Quran Verses about Patience
The Quran commands the believers to seek help through patience and prayer, and says that Allah is with those who are patient. Its verses speak of patience in calamity, trial, abuse and struggle, including the commands to the Prophet to be patient and the example of earlier prophets. The patient are promised a reward without measure and Paradise.
The command to be patient
وَٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَٰشِعِينَ ٤٥
Wastaʿīnū biṣ-ṣabri waṣ-ṣalāh, wa innahā lakabīratun illā ʿalal-khāshiʿīn.
And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allāh]
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٥٣
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanustaʿīnū biṣ-ṣabri waṣ-ṣalāh, innallāha maʿaṣ-ṣābirīn.
O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱصۡبِرُواْ وَصَابِرُواْ وَرَابِطُواْ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ ٢٠٠
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanuṣbirū wa ṣābirū wa rābiṭū wattaqullāha laʿallakum tufliḥūn.
O you who have believed, persevere1 and endure2 and remain stationed3 and fear Allāh that you may be successful.
Footnotes (3)
- In your religion and in the face of your enemies.
- In patience, outlasting your enemies, and against your own evil inclinations.
- Posted at your positions against the enemy or in the mosques, awaiting prayers.
وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَنَٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡۖ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ٤٦
Wa aṭīʿullāha wa rasūlahū wa lā tanāzaʿū fatafshalū wa tadhhaba rīḥukum, waṣbirū, innallāha maʿaṣ-ṣābirīn.
And obey Allāh and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.
يَٰبُنَيَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَٱنۡهَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٧
Yābunayya aqimiṣ-ṣalāta waʾmur bil-maʿrūfi wanha ʿanil-munkari waṣbir ʿalā mā aṣābak, inna dhālika min ʿazmil-umūr.
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] resolve.1
Footnotes (1)
- For the reason that they are enjoined by Allāh.
Patience in calamity and trial
وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ وَٱلۡجُوعِ وَنَقۡصٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡوَٰلِ وَٱلۡأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٥٥
Wa lanabluwannakum bishayʾim minal-khawfi wal-jūʿi wa naqṣim minal-amwāli wal-anfusi wath-thamarāt, wa bashshiriṣ-ṣābirīn.
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٞ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ١٥٦
Al-ladhīna idhā aṣābathum muṣībatun qālū innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.
Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allāh, and indeed to Him we will return."
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ صَلَوَٰتٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةٞۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ ١٥٧
Ulāʾika ʿalayhim ṣalawātum mir rabbihim wa raḥmah, wa ulāʾika humul-muhtadūn.
Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.
۞ لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَٰهَدُواْۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِي ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ ١٧٧
Laysal-birra an tuwallū wujūhakum qibalal-mashriqi wal-maghribi wa lākinnal-birra man āmana billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri wal-malāʾikati wal-kitābi wan-nabiyyīna wa ātal-māla ʿalā ḥubbihī dhawil-qurbā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīna wabnas-sabīli was-sāʾilīna wa fir-riqābi wa aqāmaṣ-ṣalāta wa ātaz-zakāta wal-mūfūna biʿahdihim idhā ʿāhadū, waṣ-ṣābirīna fil-baʾsāʾi waḍ-ḍarrāʾi wa ḥīnal-baʾs, ulāʾikal-ladhīna ṣadaqū, wa ulāʾika humul-muttaqūn.
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allāh, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakāh; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٤٢
Am ḥasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata wa lammā yaʿlamillāhul-ladhīna jāhadū minkum wa yaʿlamaṣ-ṣābirīn.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allāh has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
۞ لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذٗى كَثِيرٗاۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٨٦
Latublawunna fī amwālikum wa anfusikum wa latasmaʿunna minal-ladhīna ūtul-kitāba min qablikum wa minal-ladhīna ashrakū adhan kathīrā, wa in taṣbirū watattaqū fa inna dhālika min ʿazmil-umūr.
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allāh much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allāh - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِي ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣٥
Al-ladhīna idhā dhukirallāhu wajilat qulūbuhum waṣ-ṣābirīna ʿalā mā aṣābahum wal-muqīmiṣ-ṣalāti wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
Who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمۡ لَيَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَسۡوَاقِۗ وَجَعَلۡنَا بَعۡضَكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٖ فِتۡنَةً أَتَصۡبِرُونَۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرٗا ٢٠
Wa mā arsalnā qablaka minal-mursalīna illā innahum layaʾkulūnaṭ-ṭaʿāma wa yamshūna fil-aswāq, wa jaʿalnā baʿḍakum libaʿḍin fitnatan ataṣbirūn, wa kāna rabbuka baṣīrā.
