Believers! Be patient and remain steadfast so that you may succeed

Alhamdolillah - Allah has blessed us at Islam: My Ultimate Decision to reach our 2000th post today

Today, in our series of posts on Selected Verses from Selected Sürahs of Al-Qurʾān, we share the closing verse of Sürah 3. Āl-ʿImrān ("آل عِمْرَان " The Family of Imran). In the previous verses in Surah Āl-ʿImrān, the main subjects have been (1) The Battle of Uḥud, (2) Internal weakness of Muslims, (3) Threats of Hypocrisy and (4) Trials of faith. At Battle of Uhud, the second major conflict between the Muslims and the polytheists of Makkah, Muslims suffered a setback for ignoring the directive of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Therefore, the final verse of the Surah summarizes the survival formula of the Muslim Ummah.

From Qur'an, Surah Āl-ʿImrān:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اصۡبِرُوۡا وَصَابِرُوۡا وَرَابِطُوۡا وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ

“O you who believe! Be patient (ṣbirū), outdo others in patience (ṣābirū), remain steadfast (rābiṭū), and fear Allah (ittaqullāh), so that you may be successful.” 

This is the final verse of Surah Āl-ʿImrān — a powerful closing command after long discussions about trials, battles, hypocrisy, and perseverance (especially after the lessons of Uḥud).

There are three things in the verse Muslims have been charged with. These are Sabr, Musabirah and Murabitah. The fourth element is Taqwa which is a necessary ingredient of all three. Let us unpack this verse word by word and then dwell on what does Fear of Allah really means.

Connection to the Context

• Surah Āl-ʿImrān discusses: The Battle of Uḥud, Internal weakness, Hypocrisy, Trials of faith
• So when we reach this closing verse of the Surah, it spells out the survival formula of the Ummah which must be based on (1) Personal patience, (2) Collective endurance, (3) Strategic steadfastness, and (4) God-consciousness not animal like fear.

Word-by-Word Meaning

• Ṣbirū (Be patient): 
• The original Arabic word is " sabiru". This has two possible meanings. One is that whenever they are in confrontation with unbelievers, the believers should endure even greater hardships for their cause, and display a higher degree of fortitude than the unbelievers. The other is that the believers should try to excel one another in facing the opposition and hostility of unbelievers with courage and fortitude.
• 'Sabr' also means 'to hold' or 'to tie'. In the terminology of the Qur'an and Sunnah, Sabr' is the effort made to control and defend one's slippery self against what is temperamentally unpleasing. This 'Sabr' (roughly translated as 'patience' for want of an exact equivalent) takes three forms:
• Patience with Duties: It means that everything commanded by Almighty Allah and His Messenger must be obediently pursued, no matter how burdensome the adherence to them may appear to be. The aim is to keep one's self almost riveted to carry out injunctions despite hindrances.
• Patience against Sins: It means holding the desiring self back from whatever has been prohibited by Allah and His Messenger, no matter how desirable and appealing it may be.
• Patience in Distress: It means enduring in hardship and forbearing in pain and avoiding excessive anxiety. Such patience requires that all pain and comfort be taken to have come from Allah and from this realization comes the strength to keep one's self under control.
• To understand patience, please refer to our earlier posts: (1) Sabr: Patience with Perseverance - the best trait of a Muslim, and (2) Patience (Sabr) is not surrendering to the circumstances - But to the Will of Allah
• Ṣābirū (Outdo others in patience): 
• The word, 'Musabarah' is a derivation from Sabr. It means staying firm and steadfast against the enemy.
• This shows collective resilience. That is Competing in steadfastness - When others weaken, remain firm, and When others give up, endure.
• Ibn Kathir notes that Ṣābirū implies being more patient than the enemy, as their perseverance might waver while believers should remain steadfast.
• Rābiṭū (Remain steadfast / stay stationed): 
• This word originally refers to guarding the frontiers. This is interpreted as staying on the frontiers, vigilant against potential threats, and constant devotion to worship, effectively guarding oneself from evil and protecting the community.
• Spiritually it means: (1) Stay firm in your faith. (2) Remain connected to your mission. (3) Do not abandon your post in Islam.
• Some scholars also link it to: Staying attached to prayer and Guarding the boundaries of your heart
• Ittaqullāh (Fear Allah): This is the foundation of everything before it. Let us know What Does “Fear of Allah” Mean Here?
• Ittaqullāh (اتقوا الله) is an Arabic phrase frequently used in the Qur'an and Islamic literature, translating to "Fear Allah," "Be mindful of Allah," or "Guard yourselves against [displeasing] Allah". It stems from the root for piety (taqwā) and implies conscious awareness of God, acting in obedience to His commands, and avoiding His prohibitions.
• It means To protect yourself from Allah’s displeasure by obeying Him and avoiding sin.
• So in this verse, fearing Allah means: (1) Be patient for Allah’s sake (2) Compete in perseverance for Allah’s sake (3) Remain steadfast because you know He is watching (4) Make decisions knowing you will return to Him.
• It is conscious awareness, not panic.

