ÜÇÜNCÜ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ÜÇÜNCÜ FASIL · Üçüncü Madde
Third Article
Concerning the effects and benefits of patience and forbearance.
O beloved! Know that the friends of Allah have said: Three of the four ailments that keep the servant’s heart from the presence of Allah are severe trials, and from these comes weeping and lamentation (cries and groans).
The remedy for these lies only in patience. As has been explained on this topic above.
It is necessary to act with patience in every matter for two reasons:
Firstly, patience is required for worship and attaining tranquility. For it is known that patience and forbearance are the beginning and foundation of worship and tranquility. The one who lacks patience cannot attain anything from worship or tranquility. Because this world is a place of pain, sorrow, distress, and hardship. And it is inevitable that a person will encounter some difficulties and hardships as long as he lives.
The difficulties a person may encounter are: the poverty and destitution of his family, children, relatives, friends, and loved ones; encountering calamities such as exile, separation, illness, and death; and various ailments, troubles, pains, sorrows, griefs, and anxieties within his own self, along with suspicions, fears, and fancies. Also, the animosity, quarrels, and friction of some people in his society towards him; people slandering and insulting him, engaging in fights leading to murder, exposing his faults (ta’yir), belittling (tahkîr), disregarding him (ihmal), and shaming him – all these are calamities. Also, the loss, spoilage, preservation, waste, disappearance, theft, and robbery of possessions. Each of these difficulties has a different form of suffering, pain, and burning within the heart, with varying degrees of intensity and weight. Therefore, patience and forbearance are required for all these calamities so that they do not prevent the servant’s heart from being emptied and purified for worship and tranquility.
It is said that no one dies with four kinds of death and yet tastes the sweetness of his worship or attains the pleasure of tranquility:
1- The death of white hunger; this is starvation.
2- The death of black slander; this is being subjected to ill repute by people.
3- The death of red desire; this is opposing one’s desires and wishes.
4- The death of green decree; this is the manifestation of Allah's judgment.
Whoever has shown patience and forbearance with these four deaths, then he has attained worship and tranquility.
*Couplet*
One finds union by enduring separation.
Blessings to him who perseveres in patience and constancy.
In modern Turkish:
One attains union by being patient with separation. Blessings be upon one who is steadfast in patience.
*Couplet*
Attend! With patience you attain what you desire,
And with piety, you soften iron.
With translation:
Pay attention! With patience you attain what you desire. And with piety, you find iron softened.
Secondly, there are treasures of this world and the Hereafter in patience. Some of these treasures lead to salvation and excellence, to sustenance and fulfillment of desires. Some lead to success against enemies, being superior to one’s peers, establishing a throne in hearts – which is light and beauty for that person. Then comes deserving Allah's mercy, love, and praise; attaining high ranks with Allah; reaching the degree of miracles; earning countless rewards and recompense.
Allah Most High bestows all these blessings upon His servant for an hour of patience. Therefore, it is possible to attain the good things of this world and the Hereafter through patience. As Hazrat Umar (r.a.) said: "All the good that a believer obtains is the reward of one hour of patience."
*Poem*
1- If the time presses upon you, be patient,
And do not despair of near relief.
2- Take care of your soul; nights are full of possibilities,
Perhaps in them will be born a pure child.
With translation:
1- If the time distresses you, be patient. Do not lose hope for imminent relief.
2- Care for yourself; nights are pregnant with possibility. Perhaps within them a pure child is born.
Regarding the virtue of patience, this is sufficient for you that Allah has praised it in His own Book in many ways. So consider this honorable quality as a boon and strive to possess it, so that you may find ease with hardship, and attain endless peace and happiness.
*Poem*
1- When hardships come to you one after another,
Prepare for them with patience, open your chest to them.
2- For the changes of time are wondrous,
One day you see difficulty, one day you see ease.
With translation:
1- When difficulties come to you one after another,
Prepare for them with patience, open your chest to them.
2- For the changes of time are wondrous,
One day you see difficulty, one day you see ease.
The most beautiful patience is to consider the time and quantity of intensity; for it does not come early nor late, nor increase nor decrease. It is of no benefit to you to weep and lament, but rather it brings harm and much sorrow. For all things are predetermined and bound to their appointed time, and surely Allah is the One who creates and commands everything.
*Couplet*
The gnostic knows that all comes from God, forgetting humankind.
He sees that good has become evil, justice oppression.
With translation:
The knower of God knows that all comes from God, forgetting humankind. He sees that good has become evil, justice oppression.
The fortress of patience is to consider the rewards Allah will give to His patient servant in return for his patience and to contemplate the rewards with Allah. However, this also depends on Allah's grace (tawfiq).
*Couplet*
O you who are steadfast in adversity!
Hasten, hasten to your Lord!
With translation:
O you who are steadfast in adversity!
Hurry, hurry to your Lord!
*Nazm*
1- O soul, what need is there for a journey through the world of possibilities?
What need is there for a journey through this prison?
Excellent translation and accompanying explanation. This is precisely the level of fidelity and understanding required. Thank you.