As-Sabur

The Timeless, The Patient

As-Sabur

The Patient, The One who does not quickly punish the sinners.

Allah is As-Sabur, The One who is most patient and enduring. He does not act in a hastily manner but rather waits until the proper time. He does not punish the disobedient and unbelievers, he allows time for them to repent or an opportunity to take the right path.

Mentions From The Quran & Hadith

From the root s-b-r which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be patient, to be enduring to endure trial or affliction with good manner to be contented in trial or affliction without show of complaint to make no distinction between comfort and affliction to bear calmly, to persevere cheerfully to be steadfast, constant to restrain, confine, restrain, withhold from something.

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Quran 103:3)

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. (Quran 3:200)

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Quran 2:153)

And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allah. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire. (Quran 16:127)

As-Sabur Details

Name

As-Sabur

As-Sabur in Arabic

صبر

Arabic root

(ر ب ص)

As-Sabur meaning in English

 The Most Patient, The Forbearing, The Long-Suffering

As- Sabur meaning in Urdu

"صبر کرنے والا

Appearance in the Quran

The specific name As-Sabur does not appear in the Quran, but the root "ص ب ر" appears in various forms, emphasizing the attribute and virtue of patience.

Tasbeeh

It is often advised to recite As Sabur 100 times to develop patience and perseverance.

Definition/Meaning of As-Sabur

"As-Sabur" (الصبور) translates to "The Most Patient One" or "The Patient One." "Al-" (ال) means "The" and "Sabur" (صبور) means "Patient." As-Sabur is a unique and potent name for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى. In summary, we can say that “As-Sabur” is used for the One who is the epitome of patience and tolerance. One who wants his followers to portray similar characteristics in their personal lives, too.

This name shows that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى has infinite patience, compassion, as well as tolerance. It also shows that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى always gives time to his followers so that they may have some time to repent and fix their mistakes. He can wait patiently, observes his followers without any rush and blesses them with countless rewards if they repent.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (Qur'an 2:153)

Allah promises to those who remain patient and humble the best of treatment in the hereafter. He gives a chance to turn back to Him; He is tolerant and does not hurry to punish.

فَٱصۡبِرۡ صَبۡرٗا جَمِيلًا

"So be patient with gracious patience." (Qur'an 70:5)

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى is patient with his creation, giving them time to repent and be restored. He patiently waits for his creatures to realize their mistakes. Not just this, He also waits for them to ask for forgiveness. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى retrains himself and does not act quickly in punishing his creatures. He shows patience and wisdom before expressing his wrath. If the follower realizes his mistake, He is always merciful. His creatures can ask for His mercy anytime they want. He is all-knowing of the past, present, as well as future, which is how he displays His acts of wisdom.

Significance of As-Sabur

As-Sabur" (الصبور) is the name that signifies patience, self-control, and tolerance among the believers. It is advice from Allah himself that asks his followers to remain patient and steadfast during times of difficulty and suffering. It gives a certain level of comfort and relief during difficult situations. As-Sabur" (الصبور) is a prime example for all the believers that teaches them to bear all of the situations with patience. Implementing these practices in our daily lives helps us to develop spiritually. Moreover, it also allows us to build self-awareness and self-control.

It helps to put complete faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى, His mercy and His timing. It encourages us to ask for forgiveness and patiently wait for his blessings. The name As-Sabur" (الصبور ) helps the believers to stay focused in their lives and be present in the moment. It inspires all believers and encourages them to ask for Allah’s support and mercy. Ultimately, it helps to foster stronger connections with our Creator and helps to build a sense of closeness and affection.

Where to Use As-Sabur

There are no limitations to when this name should be recited. However, Muslims must develop a habit of reciting As-Sabur (الصبور) during prayer, especially when they are looking for a sense of patience and guidance or when they are looking for a solution to hardships. Moreover, one must also recite this name during difficult times of hardship, illness, or loss.

Reciting this name is nothing less than a miracle, especially when dealing with difficult situations. It brings us peace when recited during anxiety, depression, or emotional turmoil. If you feel like you have lost control over life at any point in your life, that is the best time to recite this name.

It is also ideal to include this name in your daily Dhikr list. You can recite it during spiritual practices such as meditation or Quranic recitation. Allah's names must be recited as Dua and Dhikr to gain personal and spiritual rewards.

