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Many years ago, even before I ever read the Quran, I experienced the truth of yet another of its verses. At the time I was living in a spiritual community in my hometown. Jim came to join us from one of the eastern states of the US. He had a somewhat abrasive personality initially, possibly as a cover for shyness. I don’t remember exactly why we were at odds, but I found that my being kind to him changed the situation so dramatically that he became one of my friends.
Though I didn’t know then about this verse in the Quran, I recognized it when I first read it several years later: Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. (41:34)
And the Bible teaches: “’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37–39)
I realized then that once again God’s guidance had manifested in my life. [3:73] …. Say, “The true guidance is GOD’s guidance.…”
[2:38] We said, “Go down therefrom, all of you. When guidance comes to you from Me, those who follow My guidance will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
[31:18] “You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth proudly. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs.
[3:8] “Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are the Grantor.
[21:37] The human being is impatient by nature. I will inevitably show you My signs; do not be in such a hurry.
God is the one who created us and He knows us best. And in this verse He is telling us that this is one of the qualities that He knows about us. We are impatient by nature. This is just one of our many weaknesses as human beings. And God tells us so.
[4:28] GOD wishes to lighten your burden, for the human being is created weak.
Ok, so, we are weak and impatient by nature. Yet God commands us to be patient! You know it will not be easy.
[16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones.
[16:127] You shall resort to patience―and your patience is attainable only with GOD’s help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.
[Proverbs 14:29] Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly.
Surely, patience is one of our most common tests. Think of how many things in life we can get impatient about—traffic, waiting in a line at the store, children, other people, Heinz ketchup!
When you are impatient, you also feel annoyed, agitated, edgy and frustrated. You behave as if everything and everyone is against you; you’re long-suffering and discontented. But when you are patient, your feelings are calmer and more relaxed. You react to things with composure, tolerance, poise and self-control.
During the pandemic,
I had to wait almost two years to see my son Daniel. Praise God that at least during that time we had technology to stay in touch, I knew he was alive and well the entire time. But what about Jacob? When Joseph’s brothers came back from throwing Joseph in the well, they produced a shirt with fake blood on it. Jacob was wise enough to know that it was fake blood.
[12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, “Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet patience. May GOD help me in the face of your conspiracy.”
Jacob knew his sons had conspired and he didn’t think Joseph was dead. We know he lost him as a boy, but what we don’t know is exactly how many years passed until they were reunited in Egypt. Based on the story one may deduce that it was at least 15 years, and it could have been decades.
[12:83] He said, “Indeed, you have conspired to carry out a certain scheme. Quiet patience is my only recourse. May GOD bring them all back to me. He is the Omniscient, Most Wise.” [12:84] He turned away from them, saying, “I am grieving over Joseph.” His eyes turned white from grieving so much; he was truly sad. [12:85] They said, “By GOD, you will keep on grieving over Joseph until you become ill, or until you die.” [12:86] He said, “I simply complain to GOD about my dilemma and grief, for I know from GOD what you do not know. [12:87] “O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of GOD’s grace. None despairs of GOD’s grace except the disbelieving people.”
Think about this, all those years Jacob knew deep down Joseph was alive. He said to his sons, “Go fetch Joseph”. Think about how patient Jacob was.
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