“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.
Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it.
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient)” (Quran 2:155).
One of the most powerful examples of patience in the face of provocation is the story of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Ta’if. When he went to spread the message of Islam, he was met with rejection and abuse. Yet, instead of responding with anger, he made dua for the people and showed immense patience. This incident teaches us the importance of controlling our emotions and responding with dignity and forbearance.
Reflecting on 2024 Summer UK Riots
No doubt, you have all witnessed and perhaps experienced the unrest and rioting since the tragic incident in Southport on 29th July. The events seem mindless and senseless. Shops have been looted, property has been damaged, mosques have been attacked with worshippers inside, people have been assaulted, ethnicity checkpoints erected, the homes of Muslims or perceived to be Muslim have been damaged and attacked and refugee centres have been burnt and barricaded from the outside so people can’t escape.
From 6 August, unrest began to die down, with counter-protests consistently and considerably outnumbering far-right protesters, followed by large anti-racist rallies across the country on 7 August. Over 1,000 arrests were made in relation to the unrest, and over 40 rioters have been jailed. As Muslims, we must reflect on how we respond to such provocations.
People measure Islam based on your actions
MashaAllah, you may have seen the impact of a Muslim security guard, Abdullah, who disarmed a knife-wielding man who had been stabbing a young Australian girl in London last week. He confronted the attacker and held the man down with support for 4 minutes until police arrived.
This story highlights that our actions, especially in moments of crisis, can profoundly impact others and uphold the dignity of our faith.
“Allah will come to his aid…”
Abu Huraira reported: A man insulted Abu Bakr while the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was sitting down. The Prophet was initially impressed by Abu Bakr and he smiled, but then Abu Bakr insulted the man with some of the same words as him. The Prophet became angry and he stood to leave. Abu Bakr went to the Prophet, and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, the man insulted me, and you were sitting, but when I responded in kind, you became angry and stood up.” The Prophet said, “Verily, there was an angel with you responding on your behalf, but Satan appeared when you responded with some of the same words as him. I will not sit in the presence of Satan.” [Musnad Aḥmad 9624]
In another narration it states that the Prophet (SAW) advised “Abu Bakr, know that whenever a person is subjected to an injustice but leaves the matter to Allah, then Allah will come to his aid.”
This story exemplifies the virtue of patience and the importance of not allowing ourselves to be provoked into unbefitting behaviour.
People would insult the Prophet ﷺ, argue with him, try to provoke him, and even abuse him. He never flipped out. He never lost his cool. He was always in control of his emotions, and his response served a larger purpose.
Proactive Measures locally
In Luton, there have been a number of activities including Luton Council of Masajid engaging with the local authorities and Bedfordshire Police to ensure that communities are safeguarded with some key messages:
- Not responding to hearsay: Sadly, misinformation led to much damage and harm and its important we don’t perpetuate it by forwarding on messages without checking them, especially if they can cause more fear and emotional reactions.
It’s important to check with the authorities to ensure the safety of our community and report any incidents of provocation or hate crimes.
- Community Solidarity: We are stronger together and there are very strong links across the town through community organisations, neighbourhoods and institutions. We need to promote unity and understanding among different groups. Lets take inspiration from Imam Adam Kelwick at the Abdullah Quilliam mosque in Liverpool who was looking out at a sea of people demonstrating outside the masjid. Around 50 of them had targeted the mosque as far-right riots erupted across the country; but hundreds more had turned out to support the mosque.
Rather than stay within the safety of those who had come to protect his place of worship, the Imam waited for the initial disruption to settle and then asked the Police to let him speak to the people on the other side. Through the discussion, he realised that some of the protestors shared genuine worries and fear, so he invited them into the masjid for a meal and theres an iconic photo of him embracing one of the lead protestors.
- Support Systems: Establish support systems to help those affected by Islamophobia, including counselling services, legal assistance, and community support groups like the Islamophobia Response Unit. Do report any concerns directly to the police and if you are in an emergency, call 999.
The Concept of Hilm (Forbearance)
In Arabic, we are all familiar with the term ‘Ilm’ referring to knowledge but the Quran also describes a key Prophetic trait – hilm (forbearance) which I’m going to focus on. It is a quality that requires patience, intelligence, and the ability to see the bigger picture while maintaining calm and tranquility.
The Example of Allah’s Forbearance: One of Allah’s beautiful names is Al-Halīm, the Forbearing. He observes our disobedience, yet He does not hasten to punish. Instead, He gives us time to repent and turn back to Him. This divine forbearance should inspire us to be more patient and forgiving in our dealings with others.
