Grandpa
Uthman and his Grandson
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As soon as Idrees AS got home from school, he ran to his
grandfather to ask him about something that was on his mind.
"Grandpa," he said, "I want to ask you something."
"What is it, Idrees?" asked Grandpa Uthman.
"Grandpa, on the bus, a lady was telling her friend
how important patience is, and how true patience should
be as it is described in the Qur'an. Can you tell me what
that means, Grandpa?"
Grandpa Uthman nodded: "Most people don't know what
real patience is, or how a patient person should behave.
Some people think that patience just means confronting the
difficulties and frustrations of life and putting up with
them. But Allah teaches us in the Qur'an that real patience
is very different from just putting up with something."
Idrees asked another question: "So, Grandpa, what's
the source of this patience in the Qur'an?"
"You know, Idrees," answered his grandfather,
"that the way to gain Allah's favor, love and pleasure
is to fully obey His laws and commands in the Qur'an. Allah
wants His servants to practice the morality of the Qur'an
fully until the end of their lives. And the secret that
enables them to obey this command, come what may, lies in
the perfect patience that comes from faith. A person who
learns the real meaning of patience can behave in the way
that Allah desires from him and be regular in performing
his prayers. A person of faith knows that Allah's knowledge
and wisdom is in everything, nothing happens without His
permission and that, behind every event, lay the purpose
and all the countless good things that He has created."
"In that case, a person shouldn't be upset at the things
that happen to him, but should always have patience,"
said Idrees.
Grandpa Uthman smiled: "Very true, Idrees. Allah is
the friend, protector and helper of a believer. So, even
if some don't appear so at first sight, all the things that
happen to us are for our own good. For this reason, for
a believer, being patient does not mean being forced to
follow a moral command; on the contrary, it is an act of
worship that he performs with joy and sincere pleasure.
Believers know that whatever happens to them has been created
by Allah and that something good will certainly come out
of it. Because they know that Allah has determined the best
fate for them, they face every event with enormous pleasure
and inner content. In the Qur'an, Allah says: '[Believers
are] those who are steadfast and put their trust in their
Lord.' (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 59)" "In that case,
a believer's patience can't wear out!" exclaimed Idrees
excitedly. "Now I understand what the lady on the bus
was saying."
Grandpa Uthman answered: "Yes, my boy. Human beings
show patience because it is a command from Allah, and so
they will never be in a situation where they will lose it.
Throughout their whole lives they will perform this act
of worship with pleasure and eagerness."
"Thanks Grandpa," said Idrees. "Now I understand
that patience is very important and, if Allah so wills it,
a person's patience will never come to an end."