And We did not send before you, [O Muḥammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you [people] as trial for others - will you have patience? And ever is your Lord, Seeing.
وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ نَعۡلَمَ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَنَبۡلُوَاْ أَخۡبَارَكُمۡ ٣١
Wa lanabluwannakum ḥattā naʿlamal-mujāhidīna minkum waṣ-ṣābirīna wa nabluwa akhbārakum.
And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allāh] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.
Patience as a trait of the believers
ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلۡقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلۡمُنفِقِينَ وَٱلۡمُسۡتَغۡفِرِينَ بِٱلۡأَسۡحَارِ ١٧
Aṣ-ṣābirīna waṣ-ṣādiqīna wal-qānitīna wal-munfiqīna wal-mustaghfirīna bil-asḥār.
The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allāh], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.
ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ ٤٢
Al-ladhīna ṣabarū wa ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn.
[They are] those who endured patiently and upon their Lord relied.
وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ أَئِمَّةٗ يَهۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْۖ وَكَانُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ ٢٤
Wa jaʿalnā minhum aʾimmatay yahdūna biʾamrinā lammā ṣabarū, wa kānū biʾāyātinā yūqinūn.
And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ وَٱلۡمُسۡلِمَٰتِ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ وَٱلۡقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلۡقَٰنِتَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلۡخَٰشِعِينَ وَٱلۡخَٰشِعَٰتِ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمَٰتِ وَٱلۡحَٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمۡ وَٱلۡحَٰفِظَٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرٗا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٗ وَأَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ٣٥
Innal-muslimīna wal-muslimāti wal-muʾminīna wal-muʾmināti wal-qānitīna wal-qānitāti waṣ-ṣādiqīna waṣ-ṣādiqāti waṣ-ṣābirīna waṣ-ṣābirāti wal-khāshiʿīna wal-khāshiʿāti wal-mutaṣaddiqīna wal-mutaṣaddiqāti waṣ-ṣāʾimīna waṣ-ṣāʾimāti wal-ḥāfiẓīna furūjahum wal-ḥāfiẓāti wadh-dhākirīnallāha kathīraw wadh-dhākirāti aʿaddallāhu lahum maghfirataw wa ajran ʿaẓīmā.
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allāh often and the women who do so - for them Allāh has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
Patience in the struggle
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٖ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةٗ كَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ٢٤٩
Falammā faṣala ṭālūtu bil-junūdi qāla innallāha mubtalīkum binaharin faman shariba minhu falaysa minnī wa mal lam yaṭʿamhu fa innahū minnī illā manightarafa ghurfatam biyadih, fasharibū minhu illā qalīlam minhum, falammā jāwazahū huwa wal-ladhīna āmanū maʿahū qālū lā ṭāqata lanal-yawma bijālūta wa junūdih, qālal-ladhīna yaẓunnūna annahum mulāqullāhi kam min fiʾatin qalīlatin ghalabat fiʾatan kathīratam biʾidhnillāh, wallāhu maʿaṣ-ṣābirīn.
And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allāh will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allāh said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the patient."
وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ٢٥٠
Wa lammā barazū lijālūta wa junūdihī qālū rabbanā afrigh ʿalaynā ṣabraw wa thabbit aqdāmanā wanṣurnā ʿalal-qawmil-kāfirīn.
And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيّٖ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٞ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٤٦
Wa kaʾayyim min nabiyyin qātala maʿahū ribbiyyūna kathīrun famā wahanū limā aṣābahum fī sabīlillāhi wa mā ḍaʿufū wa mastakānū, wallāhu yuḥibbuṣ-ṣābirīn.
And how many a prophet [fought in battle and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allāh, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allāh loves the steadfast.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا فُتِنُواْ ثُمَّ جَٰهَدُواْ وَصَبَرُوٓاْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهَا لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ١١٠
Thumma inna rabbaka lil-ladhīna hājarū mim baʿdi mā futinū thumma jāhadū wa ṣabarū inna rabbaka mim baʿdihā laghafūrur raḥīm.
