The Prophetic Method

comes to their rescue, preventing them from giving up just because their words seem not to affect others: Therefore, have patience. God’s promise is true. Let not those who have no certainty make you impatient.82 Sometimes, sabr takes on another form: steadfastness and forbearance in the face of persecution from others. This was the method adopted by all the prophets of God: They used to say to their adversaries: ... We will endure your persecution patiently. In God, let all the faithful put their trust.83 The afflictions beset preachers of God’s word and are an integral part of their mission. Those they address are bound to show some reaction to their words, and sometimes it is going to be violent and uncompromising. If they start bemoaning their treatment by others, the very seriousness of their efforts to bring them to true faith is cast into doubt. Those who are working for God’s sake will not be affected by the reactions of others to what they are doing. The difficulties we encounter in pursuit of God’s good pleasure are a test of our sincerity. We cannot expect our words to affect others unless we have proved our sincerity. When faced with enemy onslaughts, people usually take retaliatory measures of their own: People are generally used to retaliating when they face any unpleasant treatment by others. Sabr, on the other hand, means to bear patiently whatever is meted out by the enemy. For instance, if Muslims in a particular country find themselves up against