53
Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abdus-Salām said: “Knowing Allah Almighty and knowing His beautiful names and sublime attributes is the best of deeds in terms of honor, benefits, and effects.”
We pause here with one of the beautiful names of Allah Almighty: “Al-Halīm”.
Allah Almighty says: {...And Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing} [Surat al-Baqarah: 263] And He says: {...And He is ever Forbearing, All-Forgiving.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 44]
Our Lord is the Owner of forbearance and tolerance. He is not provoked by the deeds of His servants, be it ignorance, disobedience, or the like. He does not hasten to punish His servants for their polytheism and disbelief in Him and for their plenty of sins.
No one is more forbearing than He is. His servants disobey Him as He watches over them, and He still preserves and takes care of them as they move and sleep as if they have not committed a sin. He bestows His favors even upon sinners and wrongdoers.
A sinner who is in distress stands before Him in supplication, and He responds to him and grants him his request. {When they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, devoting their faith sincerely to Him. But as soon as He rescues them to the land, they associate partners with Him,} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 65]
There is no god except Allah. What a Forbearing Lord! He is the owner and source of bounty, generosity, and forbearance.
He is Forbearing and so He does not hasten to punish His servants for their sins and He gives them respite so that they may repent.
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “No one is more patient when hearing abuse than Allah Almighty. They associate rivals with Him and attribute a son to Him, but He still provides them with sustenance, grants them safety, and gives to them.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
How often Allah conceals our lapses and does not punish us for sins we commit! How often we disobey Him, and yet He calls us, although He is in no need for us, saying: {Inform My servants that I am the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.} [Surat al-Hijr: 49]
Glory be to Allah, the All-Forbearing. He creates His servants, yet others are worshiped, and He provides for them, yet others are thanked. Goodness descends from Him to His servants, whereas evil ascends from them to Him. He shows love for them by His blessings, though He is in no need for them, and they incur His displeasure by sins, though they are in utmost need for Him. {If Allah were to take people to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave a single living being on earth, but He gives them respite for an appointed time. When their time comes, they cannot delay it for a moment nor can they bring it forward.} [Surat an-Nahl: 61]
Let us beware of His wrath, because when the Forbearing Lord becomes angry, none can stand up to Him. Indeed, His forbearance comes from power and ability. He only becomes displeased with those who do not deserve mercy and are not worthy of being treated with forbearance - and that is after He gives them respite.
Allah Almighty says: {When they angered Us, We exacted Our retribution and drowned them all,} [Surat az-Zukhruf: 55]
Allah Almighty may show forbearance to the disbelievers, provide for them, and not punish them in the worldly life, yet in the Hereafter, He will not pardon them or show them any clemency. Rather, the angels will drag them to Hellfire. Their entreaties will not be accepted, nor will their punishment be alleviated. {By your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils, then We will surely bring them all around Hell on their knees. Then We will surely drag out of every group those who were most rebellious against the Most Compassionate.} [Surat Maryam: 68-69] {They urge you to hasten the punishment. And indeed, Hell will be encompassing of the disbelievers.} [Surat al-‘Ankabūt: 54]
One should strive to adopt this noble moral, namely forbearance. Indeed, Allah Almighty is Forbearing and Generous and loves those who are forbearing and generous among His servants.
Indeed, forbearance is one of the most noble and sublime traits.
So, show forbearance to me, my Lord, and grace from You.
Praising His Prophet Ibrāhim (Abraham) (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {Surely Abraham was forbearing, tenderhearted, and oft-turning to Allah.} [Surat Hūd: 75] Forbearance was also a trait of Ismā‘il (Ishmael) (peace be upon him): (So We gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy.) [Surat as-Sāffāt: 101]
Our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) had the greatest share of this sublime moral.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I was with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and he was wearing a Najrāni cloak with a thick hem. A Bedouin approached him and pulled him violently by his cloak. I looked at the neck of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon) [and saw that] it was chafed by his hard tug. The Bedouin then said: ‘O Muhammad, give me of Allah’s wealth which is with you.’ The Prophet turned to him, laughed, and ordered that he be given something.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Also, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) praised Al-Ashajj ibn ‘Abd al-Qays, saying: “Indeed, you possess two traits that Allah loves: forbearance and deliberateness.” [Narrated by Muslim]
It is reported that a female slave of Maymūn ibn Mahrān came one day with a bowl of hot soup, as he was hosting some guests. She stumbled and poured the soup on him. As Maymūn was about to beat her, she said: “My master, heed Allah’s verse that says: {And those who restrain anger.}” He said: “I do.” She further said: “Heed the subsequent part: {And who pardon people.}” He said: “I pardon you.” Then, she said: “{And Allah loves the doers of good.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 134]” Thereupon, he said: “I will do good to you. You are free for the sake of Allah Almighty.”
Abu Hātim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “A wise person should remember, when he gets angry, that Allah often treats him with forbearance despite his frequent sins and violation of His prohibitions. Thereupon, he also should show forbearance and restrain his anger lest it may lead him to wrongdoing.”
If an affliction or a tribulation hits you, invoke Allah Almighty and include His name “Al-Halīm” in your invocation, for whenever the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was distressed, he would make this supplication: “La ilāha illallāh Al-‘Azhīm Al-Halīm, la ilāha illallāh Rabbu al-‘arshi al-‘azhīm, la ilāha illallāh Rabbu as-samāwāti wa Rabbu al-ardi wa Rabbu al-‘arshi al-karīm (There is no god except Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing. There is no god except Allah, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. There is no god except Allah, the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and the honorable Throne).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
O Allah, the Forbearing, make Your forbearance a cause for our happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.