student in Islamic Law. He worked as an editor for religious publications, primarily in Yeni Ümit Magazine. He received chaplaincy training in the United States.Footnotes:1.Ibn Majah, Fitan, 23; Tirmidhi, Qiyamah, 56.2.Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 35/269; Ali al-Muttaqi, Kanz al-Ummal, 15/819.3.Al-An’am, 6/53.4.Bukhari, Iman, 12; Bad’ al-Khalq, 14; Manaqib, 25; Riqaq, 34; Fitan, 14; Muwatta, Isti’dhan, 16.