We were in Ankara on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. We were planning to travel to Istanbul to visit my late older brothers. Before setting out, I needed to go somewhere and take care of a task. I told my wife and children, “Be ready and wait. When I return, I’ll ring the bell, then you can come downstairs and we’ll leave.”
On my way back home, I was driving down a large boulevard. Suddenly, a car pulled out from the gas station in front of me. I applied the brakes and slowed down. At that exact moment, the car behind me crashed into my vehicle. The driver got out and immediately started shouting. By God’s grace, at that moment I was given patience. I said nothing. Shortly afterward, a traffic police officer arrived. He turned to the driver behind me and said, “Why are you shouting? Unless the driver in front of you is intoxicated, if you hit him from behind, you are 100% at fault.”
The officer then asked me to blow into a breathalyzer. I complied. After completing his report, he officially stated that the driver behind me was entirely responsible.
Since the rear of my car had been damaged, we could not continue our journey with it. A friend of ours had a second car. I immediately called him. He told me, “The car is parked at such-and-such a place and is available. The key is with the owner of the shop next to it.” I went there right away, left my own car, and picked up his. Then I returned home and rang the bell. My wife and children came downstairs. When they asked, “What happened? Whose car is this? Where is your car?” I replied, “Just enjoy the grapes; don’t ask about the vineyard. Get in the car.” We set off, and later I explained everything to them.
If I had failed to remain patient and had started shouting as well, I would have become stressed and upset. With such a negative state of mind, we might even have postponed our trip to Istanbul. Had we done so, the family members who had been looking forward to the journey would have become disappointed and tense as well. How beautiful patience is, and how many good outcomes it can bring when practiced, as this example clearly shows.
In reality, learning to be patient at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances is extremely important both for individuals and for the societies in which they live. Being patient especially at the very first moment when an incident occurs is particularly valuable. It helps prevent mistakes, saves unnecessary expenditure of energy, and protects one’s emotional well-being.
Human life is a short journey in which joy and sorrow, success and failure, reunion and separation are intertwined. One of the most important spiritual values that sustains us throughout this journey is patience. Patience is not merely enduring hardship; it is also walking steadfastly on the path one believes to be right, controlling one’s anger, maintaining composure in the face of difficulties, and preserving one’s humanity under all circumstances.
Life is, in a sense, a school of patience. From the moment we open our eyes to the world, we begin learning patience, consciously or unconsciously. We patiently endure repeated falls while learning to walk; we patiently struggle through letters and words while learning to read; and we patiently invest years of effort to acquire a profession. Patience accompanies us in our relationships, separations, illnesses, successes, and failures.
When we examine the lives of great figures who have served as examples to humanity throughout history, we see that one of their most prominent qualities was patience. Prophets in particular, along with many other influential individuals, overcame severe trials through patience and thereby became beacons of guidance for humanity.
At every level of education, the subject of patience should be taught regularly and illustrated with meaningful examples. Such teaching can help rehabilitate individuals and contribute to the peace and well-being of society.
Just as a cell in the human body does not react instantly when stimulated by an external trigger such as a needle, but instead responds after a very brief period known as the latent period, human beings should also avoid reacting impulsively to events. Immediate and disproportionate reactions often create situations that require much more time and energy to repair later.
Therefore, learning patience is first and foremost important for the individual. Life is brief. According to faith, human beings are created with the potential to attain an eternal life symbolized by infinity. Therefore, during this short earthly life, we must use our experiences, knowledge, and perspectives wisely, striving to spend our time in the most productive way possible. Even this itself requires patience. Those who successfully operate in “patience mode” will be among the successful both in this world and in the Hereafter.
When people think of patience, they often think only of major calamities. Yet patience is needed in every aspect of life. The sacrifices made by parents while raising a child are acts of patience. A student’s years of diligent study in pursuit of goals are acts of patience. Continuing to struggle during illness instead of giving in to complaints is patience. Avoiding hurtful behavior in relationships, controlling anger, and being forgiving are also different manifestations of patience.
Learning patience comes through reading, observation, reflection, and benefiting from the experiences of patient and wise individuals. Patience is a vast and open-ended subject. Understanding it by reading the language of time and circumstances correctly and applying it where needed benefits a person both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Today, patience may be more necessary than ever before. We live in an age of speed. We want everything immediately. Even an internet connection delayed by a few seconds can make people uneasy. Our tolerance for waiting is diminishing. Yet the most valuable achievements in life require time. A tree takes years to grow; a scholar requires long years of effort; lasting friendships, strong families, and enduring success are all built through patience.
