My testing is difficult; how can I acquire patience?

- The Quran says that Allah will not burden us with more than we can bear, but given my current situation, this testing feels heavy to me. How can we acquire patience?
- Sometimes I feel like I cannot bear it anymore; I do not want to rebel; I know that the destiny Allah has ordained is the best, but I cannot convince myself.
- My prayers, which I have been saying for years, are not answered. Sometimes I feel like I do not have the strength. I do not know how to behave. I do not want to disrespect Allah, but I cannot endure this test anymore.
- Even as I write these lines, I feel worried whether it might be considered rude. I am at a loss as to what to think....

Dear Brother / Sister,

Let us have a look at what Allah says regarding the issue in the Quran:

Both a divine promise and a perfect prayer (dua):

“On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns.”

O believers! Pray as follows:

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error!’

Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us!

Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear!

“Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith!” (al-Baqara, 2/286)

The answer to the question, “Why are we being tested?”:

“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” (al-Mulk, 67/2)

“I have only created Jinn and men, that they may serve Me!” (adh-Dhariyat, 51/56)

You will definitely be tested:

“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere!” (al-Baqara, 2/155)

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested?” (al-Ankabut, 29/2)

“Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned, as though Allah did not know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for friends and protectors except Allah, His Messenger, and the (community of) Believers? But Allah is well- acquainted with (all) that ye do!” (at-Tawba, 9/16)

The answer to the question, “How will we be patient?”:

“O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” (al-Baqara, 2/153)

Glad tidings to those who remember Allah and His divine laws at times of calamity and when patience is needed:

“Those who patiently persevere say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return’: They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (al-Baqara, 2/156-157)

If we listen to Allah with our hearts and with unwavering faith, without any doubt or suspicion,

If we surrender to Him and do what He asks of us,

If we attribute help to Him alone and humbly seek help only from Him,

We hope for Allah’s help to remove what we call misfortunes and calamities, but more importantly, we realize that the joys and sorrows of this ephemeral world are temporary, and that we should not be overly affected by either joy or sorrow, but rather concentrate on sowing the seeds here to reap the harvest in our true home, the hereafter.

Otherwise, the worldly life will distract us with its joys and sorrows;

“What is the life of this world but amusement and play? but verily the Home in the Hereafter,- that is life indeed, if they but knew!” (al-Ankabut, 29/64)

“Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah. And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?” (al-Hadid, 57/20)

“O men! Certainly the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah.” (Fatir, 35/5)

We think everything, even more than enough, has been explained in the Quran. Our duty is to be good servants of Allah, and definitely, to question ourselves with our own conscience, asking, “How worthy of Allah are we as His servants?”

“Whatever good, (O man!) happens to thee, is from Allah. but whatever evil happens to thee, is from thy (own) soul…” (an-Nisa, 4/79)

As we mentioned earlier, the most important thing that will ensure our reliance on Allah and patience is strengthening our belief. In this regard, we must strengthen our belief – as long as we are alive – and to do this, we must primarily read the Quran, Quranic commentaries, and the works of scholars that strengthen our belief, learn our religion well, and certainly, teach it as we learn.

Questions on Islam