Then, indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been compelled [to say words of disbelief] and thereafter fought [for the cause of Allāh] and were patient - indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful
Patience with abuse
إِن تَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ حَسَنَةٞ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ وَإِن تُصِبۡكُمۡ سَيِّئَةٞ يَفۡرَحُواْ بِهَاۖ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمۡ كَيۡدُهُمۡ شَيۡـًٔاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيطٞ ١٢٠
In tamsaskum ḥasanatun tasuʾhum wa in tuṣibkum sayyiʾatuy yafraḥū bihā, wa in taṣbirū watattaqū lā yaḍurrukum kayduhum shayʾā, innallāha bimā yaʿmalūna muḥīṭ.
If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allāh, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allāh is encompassing of what they do.
وَلَقَدۡ كُذِّبَتۡ رُسُلٞ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ فَصَبَرُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا كُذِّبُواْ وَأُوذُواْ حَتَّىٰٓ أَتَىٰهُمۡ نَصۡرُنَاۚ وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَكَ مِن نَّبَإِيْ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ ٣٤
Wa laqad kudhdhibat rusulum min qablika faṣabarū ʿalā mā kudhdhibū wa ūdhū ḥattā atāhum naṣrunā, wa lā mubaddila likalimātillāh, wa laqad jāʾaka min nabaʾil-mursalīn.
And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over the denial, and they were harmed until Our victory came to them. And none can alter the words [i.e., decrees] of Allāh. And there has certainly come to you some information about the [previous] messengers.
وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَقَدۡ هَدَىٰنَا سُبُلَنَاۚ وَلَنَصۡبِرَنَّ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاذَيۡتُمُونَاۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلُونَ ١٢
Wa mā lanā allā natawakkala ʿalallāhi wa qad hadānā subulanā, wa lanaṣbiranna ʿalā mā ādhaytumūnā, wa ʿalallāhi falyatawakkalil-mutawakkilūn.
And why should we not rely upon Allāh while He has guided us to our [good] ways. And we will surely be patient against whatever harm you should cause us. And upon Allāh let those who would rely [indeed] rely."
وَإِنۡ عَاقَبۡتُمۡ فَعَاقِبُواْ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوقِبۡتُم بِهِۦۖ وَلَئِن صَبَرۡتُمۡ لَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لِّلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٢٦
Wa in ʿāqabtum faʿāqibū bimithli mā ʿūqibtum bih, wa laʾin ṣabartum lahuwa khayrul liṣ-ṣābirīn.
And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed.1 But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
Footnotes (1)
- Not exceeding it.
وَٱصۡبِرۡ وَمَا صَبۡرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا تَكُ فِي ضَيۡقٖ مِّمَّا يَمۡكُرُونَ ١٢٧
Waṣbir wa mā ṣabruka illā billāh, wa lā taḥzan ʿalayhim wa lā taku fī ḍayqim mimmā yamkurūn.
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.
وَلَا تَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُۚ ٱدۡفَعۡ بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَكَ وَبَيۡنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٞ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٞ ٣٤
Wa lā tastawil-ḥasanatu wa las-sayyiʾah, idfaʿ bil-latī hiya aḥsanu fa idhal-ladhī baynaka wa baynahū ʿadāwatun kaʾannahū waliyyun ḥamīm.
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.
وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٖ ٣٥
Wa mā yulaqqāhā illal-ladhīna ṣabarū wa mā yulaqqāhā illā dhū ḥaẓẓin ʿaẓīm.
But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].
The command to the Prophet to be patient
وَٱتَّبِعۡ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ وَٱصۡبِرۡ حَتَّىٰ يَحۡكُمَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ ١٠٩
Wattabiʿ mā yūḥā ilayka waṣbir ḥattā yaḥkumallāh, wa huwa khayrul-ḥākimīn.
And follow what is revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and be patient until Allāh will judge. And He is the best of judges.
تِلۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيۡكَۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعۡلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوۡمُكَ مِن قَبۡلِ هَٰذَاۖ فَٱصۡبِرۡۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَٰقِبَةَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٤٩
Tilka min anbāʾil-ghaybi nūḥīhā ilayk, mā kunta taʿlamuhā anta wa lā qawmuka min qabli hādhā, faṣbir, innal-ʿāqibata lil-muttaqīn.
That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people, before this. So be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
وَٱصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ١١٥
Waṣbir fa innallāha lā yuḍīʿu ajral-muḥsinīn.
And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
فَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ قَبۡلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمۡسِ وَقَبۡلَ غُرُوبِهَاۖ وَمِنۡ ءَانَآيِٕ ٱلَّيۡلِ فَسَبِّحۡ وَأَطۡرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرۡضَىٰ ١٣٠
Faṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna wa sabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika qabla ṭulūʿish-shamsi wa qabla ghurūbihā, wa min ānāʾil-layli fasabbiḥ wa aṭrāfan-nahāri laʿallaka tarḍā.
So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
ٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلۡأَيۡدِۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ ١٧
Iṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna wadhkur ʿabdanā dāwūda dhal-ayd, innahū awwāb.
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allāh].
فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡعَشِيِّ وَٱلۡإِبۡكَٰرِ ٥٥
Faṣbir inna waʿdallāhi ḥaqquw wastaghfir lidhanbika wa sabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika bil-ʿashiyyi wal-ibkār.
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin1 and exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
Footnotes (1)
- What is intended is "fault" or "error" in judgement, since all prophets were protected by Allāh from falling into sin. The implication is that all believers should seek forgiveness for their sins.
فَٱصۡبِرۡ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعَزۡمِ مِنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ وَلَا تَسۡتَعۡجِل لَّهُمۡۚ كَأَنَّهُمۡ يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمۡ يَلۡبَثُوٓاْ إِلَّا سَاعَةٗ مِّن نَّهَارِۭۚ بَلَٰغٞۚ فَهَلۡ يُهۡلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ ٣٥
Faṣbir kamā ṣabara ulul-ʿazmi minar-rusuli wa lā tastaʿjil lahum, kaʾannahum yawma yarawna mā yūʿadūna lam yalbathū illā sāʿatam min nahār, balāgh, fahal yuhlaku illal-qawmul-fāsiqūn.
So be patient, [O Muḥammad], as were those of determination among the messengers and do not be impatient for them.1 It will be - on the Day they see that which they are promised - as though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day. [This is] notification. And will [any] be destroyed except the defiantly disobedient people?
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., for Allāh's punishment of the disbelievers.
وَٱصۡبِرۡ لِحُكۡمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعۡيُنِنَاۖ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ ٤٨
Waṣbir liḥukmi rabbika fa innaka biʾaʿyuninā, wa sabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika ḥīna taqūm.
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], for the decision of your Lord, for indeed, you are in Our eyes [i.e., sight]. And exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord when you arise
فَٱصۡبِرۡ لِحُكۡمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلۡحُوتِ إِذۡ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكۡظُومٞ ٤٨
Faṣbir liḥukmi rabbika wa lā takun kaṣāḥibil-ḥūti idh nādā wa huwa makẓūm.
Then be patient for the decision of your Lord, [O Muḥammad], and be not like the companion of the fish [i.e., Jonah] when he called out while he was distressed.
فَٱصۡبِرۡ صَبۡرٗا جَمِيلًا ٥
Faṣbir ṣabran jamīlā.
So be patient with gracious patience.
وَٱصۡبِرۡ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱهۡجُرۡهُمۡ هَجۡرٗا جَمِيلٗا ١٠
Waṣbir ʿalā mā yaqūlūna wahjurhum hajran jamīlā.
And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance.
وَلِرَبِّكَ فَٱصۡبِرۡ ٧
Walirabbika faṣbir.
But for your Lord be patient.
The patience of the prophets and earlier believers
وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنۡ ءَامَنَّا بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتۡنَاۚ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسۡلِمِينَ ١٢٦
Wa mā tanqimu minnā illā an āmannā biʾāyāti rabbinā lammā jāʾatnā, rabbanā afrigh ʿalaynā ṣabraw wa tawaffanā muslimīn.
And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience1 and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]."
Footnotes (1)
- To endure the torture to which we will be subjected.
قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۖ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٢٨
Qāla mūsā liqawmihistaʿīnū billāhi waṣbirū, innal-arḍa lillāhi yūrithuhā may yashāʾu min ʿibādih, wal-ʿāqibatu lil-muttaqīn.
Said Moses to his people, "Seek help through Allāh and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allāh. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous."
وَأَوۡرَثۡنَا ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ يُسۡتَضۡعَفُونَ مَشَٰرِقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَغَٰرِبَهَا ٱلَّتِي بَٰرَكۡنَا فِيهَاۖ وَتَمَّتۡ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ بِمَا صَبَرُواْۖ وَدَمَّرۡنَا مَا كَانَ يَصۡنَعُ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَقَوۡمُهُۥ وَمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡرِشُونَ ١٣٧
Wa awrathnal-qawmal-ladhīna kānū yustaḍʿafūna mashāriqal-arḍi wa maghāribahal-latī bāraknā fīhā, wa tammat kalimatu rabbikal-ḥusnā ʿalā banī isrāʾīla bimā ṣabarū, wa dammarnā mā kāna yaṣnaʿu firʿawnu wa qawmuhū wa mā kānū yaʿrishūn.
And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word [i.e., decree] of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured. And We destroyed [all] that Pharaoh and his people were producing and what they had been building.
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٖ كَذِبٖۚ قَالَ بَلۡ سَوَّلَتۡ لَكُمۡ أَنفُسُكُمۡ أَمۡرٗاۖ فَصَبۡرٞ جَمِيلٞۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُسۡتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ ١٨
Wa jāʾū ʿalā qamīṣihī bidamin kadhib, qāla bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amrā, faṣabrun jamīl, wallāhul-mustaʿānu ʿalā mā taṣifūn.
And they brought upon his shirt false blood.1 [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allāh is the one sought for help against that which you describe."
Footnotes (1)
- They had stained Joseph's shirt with the blood of a lamb but had forgotten to tear it, thereby arousing their father's suspicion.
قَالُوٓاْ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَآ أَخِيۖ قَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ٩٠
Qālū aʾinnaka laʾanta yūsuf, qāla ana yūsufu wa hādhā akhī, qad mannallāhu ʿalaynā, innahū may yattaqi wa yaṣbir fa innallāha lā yuḍīʿu ajral-muḥsinīn.
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allāh has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allāh and is patient, then indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِدۡرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلۡكِفۡلِۖ كُلّٞ مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ٨٥
Wa ismāʿīla wa idrīsa wa dhal-kifl, kullum minaṣ-ṣābirīn.
And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient.
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعۡيَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَيَّ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡمَنَامِ أَنِّيٓ أَذۡبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرَىٰۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِيٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٠٢
Falammā balagha maʿahus-saʿya qāla yābunayya innī arā fil-manāmi annī adhbaḥuka fanẓur mādhā tarā, qāla yāʾabatifʿal mā tuʾmar, satajidunī in shāʾallāhu minaṣ-ṣābirīn.
And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion,1 he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., the ability to work and be of assistance.
وَخُذۡ بِيَدِكَ ضِغۡثٗا فَٱضۡرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحۡنَثۡۗ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَٰهُ صَابِرٗاۚ نِّعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٞ ٤٤
Wa khudh biyadika ḍighthan faḍrib bihī wa lā taḥnath, innā wajadnāhu ṣābirā, niʿmal-ʿabdu innahū awwāb.
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath."1 Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allāh].
Footnotes (1)
- At a point during his illness, Job became angry with his wife and swore that if he recovered, he would punish her with one hundred lashes. According to Allāh's instruction, the oath was fulfilled by striking her once with one hundred blades of grass.
إِنَّا مُرۡسِلُواْ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتۡنَةٗ لَّهُمۡ فَٱرۡتَقِبۡهُمۡ وَٱصۡطَبِرۡ ٢٧
Innā mursilun-nāqati fitnatal lahum fartaqibhum waṣṭabir.
Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient.1
Footnotes (1)
- This and the following verse are an address to Ṣāliḥ (upon him be peace).
The reward of the patient
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَأَجۡرٞ كَبِيرٞ ١١
Illal-ladhīna ṣabarū wa ʿamiluṣ-ṣāliḥāti ulāʾika lahum maghfiratuw wa ajrun kabīr.
Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.
وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ وَجۡهِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ سِرّٗا وَعَلَانِيَةٗ وَيَدۡرَءُونَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عُقۡبَى ٱلدَّارِ ٢٢
Wal-ladhīna ṣabarubtighāʾa wajhi rabbihim wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa anfaqū mimmā razaqnāhum sirraw wa ʿalāniyataw wa yadraʾūna bil-ḥasanatis-sayyiʾata ulāʾika lahum ʿuqbad-dār.