How do we develop hilm?
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنَ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنَا
These special people walk with a great sense of humility and that bring rahmah to the environment around them, that have a calming effect in the environment around them. And we said that this sort of refers to the default of the believer, the way that the believer carries themself. And then the second part of this is
وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِدُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
When they are addressed by the ignorant, they respond with salam (peace). The scholars say this is a difficult quality to attain – when someone is being difficult, either online or in-person. This special quality is called hilm, often translated as forbearance and it is a fruit of humility.
Hilm carries meanings of patience and intelligence. In regards to leadership, it means having the intelligence to see the big picture or a broader vision while also having the patience to execute on it. In general, it also carries connotations of clemency, deliberateness, gentleness, calmness, and tranquillity.
The Prophet ﷺ exemplified this characteristic on numerous occasions throughout his life. After being turned away from Ta’if, he was given the option to have the angels crush them under the mountains. Despite the emotion of the situation – being cursed at, physically abused, and chased out of the city – he instead hoped that their offspring would grow up with iman.
There are other incidents such as when the bedouin urinated in the masjid, or when a man came and violently grabbed his clothing and demanded money. In all of these situations we find what Aisha (r) described:
“Never did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ strike anyone with his hand, neither a servant nor a woman, unless he was fighting in the cause of Allah. He never took revenge upon anyone for the wrong done to him, and would [only] carry out legal retributions for the sake of Allah when the injunctions of Allah were violated.”
Self-control
Hilm is about making decisions with a clear mind, not out of anger or ego, but with the intention of justice and fairness. The Prophet (SAW) demonstrated this by setting boundaries and establishing justice when needed, but always with a sense of purpose and composure.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The strong man is not the one who wrestles well but the strong man is he who controls himself when he is in a fit of rage” (Sahih Bukhari).
لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ
It is easy to react impulsively, but true strength lies in restraint and thoughtful action. We must remember that our actions represent our faith, and we are accountable for how we respond.
But won’t people walk over me?
A natural reaction to praising a characteristic such as forbearance in the context of leadership is to worry about others taking advantage of us. The Prophet ﷺ showed righteous anger when the situation warranted, he spoke clearly and set boundaries when needed, and he established justice when required. The key is that he did those things with clear decision making, with purpose, and not out of emotion. The problem that we face is when we react out of a place of anger and ego, but shroud it in the guise of justice and fairness.
Bringing it all together: The Prophets (SAW) response
Imam Tabarani related in al-Mu`jam al-Kabeer “One day, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came out from his apartment with `Ali ibn Abi Talib. A Bedouin, riding his camel, came to him and said: “O Messenger of Allah! A group of my people of such and such a clan have accepted the faith and embraced Islam. I used to tell them that if they embraced Islam, there would be great abundance in their provision [due to divine blessing].
Now, however, they are facing famine due to lack of rain. I fear, O Messenger of Allah, that they will leave Islam out of greediness as they embraced it out of greediness. If you think it proper, send something that would suffice them.”
The Prophet looked to the man next to him, who I believe was `Ali, who replied: “O Messenger of Allah! Nothing is left with us.’”
A man called Zaid ibn Su`nah who was a great Jewish scholar of Madinah approached the Prophet and said: “O Muhammad! If you desire, rent me such and such garden of dates for a fixed period of time.”
He replied: “No, but I’ll rent you a certain amount of date [palms] until such and such period without specifying the garden.”
I replied: “Alright.”
Thus, he rented them to me, and I opened my purse and took out eighty mithqaal of gold (350 grams) to pay for the particular dates for a fixed period. The Prophet handed the gold to the man and instructed him:
“Help them through this and distribute it justly.”
Zaid ibn Su`ah goes on:
“Two or three days before the fixed period was to end, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came out with Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), and a number of other Companions to offer the funeral prayer. When he finished the prayer and approached a wall to sit against it, I came to him, grabbed him by his shirt and cloak, and looked at him angrily and said:
“O Muhammad! Why don’t you pay off my due?! By Allah, I know nothing of your family except deferment [on debts]. I know well of your people.”
Saying this I looked at `Umar whose eyes were bulging and turning out of anger. He glared at me and said:
“O enemy of Allah! Did you actually just say what I heard to the Messenger of Allah? Did you really just do to him what I saw? By the One Who holds my life in His hand, if I were not concerned with [the Prophet’s] leaving us, I would have struck your head with my sword.”
