Patience upon things which we can’t comprehend: It is not eas | Ilm4all

Patience upon things which we can’t comprehend:

It is not easy to maintain patience when one sees things happening in a way he cannot comprehend. This is why the status of the one who endures patiently is ever great. If the loss of someone or the burden of deprivation is breaking your back, then remember that one day all these difficulties will pass you by. So, be content with what you have as this will help you through this transitional phase.

And remember what al-Khidr said to Moosaa عليه السلام:

وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا

{And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?}
[Surah al-Kahf (18): 68]

It is not like that Moosaa عليه السلام was impatient. As, Allaah تعالى said elsewhere:

فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ

{Therefore, be patient (O Muhammad ﷺ) as did the Messengers of strong will…}
[Surah al-Ahqaaf (46): 35]

He عليه السلام was a Messenger of Allaah, and he only spoke when he saw things happening against the Shareeah.



Notes:

Tafseer Muyassar:
{And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"}, meaning: “How will you be patient about the things that I am going to do, about which Allaah تعالى taught me, while it was hidden from you?”

Tafseer al-Tabaree:
{And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"}, meaning: al-Khidr said to Moosaa: “How will you remain patient, O Moosaa, after seeing me doing things about which you do not know the real motive behind them? And how will you stay by my side in carrying them out? Whereas, perhaps, you judge the correctness of the action, and the wrong of the wrongdoer, based on what is apparent to you, and according to the limited knowledge that you have. As for my actions, they are without apparent evidence, and which is not correct according to your opinion. These actions are being carried out based on the events which will happen in the future and not anytime soon, and you have no knowledge of how it will unfold (if these actions are not carried out), as the knowledge about this is hidden from you.”

Tafseer Ibn Katheer:
{Verily, you will not be able to have patience with me!} meaning: “You will not be able to accompany me when you see me doing things that go against your law, because I know from Allaah that which He تعالى has not taught you, and you have knowledge from Allaah that which He تعالى has not taught me. Each of us has responsibilities before Allaah that the other does not share, and you will not be able to stay with me.”

{And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not}, meaning: “For I know that you will denounce me justifiably, but I have knowledge of Allaah's wisdom and the hidden interests which I am aware but you are not.”

Tafseer al-Sadee:
{And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"}, meaning: “How can you be patient with a matter when you have no knowledge of either its hidden or apparent aspects and you do not know the purpose behind it or how it will unfold?”

Tafseer al-Baghawee:
{Verily, you will not be able to have patience with me!} meaning: “al-Khidr had said to Moosaa عليه السلام, rather, he said this because he knew that Moosaa عليه السلام is going to see things which are apparently wrong, and it is not permissible for the Prophets (of Allaah) to remain silent when something wrong takes place. And al-Khidr informed Moosaa عليه السلام (beforehand) about the excuse that will make him not remain patient when he said: {And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"}