How Many Times to Read As-Sabur

There is no limit to reciting the name of Allah. However, you can recite it thrice during every prayer or supplication. You can repeat it 11 or even 33 times daily as a Dhikr to foster a spiritual connection with Allah.

Preferable Time to Read As-Sabur

The most peaceful time of reflection on one’s life is early morning before sunrise. Although there is no preferable time to recite the name, it can be repeated before sunrise. If you recite it before bedtime, it will help to promote patience and peace. If it is recited during tahajjud prayers, it helps get spiritual growth and guidance.

You can even recite it frequently during the last ten days of Ramadan to gain maximum blessings. You can even recite it during the Jummah prayers before the Friday sermon. Muslims can even recite it while completing the rituals for Hajj and Umrah.

Using As-Sabur in Daily Life

Start your day by reciting the name "As-Sabur" (الصبور), which helps to promote patience and personal self-awareness. It helps to stay focused and relaxed while we perform our daily duties. You can build a practice of reciting the name during your work hours or the break so that you may be grateful for all the blessings for the entire day.

If at any point, you are feeling nervous or depressed about anything and want to relax, then you must recite this name. Reciting "As-Sabur" (الصبور) during communication will help you get out of difficult situations and will help to promote understanding between two individuals. Recital of these names allows you to foster peace and a bearing nature. You will feel a spiritual connection with your Creator and be more thankful for all His blessings.

Naming Children After As-Sabur

Selecting a name with a beautiful name is the responsibility of every parent. You must name your child after As-Sabur (الصبور) if you wish to promote the values of patience, tolerance, and self-discipline in them. You can request blessings from pious and learned individuals such as Imams or Islamic scholars for your child.

Acts of charity can be performed on behalf of the child, like giving to the poor or donating to a good cause. Including the child's name in supplications during prayer will help them have Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى blessing and guidance.

Sharing stories and lessons from the Quran and Hadith about patience and tolerance can help children with their spiritual understanding. Helping the child develop a prayer habit, starting with simple prayers like "Subhan Allah" (سبحان الله) or "Alhamdulillah" (الحمد لله). 

Stories of prophets like Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلَّم) Prophet Ayub عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and Prophet Yusuf عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ should be shared with children for patience and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى. Children should be taught to express appreciation to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى for blessings and to cultivate a sense of satisfaction. Children can develop self-awareness and self-reflection if they ponder about their actions to improve.

Names of Allah with the Same Meaning

There are several other names of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى that signify the qualities of patience, mercy, forgiveness, and guidance. Recital and reflection on these names can help you form a stronger connection with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى and instill a higher sense of trust in Him.

The recitation of the names of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى sincerely helps us in seeking guidance and connection with Allah's divine attributes. These are some names of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ تَعَالَى, which have the same meaning as As- Sabur" (الصبور)

  • Al-Halim (الحليم): The Forbearing
  • Al-Tawwab (التواب): The Forgiving
  • Al-Ghaffar (الغفار): The All-Forgiving
  • Ar-Rahim (الرحيم): The Merciful
  • Al-Afuww (العفو): The Pardoning

Mentions from the Quran About As-Sabur

Following are some verses and ayats mentioning sabar:

  1. إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِين

“Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (2:153)

  1. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِين

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salāt (the prayer).

Truly! Allah is with As-Sābirīn (the patient ones, etc.) (Surah al-Baqarah 2:153)

  1. وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

And seek help in patience and As-Salah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashiin (i.e., the true believers in Allah) (2:45)

  1. فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe. (Ayat 18, surah Yousuf)

  1. وَلِرَبِّكَ فَٱصْبِرْ

And for the sake of your Lord, observe patience. (Ayat 7, Surah Mudaththir)

References from Hadith

  1. Abu Sa’id and Abu Hurairah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ reported that the Prophet () said:

“Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience” (Reference Al-Bukhari Book 1, Hadith 37)

  1. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah () said:

The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance. (Reference Sunan Ibn Majah 4032)

  1. Abu Hurairah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated:

The Messenger of Allah () said, “Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you safety; (but) when you encounter them, show patience” (Reference Al-Bukhari Book 12, Hadith 1351)

  1. Narrated by Abu Huraira رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ:

Prophet () said, “If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5645)