بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Table of contents:
1. In Islam
2. Who was Bilal رضي الله عنه & Umayyah
3. The downfall of Chief & rise of Slave
4. Scientific overview on this
6. Conclusion
Desire makes slaves out of kings while patience makes kings out of slaves. It is a popular statement that people attribute to Al Gazali, but it is actually an extraction in the form of quote from his overall teachings, most probably done by his students. Allah knows best. But the wisdom is filled with insightful beauty.
1. In Islam
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.
Bukhari 1469
In Islam, patience is one of the highest virtues that a believer should have. An opposing vice:" listening to desire", is one of the most dangerous vices that he must repel. It is reported in an authentic hadith how desires lead men to hell. As
Prophet ﷺ said,
"The hellfire is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passion while paradise is surrounded by all kinds of disliked undesirable things.
Bukhari, 6487
Note: Being surrounded means person has to cross them in order to reach destination. And typically, the righteous acts like prayer, charity, fasting, helping others in good, etc. are the most unpleasant to human nature. Whereas the vices like lust, greed, etc. are what human desires favor.
2. Who was Bilal رضي الله عنه & Umayyah
Bilal رضي الله عنه one of the most important figure in islam and a companion of Muhammad ﷺ before the conquest of Mecca, was the slave of Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
Umayyah ibn Khalaf was an Arab slave master and chieftain of Banu Juma of Quraysh. He was also one of the chief opponents against Islam.
3. The downfall of Chief & rise of Slave
Umayyah, following his desire, used to extract immense profit from idols in Makkah, but the uprising of Islam by Prophet ﷺ was a threat to it. Situation became even tense when his slave Bilal رضي الله عنه accepted Islam.
Enraged by this, Umayyah tortured Bilal immensely. He رضي الله عنه was forced to lie on hot desert sand and at the same time being pinned down by a big heavy stone on his chest. Even through that he رضي الله عنه remained patient in those calamities, the torture didn't end there. Seeing his resilience, Umayyah made a heavy person to jump on that stone, despite that Bilal kept saying, "Ahad! Ahad! (One God!)"
Refrence:Ibn sad, volume 3,page 166
Allah sees everything and is the best to Judge
Hence, in the year approximately 624, Battle of Badr was fought between the Muslims, approximately 313 in number, led by Muhammad ﷺ versus the Quraysh forces from Makkah, approximately 1000 people, led by Amr ibn Hisham also known as Abu Jahl. The outcome was Muslim's victory, and not just that, Umayyah ibn Khalaf was killed by Bilal رضي الله عنه .
Apart from that Bilal رضي الله عنه, on the other hand, became the first Muazzin, (reciter of Adhan), one of the positions of respect and dignity in Islamic community. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ appointed him the minister of Bait ul Maal (treasury).
{all this happened in the madina before battle of badr}
Refrence:from statement of history of islam & muslim 570 to 661 CE
4. Scientific overview on this
- As per the Journal of Personality published in 2016 those who exhibit patience make better long-term decisions, as impulsivity often leads to regret and poor outcomes
- Regular practice of patience reshapes the brain's pathways, enhancing resilience and emotional intelligence
- Research links patience to lower rates of depression and anxiety, as it fosters a sense of control over life circumstances.
- Those who practice patience have been found to have healthier cardiovascular systems and lower blood pressure
- Moreover Studies indicate that patient individuals are better equipped to handle stress, reducing the risk of burnout
5. Putting it into Practice
The message is clear. The evidence are in front of us. Now it's up to us to uphold this virtue, patience, and reject listening to our desires before they doom us to hell.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Maintain a journal to develop self-awareness and keep yourself in check.
- Make a list of things that triggers you and at the same time, make another list of things that are your strength and bring you closer to Allah. Then start replacing those bad things with the good ones.
- Go for walks and work on stress regulation.
- Acquire knowledge which brings you closer to Allah and helps you develop in both the worlds.
6. Conclusion
The statement “Desire makes slaves out of kings while patience makes kings out of slaves” is a profound reminder of the transformative power of patience and the dangers of unchecked desires. Islamic teachings emphasize patience as one of the greatest virtues, with the Prophet ﷺ describing it as the best blessing a believer can have. Conversely, desires are a path to ruin, as highlighted in authentic hadith. The story of Bilal رضي الله عنه and Umayyah ibn Khalaf exemplifies this wisdom. Bilal's patience elevated him from a persecuted slave to a respected figure in Islam, while Umayyah's indulgence in desires led to his downfall. Modern science corroborates these lessons, showing that patience enhances decision-making, reduces stress, and promotes better mental and physical health. By practicing patience, regulating desires, and adopting positive habits like self-awareness and knowledge, we can lead balanced, fulfilling lives in both spiritual and worldly realms.
اللهم مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوْبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوْبَنَا عَلَى طَاعتِكَ
O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience
Ameen.
Comment down any question or dought you have regarding islam and its doctrines. Future blogs will inshallah include the solution to them ☺️
Fiqh & hadith related doughts will be explained by ulema of the specific fields inshallah
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