A Principle Concerning Patience and Gratitude

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah | Trans & Notes: Sh. Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “Allah has made for His believing servants — in every situation [they encounter] — goodness from Himself. For they are constantly in [receipt of] bounty from their Lord, irrespective of whether they encounter what they love or what they dislike. And He made His ordainments and decrees which He ordains for them and decrees upon them as merchandise through which they may profit and as paths through which they may reach Him.” He (may Allah have mercy on him) also said, “And when the servant considers all of faith, he will see it returning in its entirety to patience and gratitude.” The foundations of the way of the Salaf in da’wah are calling to the Tawhid of Allah, adherence to the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and warning against everything which opposes them of innovation and misguidance. It is inevitable that the follower of their way will face enmity, harm and oppression to the extent of his determination in that call, and such harm, though it is for religious reasons, can extend to worldly matters too. Therefore, it is vital that the person of the Sunnah learns patience, for alongside gratefulness (shukr), it is one half of the entire religion. This treatise will go a long way in aiding the servant upon this endeavour in a very practical way.