The Messenger of Allah, who was looking at me quietly and patiently, said: “O `Umar! We don’t need this. I was more in need of your advice to pay off his loan well, and your advice to deal courteously. Go with him `Umar, pay off his loan, and give him twenty extra saa` (44 kilograms) of dates because you frightened him.”
Thus, `Umar took me, paid off my debt, and gave me an extra twenty saa` of dates. I asked him: “Why this increase?”
He replied: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered me to give you this for my scaring you.”
I asked: “Do you recognize me, `Umar?”
“No”, he said. “I am Zaid ibn Su`nah”, I said.
“The scholar of the Jews?”
“Yes, the same one.”
“Then what made you behave and speak with the Messenger of Allah as you did?” he asked.
“O `Umar!” I replied.
“I recognized all of the signs of prophethood upon seeing the face of Muhammad save two signs that were not immediately evident: That his forbearance would precede his rashness, and that his forbearance would increase upon encountering excessive rashness. Now I have recognized these two signs as well.
Bear witness, O `Umar! I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad as my Prophet. Also bear witness that I give half of my wealth – and I have plenty of wealth – in charity to the nation of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).”
`Umar and Zaid returned to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and Zaid publicly announced: “I bear witness that none is worthy of worship besides Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger and I believe in him.”
Thus, Zaid testified to the Prophet Muhammad’s message and took the pledge of allegiance on his hand. Zaid participated in a number of battles along with the Prophet and was martyred in the expedition of Tabuk whilst facing the enemy and not in retreat. May Allah be pleased with him.
Ali ibn Abi Talhah reported: Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Allah has commanded patience at a time of anger, and forbearance and forgiveness at a time of being wronged. If they do so, Allah will protect them from Satan and subdue their enemies such that they become like dear friends.” Source: Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī 41:34
Conclusion: As we conclude, let us remember the words of Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (RA), “Hold to forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant” (Quran 7:199). We are commanded to endure the bad character of people and respond with patience and forbearance. May Allah (SWT) grant us the strength to embody these qualities and unite our hearts in times of trial.
May Allah (SWT) protect our community and guide us to respond to all provocations with wisdom, patience, and forbearance. Ameen.
Hilm must be practiced. This requires looking at events through a different lens. When provoked, look at it as an opportunity to cultivate this characteristic. Mu’awiya (r) said, “No one has forbearance without it being put to the test (Adab al-Mufrad).”
We hope that by treating others with hilm, Allah will be merciful to us.
One of His beautiful names is Al-Halīm. Al Ghazali explained that Al-Halīm is “the One who observes the disobedience of the rebellious, and notices the opposition to the command, yet anger does not incite Him, nor wrath seize Him, nor do haste and recklessness move Him to rush to take vengeance, although He is utterly capable of doing that.”
“If God were to punish people [at once] for the wrong they have done, there would not be a single creature left on the surface of the earth. He gives them respite for a stated time and, whenever their time comes, God has been watching His servants (35:45).”
Allah (swt) has the right to exact justice, and yet He defers. He grants clemency, waiting for us to heed the call to repent and turn back to Him. Whenever the name Al-Halīm occurs in the Qur’an, it is always paired with another Name of Allah giving us additional context. It is mentioned alongside Al-Ghafūr – He not only delays, but also forgives and wipes away the sins. Al-Halīm is mentioned alongside Al-Shakūr showing us that not only does He overlook our sins, but He will also reward us with more than we deserve. It is mentioned alongside Al-’Alīm. He knows in detail every misdeed we have done, nothing escapes His knowledge, and in spite of this He is still withholding His anger and giving the opportunity to repent. And it is mentioned alongside Al-Ghanī, the One free of all needs. He does not need anything from us, or any favor from us, He is the one who forgives.
It is ironic that when we discuss having hilm for ourselves, we worry about people taking advantage of us. We should reflect on how many opportunities Allah, Al-Halīm, continues to give us that we squander.
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Wahb ibn Kaysan reported: Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, said upon the pulpit, “Hold to forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199). By Allah, we have not been commanded but to endure the bad character of people. By Allah, I will endure it from them as long as I accompany them.”
Source: al-Adab al-Mufrad 244
Ali ibn Abi Talib reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, taught me to say when I was afflicted with distress, “There is no God but Allah, the Forbearing, the Noble. Glory be to Allah, blessed is Allah the Lord of the Great Throne, and all praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 701
Imam al-Shafi’i, may Allah be pleased with him, said in his poetry, “If a fool speaks to you, do not answer him, for the best answer is silence. If you speak to him, you have delighted him. If you leave him, he nearly dies in anguish.”
Source: Dīwān al-Imām al-Shāfi’ī 38
