How to Develop a Mindset of Patience in Times of Calamity?

calamity: a promise of forgiveness is granted to them from the Divine Court.

Having heard these virtues of having patience in calamities, we should develop a mindset that no matter how many calamities befall us, no matter if endless trials try to shake us, countless troubles surge, and illnesses surround us from all sides, not a single word of complaint should ever escape our lips. Rather, we should become so immersed in the thought of the rewards to be gained from patience that we do not even feel the pain.

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه! From the blessed lives of the religious elders رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ we also receive this lesson: that when any calamity befell them, these esteemed individuals would become so absorbed in the thought of the rewards to be gained from patience that they would not even feel the pain, and they would remain happy despite the onset of calamities.

Let us listen to three faith-inspiring incidents for encouragement, and strive to become embodiments of patience and contentment.

(1) Laughing Immediately Upon Being Wounded

The honourable wife of Sayyidunā Fatḥ Mawṣilī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه once fell severely, causing her nail to break. But instead of crying out in pain or saying 'Oh dear,' 'Alas,' etc., she began to laugh! Someone asked: 'Does the wound not hurt?' She replied: 'In the joy of the reward to be gained from patience, I cannot even think of the pain of the injury.'^{^[1]}

(2) Smiling at the Death of a Son

The great elder of the exalted Chishtiyyah order, Sayyidunā Fuḍayl bin ꜤIyāḍ رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was never seen smiling by anyone. However, on the day his beloved son, ꜤAlī bin Fuḍayl رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه passed away, he began to smile.

[1] Kimiya-e-Sa'adat, vol. 2, p. 782

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