A Prayer for the Road
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Umar ibn Dharr used to pray, O Allah, grant us patience that brings us the reward of the patient, and gratitude that brings us the increase of the grateful. Grant us patience with what we dislike of Your decree, and contentment with it. And gratitude for what we love.
It is reported from A’ishah that Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and said, Allah commands you to pray with these words, and He will grant you one of them. O Allah, I ask You to hasten Your wellbeing, or give me patience in Your trial, or take me from this world to Your mercy.
Ibn al-Sammak said, whoever rides patience grows strong in worship. Patience away from the dunya is the head of detachment. Patience away from sin is truly hating sin. And patience in obeying Allah is the root of all good.
Malik ibn Dinar would weep and tell his companions, be patient in obeying Him. It is only a little patience, and then a long, long joy.
Whatever you are carrying right now, remember the promise we began with. Whoever tries to be patient, Allah gives him patience. And no one has ever been given a gift better, or wider.
