Al-Kāfi 2, record 243 of the digital edition

Translation

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoever expresses impatience, he does so only for a short time.’ “The Imam then said, ‘You must exercise patience in all of your affairs. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent Muhammad (a.s.) and commanded him to exercise patience and kindness and said, “Bear patiently whatever they say, do not yield to them and distance them gracefully (73:10). Leave the prosperous disbelievers to Me. . . .” (73:11) ‘Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has also said, “Virtue and evil are not equal. If you respond (to evil acts) by virtuous ones, you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends (41:34). Only those who exercise patience and who have been granted a great share of Allah’s favor can find such an opportunity.” (41:35) The Messenger of Allah exercised patience in suffering and hardships even when they (pagans) attacked him with bones (of large animals). He became very depressed, and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him, “We certainly know that you feel sad about what they say against you (15:97). Glorify and praise your Lord and be with those who prostrate themselves before Allah.” (15:98) They (pagans) rejected his message and caused him physical suffering so he became depressed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent him these words, “We certainly know that you (Muhammad) are sad about what they (the unbelievers) say. It is not you (alone) who has been accused of lying. The unjust have always rejected Allah’s revelations. (6:33) The Messengers who lived before you were also accused of lying, but they exercised patience. They were cruelly persecuted before We gave them victory. . . .” (6:34) The Holy Prophet held to patience firmly and they (pagans) spoke of Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, and called His words as lies. The Messenger of Allah said, “I remained patient about myself, my family and my honor, but I cannot remain quiet when they speak ill of my Lord.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him these words, “We created the heavens, the earth and all that is between them in six days without experiencing any fatigue (50:38). (Muhammad), exercise patience against what they say. . . .” (50:39) The Holy Prophet thereafter exercised patience in all matters and then he was given the good news of Imamat (Divine Authority) given to his descendents who were described as (people) exercising patience. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “We appointed from them as A ’immah (leaders) for their exercising patience to guide the others to Our commands. They had firm belief in Our revelations.” (32:24) ‘Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, “Patience is to belief as is the head to the body.” Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, appreciated this and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed these words: “Thus, the promises of your Lord to the children of Israel all came true because of the patience which they exercised. He destroyed all the establishments of the Pharaoh and his people.” (7:137) The Messenger of Allah said, “This is good news and compensation.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then made it lawful for him to fight the pagans. Allah then revealed these words, “Slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege and watch out for them. If they repent, perform prayers and pay the religious tax, set them free. Allah is Allforgiving and All-Merciful.” (9:5). “Then slay them for it is the recompense that the disbelievers deserve.” (2:191) ‘Allah caused them to be killed by the (forces) of the Messenger of Allah and his friends, and made it a reward for his exercising patience in addition to the rewards reserved for him in the next life. Whoever exercises patience nobly will not leave this world before Allah grants him delight to his heart in the matters of his enemies, in addition to the reward that is reserved for him in the next life.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.