The Art of Patience

and move on, ensuring that the journey of life continues without interruption. If we reflect on the actions of those 70 passengers, it becomes clear that they did not measure up to this standard of maturity. Had they simply endured the temporary discomfort of a failed air-conditioner, their problem would have remained a single inconvenience—tolerating a little heat for a while. But because they lacked patience, their one problem multiplied into many. In this world, not everything can always go according to one’s wishes. Life, by its nature, involves accepting loss. A person who cannot accept one loss will, in the end, have to accept many. To avoid reacting negatively during times of loss is what Islam calls patience (sabr). Patience is essential for a successful life. Without it, no one can remain firm on the path to success—patience against personal desires, patience against the harm caused by others, patience in the face of loss of life and property, patience with unpleasant experiences, patience in times of deprivation and patience in hardship. In this world, everyone repeatedly faces negative experiences. Only someone willing to live with patience can maintain a positive outlook despite them. Patience allows a person to remain unaffected by unpleasant events and to keep a constructive attitude during difficulties. It is patience that truly makes a person courageous.