And those who are patient, seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home1 -
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., the world and its trials, its good consequence being Paradise.
جَنَّٰتُ عَدۡنٖ يَدۡخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنۡ ءَابَآئِهِمۡ وَأَزۡوَٰجِهِمۡ وَذُرِّيَّٰتِهِمۡۖ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَدۡخُلُونَ عَلَيۡهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٖ ٢٣
Jannātu ʿadniy yadkhulūnahā wa man ṣalaḥa min ābāʾihim wa azwājihim wa dhurriyyātihim, wal-malāʾikatu yadkhulūna ʿalayhim min kulli bāb.
Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying],
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُم بِمَا صَبَرۡتُمۡۚ فَنِعۡمَ عُقۡبَى ٱلدَّارِ ٢٤
Salāmun ʿalaykum bimā ṣabartum, faniʿma ʿuqbad-dār.
"Peace [i.e., security] be upon you for what you patiently endured." And excellent is the final home.
مَا عِندَكُمۡ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٖۗ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓاْ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٩٦
Mā ʿindakum yanfadu wa mā ʿindallāhi bāq, wa lanajziyannal-ladhīna ṣabarū ajrahum biʾaḥsani mā kānū yaʿmalūn.
Whatever you have will end, but what Allāh has is lasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.
إِنِّي جَزَيۡتُهُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡفَآئِزُونَ ١١١
Innī jazaytuhumul-yawma bimā ṣabarū annahum humul-fāʾizūn.
Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance - that they are the attainers [of success]."
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُجۡزَوۡنَ ٱلۡغُرۡفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ وَيُلَقَّوۡنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةٗ وَسَلَٰمًا ٧٥
Ulāʾika yujzawnal-ghurfata bimā ṣabarū wa yulaqqawna fīhā taḥiyyataw wa salāmā.
Those will be awarded the Chamber1 for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace,
Footnotes (1)
- The most elevated portion of Paradise.
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُؤۡتَوۡنَ أَجۡرَهُم مَّرَّتَيۡنِ بِمَا صَبَرُواْ وَيَدۡرَءُونَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٥٤
Ulāʾika yuʾtawna ajrahum marratayni bimā ṣabarū wa yadraʾūna bil-ḥasanatis-sayyiʾata wa mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured and [because] they avert evil through good, and from what We have provided them they spend.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَيۡلَكُمۡ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّمَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗاۚ وَلَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ ٨٠
Wa qālal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma waylakum thawābullāhi khayrul liman āmana wa ʿamila ṣāliḥā, wa lā yulaqqāhā illaṣ-ṣābirūn.
But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allāh is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."
قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمۡۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٞۗ وَأَرۡضُ ٱللَّهِ وَٰسِعَةٌۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ أَجۡرَهُم بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ ١٠
Qul yāʿibādil-ladhīna āmanuttaqū rabbakum, lil-ladhīna aḥsanū fī hādhihid-dunyā ḥasanah, wa arḍullāhi wāsiʿah, innamā yuwaffaṣ-ṣābirūna ajrahum bighayri ḥisāb.
Say,1 "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allāh is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [i.e., limit]."
Footnotes (1)
- The Prophet (ﷺ) is instructed to say on behalf of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to His believing servants.
وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُواْ جَنَّةٗ وَحَرِيرٗا ١٢
Wa jazāhum bimā ṣabarū jannataw wa ḥarīrā.
And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].
Urging one another to patience
ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡمَرۡحَمَةِ ١٧
Thumma kāna minal-ladhīna āmanū wa tawāṣaw biṣ-ṣabri wa tawāṣaw bil-marḥamah.
And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.
وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ ١
Wal-ʿaṣr.
By time,1
Footnotes (1)
- An oath in which Allāh swears by time throughout the ages.
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡرٍ ٢
Innal-insāna lafī khusr.
Indeed, mankind is in loss,
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ ٣
Illal-ladhīna āmanū wa ʿamiluṣ-ṣāliḥāti wa tawāṣaw bil-ḥaqqi wa tawāṣaw biṣ-ṣabr.
Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.