In essence, this verse serves as a concluding, holistic guide for believers to maintain resilience and spiritual discipline in all life aspects, especially during times of conflict or hardship. 

Why Is Taqwā Mentioned Last?

Because patience without taqwā can become: Pride, Stubbornness, Tribal loyalty. But patience with taqwā becomes: Worship, Sincerity, and Success. That is why the verse ends with: “So that you may be successful (tufliḥūn).”

Without taqwā, patience becomes meaningless endurance. With taqwā, patience becomes a ladder to Jannah. Remember, true success is not worldly victory — it is divine acceptance. 

Practical Meaning for Today

In modern life this verse teaches:

• To be patient when facing hardship,
• To outlast the pressure when when society pressures you.
• To stay firm when when faith seems to on the declines.

Taqwā thus here means living every struggle with awareness of accountability. Remember Allah is watching to see who is steadfast in faith with patience and whose patience is wavering due to weak faith in Allah.

Deeper Reflection For many patience and, or steadfastness may mean differently depending on the quality of one's faith. So this verse can only make sense one truly believes that: 

• The reality of Resurrections and that there is a meeting with Allah
• There is accountability
• There is ultimate success beyond this life

In his Tafsir, Ibn Kathir explains Surah Ali 'Imran 3:200 as a comprehensive command to believers to embody four virtues: steadfastness in faith, perseverance against difficulties and enemies, remaining vigilant (stationed) on the frontlines of obedience, and fearing Allah (Taqwa). This, he notes, ensures ultimate success and piety.

Muslims need to be patient with complete trust in Allah. But at the same time Muslims need to be steadfast and never lowering their guard as did the archers on the battlefield of Uhud who abandoned their post and lowered their guard - something that cost very dearly to the Muslims. We need not lose patience when confronted with odds and defend our faith by never losing ground, no matter how lucrative the opportunity may look.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 3. Al-i'Imran (The Family of Imran) already published

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Do not Fear none But Allah - If you truly believe

Muslims dominated the many parts of the world including the entire present day Spain and most parts of Europe under the Ottoman Empire till it collapsed in the early 20th century. Their success story was unflinching faith in Allah and thus in their won capabilities. But as their faith started to wane and was replaced with the fear of their enemies, their hold on their empires also started to loosen up and they lost lands they had conquered with their sweat and blood for over many centuries.

Muslims once faced such hard times but it was faith in Allah that made them victorious as in Battle of Yarmuk when Muslim army beat the Byzantines, though greatly outnumbered. The Battle of the Yarmuk is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in military history, and it marked the first great wave of early Muslim conquests. The result of the battle was a complete Muslim victory that ended Byzantine rule in Syria.

Today we see Muslim world if not physically but subjugated mentally by non Muslims and are suffering from foreign invasions and losing their natural wealth. See how Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan were invaded and virtually destroyed with their natural treasures like oil pumped out by the invading forces. And the irony is that that when a Muslims country is invaded, the other Muslim countries look the other way and let havouc wreaked on their brethren.

We share a verse from Surah 3. Surah 3. Al-i'Imran: (verse 175) which encourages Muslims not to be afraid of rumours and strength and might of their enemies and nor listen to the rumours  deliberately infused in their mind so that they lose hope and courage. They are instead asked to have total and complete faith in Allah ofr it is only then that they can overpower their enemies.

اِنَّمَا ذٰلِكُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ اَوۡلِيَآءَهٗ فَلَا تَخَافُوۡهُمۡ وَخَافُوۡنِ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ‏ 

(3:175) It was Satan who suggested to you the fear of his allies. Do not fear them; fear Me, if you truly believe.

This refers to the terrifying rumours which were being spread in Al-Madinah. On the occasion of his return from Uhd, Abu Sufyan had challenged the Muslims to a fight the following year at Badr. But when the time approached, he could not find courage on account of the famine that was raging in Makkah. So in order to save face, he tried to shift on to the Muslims the responsibility for the postponement. Accordingly, he sent a special spy to Al-Madinah to terrify them by spreading rumours that the Quraish were making great preparations for war and collecting such a large army as could defeat any army in Arabia. This device of Abu Sufyan succeeded in producing the desired panic. When the Holy Prophet made an appeal to the Muslims to meet the Quraish in combat at Badr, it failed to produce any encouraging response. So much so that the Messenger of Allah had to declare before the gathered assembly, "I will go to the combat all alone, if none else is willing to go." It was then that 1,500 devotees volunteered to accompany him, and he reached Badr with them. From the other side,Abu Sufyan left Makkah with an army of 2,000 men. But after two days' journey, he told his men that it did not appear to suit them to have a fight that year, and that they would come next year for it. Accordingly, he returned to Makkah with his men. The Holy Prophet, however, waited for him at Badr for eight days. During these days, his Companions did profitable business with a trading party. Then he came to know that the disbelievers had gone back to Makkah, and he returned to Al Madinah.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends,) meaning, Shaytan threatens you with his friends and tries to pretend they are powerful and fearsome. 

Allah said next, (so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.) meaning, "If Shaytan brings these thoughts to you, then depend on Me and seek refuge with Me. Indeed, I shall suffice you and make you prevail over them.'' 

Similarly, Allah said, 

(Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!) [39: 36], until, (Say: "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust must put their trust.'') [39:38]. 

(So fight you against the friends of Shaytan; ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytan.) ﴿4:76﴾ and (They are the party of Shaytan. Verily, it is the party of Shaytan that will be the losers!) [58:19],

(Allah has decreed: 

"Verily, it is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious.'' Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.) [58:21] and

(Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause).) [22:40] and

(O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you) [47:7], and,

(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe, in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth. The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode.) [40:51,52]

Qur'an Wiki: Finally, the passage concludes with explaining the reason behind fear. It is Satan who tries to depict his allies as a source of might. The believers must be on their guard never to entertain any fear of Satan or his allies. They must fear God alone, the Almighty Who overpowers all forces: “It is but Satan who prompts people to fear his allies: so, have no fear of them, but fear Me if you are truly believers.” 

It serves Satan’s purpose to show his allies as powerful and mighty, able to inflict harm on, and cause benefit to others. By doing so, he has the chance to spread evil and corruption on earth. People will surrender to his allies and allow them to do whatever they want. No one will contemplate standing up to them or foiling their evil purpose. When evil appears to be too powerful and people are paralysed by fear, then Satan’s allies can accomplish what he wants of them. Thus, right appears to be wrong and wrong is shown to be right. Evil and corruption become widespread while truth and justice are suppressed. The evildoers make deities of themselves to perpetuate the suppression of goodness and to protect evil. When no one is able to stand up to them, evil becomes triumphant while the truth is overshadowed and forgotten. Satan is a deceptive sorcerer who hides behind his allies while at the same time causing people to fear his allies. But God exposes him as he truly is, without cover. The believers are made aware of Satan’s scheming. Thus, they can be on their guard and they have no fear of him or his allies. 

Both Satan and his allies are too weak to be feared by any believer who relies on his Lord and has His support. The only power to be feared is the one which truly can cause harm and benefit. That is God’s power, feared by those who believe in God. By fearing God alone they are the most powerful of all people. No other force can stand up to them. Hence, God instructs the believers in these words: “It is but Satan who prompts people to fear his allies: so, have no fear of them, but fear Me if you are truly believers.” 

Please listen to explanation of the ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allah help us to have total faith in Allah which can be bolstered by understanding Qur'ān and acting upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

• Towards Understanding the Quran
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In addition the references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More