Recent history also provides many beautiful examples of patience. People who endured wars, migrations, disasters, and numerous hardships nevertheless held on to life, continued working, and left hope for future generations. If we enjoy peace today, it is due in large part to the sacrifices and patience of those who came before us.
Patience is not passive waiting. Patience means not giving up while striving, not growing weary while working, standing up again after falling, and entrusting the outcome to God. A patient person understands that events are temporary. They believe that dawn follows even the darkest night. This belief provides strength, hope, and endurance.
Patience is a unique virtue that matures a person, strengthens character, and elevates the soul. Great figures throughout history have demonstrated this truth through their lives. Today as well, patience remains an indispensable key to solving personal, family, and social problems. Showing resilience at the first moment of adversity, persevering on the path to success, and maintaining tolerance in human relationships are among the greatest blessings that patience brings into our lives.
All people, beginning with God’s prophets, have been tested in different ways and continue to be tested. Prophet Job (Ayyub), despite being a prophet of God, lost his wealth and possessions. Various members of his family passed away, and he suffered severe illnesses. Yet he never abandoned patience. He continued his prayers, both material and spiritual, and eventually God restored his health and improved his circumstances. He left humanity the enduring prayer: “O God, grant me the patience of Job.”
The story of Prophet Job is especially meaningful for those experiencing illness, aging, financial loss, loneliness, or unexpected difficulties. Patience is not the absence of hardship; it is remaining devoted to God amid hardship.
Likewise, Prophet Jonah (Yunus) was cast into the sea in the middle of the night and swallowed by a great fish. There, in the darkness of the fish’s belly, he demonstrated patience. Realizing that only the Almighty Creator could help him, he turned sincerely to God in prayer. As a result, he was eventually delivered safely to the shore.
The life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is also filled with examples of patience. During the Meccan period, he endured insults, boycotts, and various forms of persecution without abandoning his mission. He maintained his compassion and mercy toward people. Even when he was stoned in Ta’if, he chose to pray for those who harmed him rather than curse them, demonstrating the lofty moral character of patience.
As history has shown through many examples, figures such as Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1878–1960) and Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi (1938–2024) also displayed remarkable patience in the face of hardships, injustices, and oppression. Because of their sensitivity to moral principles, they avoided wrongdoing such as violating others’ rights, telling lies, pursuing selfish interests, or considering themselves superior to others. They remained within the ethical framework of the Qur’an and consistently exemplified patience in practice.
These examples can be multiplied endlessly. We can observe similar examples in ourselves and in many people around us today, and we admire them.
What, then, is required of us? While taking all necessary precautions and fulfilling our responsibilities, we should prepare ourselves in advance to remain patient in the face of events beyond our control. During what may be called “active patience,” we should not merely sit and wait. Rather, we should use the abilities, experiences, and opportunities God has given us, consult with others, and do our utmost to overcome difficulties.
Patience is not merely waiting; it is also a process of construction. Through patience, a person builds character, strengthens willpower, and matures spiritually. The patient individual not only overcomes hardship but also transcends personal limitations.
Blessed are those who do not lose hope amid life’s ups and downs. Blessed are those who show resilience at the first moment of adversity. Blessed are those who continue walking despite every obstacle. For those who walk with patience often gain something even more valuable than reaching their goals: a strong character, a peaceful conscience, and a heart opened to the pleasure of God.
Life is short, and there is much to do. Rather than wasting our energy on trivial matters, we should focus on what is most important and beneficial for both this world and the Hereafter. By consistently practicing active patience and sharing these virtues with others through appropriate means and manners, we can strive to be among those who succeed in this world of testing and in the life to come.
If a person is impatient, suffers injustices, struggles with illness, faces oppressive rulers, receives little understanding from colleagues, spouses, or children, or finds themselves surrounded by difficulties and troubles, should they not, instead of shouting, complaining about destiny, or criticizing fate, emulate Prophet Job and wait with active patience? Should they not seek help from God, who answered prayers in the past, answers them today, and will continue to answer them in the future?
What do you think?
