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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam Aleikum Burhan:

I heard from some resources that there is a Tradition of Prophet Mohammad SAW, that on the Day of Judgment, there will be a group of "Maa-as-Sabireen", who will enter the paradise without any Accounting.

1) Can you please explain in the light of Quran and Sunnah the definition of Sabar?

2) Can you please validate the authenticity of this Tradition?

Thanks

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Answer:

What is sabr patience

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: Can you please explain in the light of Quran and Sunnah the definition of Sabar?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 200:

200 O ye who believe! Practice ‘sabr’ (persevere in patience and constancy): vie in such ‘sabr’ (perseverance); strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that ye may prosper.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 153:

153 O ye who believe! Seek (Allah’s) help with ‘sabr’ (patient perseverance) and prayer: for Allah is with those who practice ‘sabr’ (patiently persevere).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 31 Surah Luqman verse 17:

17 (And Luqman said:) "O my son! Establish regular prayer enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong: and bear with ‘sabr’ (patient constancy) whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 45-46:

45 Nay! Seek (Allah's) help with ‘sabr’ (patient perseverance) and prayer: it is indeed hard except to those who bring a lowly spirit.

46 Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord and that they are to return to Him.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 103 Surah Al-Asr verses 1-3:

1 By (the token of) time.

2 Verily (all of) mankind is in (severe) loss!

3 Except such as have faith and do righteous deeds; and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth and of ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 126:

126 "But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! O Our Lord! Pour out on us ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy) and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)"!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 11 Surah Hud verses 9-11:

9 If We give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves and then withdraw it from him, behold! He is in despair and (falls into) blasphemy.

10 But if We give him a taste of (Our) favors after adversity hath touched him, He is sure to say "All evil has departed from me!"; behold! He falls into exultation and pride.

11 Not so do those who show ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy), and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.

Al-Muwatta Hadith 58.7

Malik related from Ibn Shihab from Ata ibn Yazid al-Laythi from Abu Said al-Khudri that some people of the Ansar asked some things from the Messenger of Allah (saws) and he (saws) gave to them. Then they asked him (saws) again, and he (saws) gave to them until he (saws) used up what he had. Then he (saws) said, "What wealth I have, I will not hoard from you. Whoever has forbearance, Allah will help him. Whoever tries to be independent, Allah will enrich him. Whoever tries to be ‘saabir’ (patient), Allah will give him ‘sabr’ (patience), and no one is given a better or vaster gift by Allah than ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy)."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 9.268 Narrated by Thabit Al Bunani

The Prophet (saws) said, 'No doubt, ‘sabr’ is (best practiced or displayed) at the first stroke of a calamity!’

The Arabic word Sabr implies many shades of meaning, which it is almost impossible to comprehend in one English word. It implies patience in the sense of being thorough, not hasty; patient perseverance, constancy, steadfastness, firmness of purpose; systematic as opposed to spasmodic or chance action; an attitude of resignation and understanding in sorrow, defeat, or suffering, as opposed to murmuring or rebellion.

If one were to divide the element of ‘sabr’ in two broad categories, they would be:

1. Patience, constancy, steadfastness, etc. when one is afflicted with a calamity or affliction….such that regardless of what level of calamity one is afflicted with, one does not despair or lose hope in the Mercy of their Lord, but one keeps their full trust and hope in their Lord Most Gracious, and says and does only what is pleasing to their Lord.
2. The other type of ‘sabr’ is the patience, constancy, and steadfastness which one displays when one is blessed with abundance of good from their Lord….whereby one utilizes ‘sabr’ and does not become exultant, arrogant, or proud and abuse his authority, but is humble and grateful unto his Lord Most Gracious, controls the temptations and desires of his ‘nafs’, and says and does only what is pleasing to their Lord Most High.

Example-1: When one is blessed with youth and abundant energy, one does not ‘waste’ ones resources of youth in following one’s lusts and desires….but displays ‘sabr’ and ‘utilizes’ his resources to abstain from evil and further the good.

Example-2: When one has been wronged by another, and one has complete control and authority to wreck full revenge over the one who has wronged him….one displays ‘sabr’, controls one’s desire to exact more revenge than what is just or even forgive the person, only for the sake and pleasure of the Lord Most High.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 35:

35 For men and women who submit themselves, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who practice ‘sabr’, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's Praise; for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and Great Reward.

Your Question: I heard from some resources that there is a Tradition of Prophet Mohammad SAW, that on the Day of Judgment, there will be a group of "Maa-as-Sabireen", who will enter the paradise without any Accounting. 2) Can you please validate the authenticity of this Tradition?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Surah Muminoon verses 103-111:

103 But those whose balance is light will be those who have lost their souls; in Hell will they abide.

104 The Fire will burn their faces and they will therein grin with their lips displaced.

105 "Were not My Signs rehearsed to you and ye did but treat them as falsehoods?"

106 They will say: "O Our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us and we became a people astray!

107 O Our Lord! Bring us out of this (Fire of Hell): if ever we return (to evil) then shall we be wrongdoers indeed!"

108 He will say: "Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! and speak ye not to Me!

109 A part of My servants there was who used to pray `O Our Lord! We believe; then do Thou forgive us and have Mercy upon us: for Thou art the best of those Who show Mercy!'

110 But ye treated them with ridicule; so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget My Message while ye were laughing at them!

111 I have rewarded them this day for their ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy): they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..."

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 103 Surah Al-Asr verses 1-3:

1 By (the token of) time.

2 Verily (all of) mankind is in (severe) loss!

3 Except such as have faith and do righteous deeds; and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth and of ‘sabr’ (patience and constancy).

Beloved brother, although it is absolutely evident from the above guidance of the Lord that practicing ‘sabr’ is indeed one amongst the key criteria that will attain one success in the Hereafter, to the best of our knowledge we have not come across the specific tradition which you have quoted for verification in any of the authentic collections of ‘sahih’ hadeeths.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) did make mention of a type of people who would enter Paradise without any punishment, accounting, or reckoning in the following authentic narrations which involve an element of ‘sabr’ and ‘tawakkal’ (keeping their trust in Allah)….but no specific mention of ‘ma-as-sabereen’ is made in these narrations:

Sahih Muslim Hadith 422 Narrated by Imran ibn Husayn

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘Seventy thousand people of my Ummah would be admitted into Paradise without rendering any account. They (the companions) said: ‘Who would those (fortunate persons) be, O Messenger of Allah (saws)?’ He (the Prophet (saws)) replies: ‘Those who do not cauterize or practice charm, but repose trust in their Lord.’

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.479 Narrated by Ibn Abbas

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Seventy thousand people of my followers will enter Paradise without reckoning; they are those who do not practice ‘Ar-Ruqya’ (get oneself treated by the recitation of phrases), do not see an evil omen in things, but put their full trust in their Lord.’

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan