What did al-Ghazali say about patience (ṣabr)?

"He—may اللّٰه have mercy on him—has a work on this subject, in which he elaborated on it in about twenty different ways, but this is not the place to mention them. The purpose here is to discuss patience, its reality, its levels, and its rank. And اللّٰه is the one who grants success. §§U0007§§ Chapter: Types of Patience Patience by اللّٰه, for اللّٰه, and with اللّٰه Chapter: Types of Patience Patience is of three types: patience by اللّٰه, patience for اللّٰه, and patience with اللّٰه."

"Patience is of three types: patience by اللّٰه, patience for اللّٰه, and patience with اللّٰه. The first type is patience through seeking help from Him, recognizing that He is the one who grants patience. As اللّٰه says in the القُرْآن: "And be patient, and your patience is not but through اللّٰه." This means that if He does not grant you patience, you will not be patient."

"while the previous one pertains to description and quality. عَلِيّ بْن أَبِي طَالِب, may اللّٰه be pleased with him, said: "Patience is a mount that never stumbles." A man approached الشِّبْلِيّ and asked, "Which type of patience is the hardest for those who are patient?" الشِّبْلِيّ replied, "Patience for the sake of اللّٰه." The questioner said, "No." الشِّبْلِيّ then said, "Patience for اللّٰه." Again, the questioner said, "No." الشِّبْلِيّ continued, "Patience with اللّٰه." The questioner still said, "No." الشِّبْلِيّ asked, "Then what is it?" The man replied, "Patience away from اللّٰه." الشِّبْلِيّ let out a cry that nearly caused his soul to depart."

"How do they endure it?" And he recited: "Patience is beautiful in all situations... except with you, for it is not beautiful." It is also said that patience is seeking help from اللّٰه. It is said that patience is the act of refraining from complaint. Another saying goes: "Patience is like its name, its taste is bitter, but its outcomes are sweeter than honey." It is also said that patience is to be content with the loss of oneself for the pleasure of the one you love."

"It is said of the verse, "Persevere, vie for endurance, maintain resilience," to mean persevere in God, endure for God, and maintain resilience with God. Additional interpretations state patience for God brings enrichment, patience with God entails loyalty, and patience from God is ingratitude. And it is said, "Patience away from you yields disreputable outcomes... patience in all other matters is commended." It is also said, "Patience is fitting in all situations..."

"loss of wealth, illness, blindness, disfigurement, and various forms of tribulation. Patience in these situations is considered one of the highest forms of patience. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, explained that patience in the Qur'an appears in three forms: patience in performing Allah’s obligations, patience in refraining from prohibitions, and patience upon receiving calamity at the first blow."

"Thus, the law of religion should be the criterion for patience. The idea that patience constitutes half of faith should not lead you to believe that all forms of patience are commendable; rather, it refers to certain specific forms of patience. The Need for Patience and the Servant's Inability to Dispense with It in Any Situation: Know that everything a servant encounters in this life is of two types: what aligns with his desires and what contradicts them, which he dislikes."

"explaining how it constitutes half of faith, and detailing the differing narrations regarding: "The faith is two halves: one half patience and the other half gratitude." The Virtue of Patience Allah, the Exalted, has described the people of patience with numerous attributes and mentioned patience in the Qur'an in over seventy places. He has linked most ranks and virtues to patience, making them its fruits."

"Fear God in abandoning it - meaning do not abandon patience, for goodness and safety lie in patience - and the Prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him and his family and companions, said: "Patience is to faith as the head is to the body." And it was said: Everything has a reward in proportion, except the reward of patience, for it is boundless and immeasurable. As He, the Exalted, said: "Indeed, the patient will be given their reward" "Patience is to faith as the head is to the body," because patience is involved in every aspect, indeed in every matter of religion, so it is to faith as the head is to a person."

"God Almighty said: "O you who believe, be patient, and vie in patience, and remain steadfast, and fear God so that you may succeed." Surah Al Imran 3:200. He commanded you to be patient, O believer, then to persevere and remain steadfast, to maintain and adhere to it, then warned you against abandoning it, then said: Fear God in abandoning it - meaning do not abandon patience, for goodness and safety lie in patience - and the Prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him and his family and companions, said: "Patience is to faith as the head is to the body." And it was said:"