Translator's Foreword–Patience

One of the most brilliant, gifted and worthy sons of Islam of our age; a great scholar, thinker, philosopher, jurisprudent, writer of great intellect, defender of honor of Islam during the deposed Pahlavi regime; and best pupil and outcome of the entire life of Imam Khomeini (RA) — Martyr Ayatollah Sheikh Murtaza Motaheri (RA) — who was martyred on May 1, 1979 by the terrorist Furqan group in Tehran — has said regarding the need of publishing suitable Islamic literature as follows:

"We are responsible people, we have not produced sufficient literature in various aspects of Islam in the current languages. Had we therefore made available pure and sweet waters in abundance, people would not have contented themselves with polluted waters."

Keeping the above in mind, I have tried to translate the book: Importance of Patience and Prayer in Islam by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei from Persian into English, as my insignificant contribution to produce a tiny drop of pure and sweet water. He delivered these speeches during Muharram of 1394 AH, 1973 AD at Masjid-e-Karamat, in the City of Mashad, Khorasan, I.R. Iran. The speeches contain valuable information in accordance the Holy Qur'an's verses, Holy Prophet's (SAW), and Ahl al-Bayt's (AS) most authentic traditions about the importance of patience. These books were first published in the form of two separate books namely: Discourse on Patience (Guftari der Bareyeh Sabr) and Profundities of Prayer (Azh Zharfhai Namaz). My earlier English translations of these books were published by Ansariyan Publications of Qum, I.R. Iran in the year 1994 and since then their several editions have been published. Now, it was considered appropriate to combine these two books into a single book under the title of: Importance of Patience and Prayer in Islam. As the writer of these books Grand Ayatollah Khamenei has stated: "An indifferent, unaware believer could be compared to a soldier in the battlefield, who is fighting naked without wearing armor. Such an ill-equipped soldier is most likely to be killed or disappear from the scene during the very first encounter. However an aware, conscientious, and knowledgeable Muslim with Islamic ideology could be compared to a soldier — who is fully clad in armor from head to foot and is fully equipped with all the required armaments. Obviously, for the enemy to defeat such a well equipped soldier is a relatively difficult task."

The struggle between the total belief and blasphemy is going on fiercely on all fronts namely: Militarily, economically, and culturally. The most severe among them is the cultural onslaught being waged by those who worship the darkness or devil, don't believe in God's existence, life after death, hereafter, day of resurrection, and accounting of deeds etc. This ideological and cultural struggle is most crucial, because once people are deprived of their basic ideology beliefs, and culture, then the pagans become victorious without firing a single bullet and waging a single military operation. Islam as God's Last Monotheistic Message still possess, the Holy Qur'an that had still remained completely unchanged in its original form unlike earlier divine scriptures revealed to other divine messengers, together with the most authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his Ahl al-Bayt (AS) who lived for a period of 250 years after his sad demise. However it's just a matter of its true and sincere implementation in our daily lives. Sometimes it happens that a society possesses theoretical knowledge and fundamental beliefs of its religion nevertheless the circumstances are such that it's practical implementation is not possible due to many complex factors of modern living in high-tech societies.

The role of patience has been emphasized a lot in the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet's (SAW) and Ahl al-Bayt's (AS) most authentic traditions. Also patience has been described like honey which is sweet but bitter, it's practicing is rather difficult but God always helps those who try to practice it. In a nutshell the position of patience in the complex of Islam is responsible for fulfillment of all aspirations, and all short term and long term goals whether individual or social. In the Persian poetry lots of beautiful verses have been complied in describing the importance of the patience. Here we would present the following few examples like a drop from the infinite ocean of Persian literature:1

Sayyid Rohullah Mosavi has translated Imam's (AS) verses about the patience in the Persian as follows:

"Agar pursi tu az hale nihanam,

Choo kohe sabri az ranje jahanam.

Chira az darde khud goyam ke beenam,

Aduv, shad ast wa ghamgeen dostanam."

English Translation:

"If you ask about my inner sorrows,

Like a mountain of patience, in facing world's sorrows.

Why should I speak about my hidden pains,

To make my enemies happy & friends sad."

And the following:

"Goyand sang l'al shaved der maghame sabr,

A'ari shaved, walik beh khune jigar shaved."

— Hafiz Shirazi

English Translation:

"It's said that a stone turns into ruby due to patience,

Yes, it does so, but only through drinking his own lever's blood."

And another one:

"Sad hazara kimya haq a'afrid,

Kimyai hamchoon sabr adam nadeed.

Sabr karden jane tasbeehate tust,

Sabr kun ke a'an ast tasbeeh drust.

Heech tasbeehi nadarad a'an daraj,

Sabr kun al-sabr mafateeh al-faraj."

English Translation:

"God has created one thousand alchemies,

Men have not seen an alchemy like patience.

Practicing patience is the soul of Your praises,

Be patient since it's the correct praise.

None of the praises have such quick result,

Be patient because it's the key of divine help."

— Molana Romi

And the following:

"Yousuf husani wa ein a'alm choo chah,

Vein rasan, sabr ast bar amrillah."

English Translation:

"Joseph the handsome; and this world is like a well,

That rope — is the patience by God's command."

— Molana Romi.

Following is a sermon regarding the importance of patience in the Path of Eloquence (Nahj al-Balagheh) of Imam Ali (AS):

"When God witnessed their patience in resisting tortures and hardships, which were inflicted upon them, because of their love for Him and in their following path of truth; he opened over them gates of divine assistance in the midst of those difficult bottlenecks of misfortunes. The deprived of yesterday after that find them as rulers, their glory, fame, and prestige reached to the point that which had never been seen in their best dreams."

Now the best manifestation of above sermon of Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (AS) could be example of the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. He was exiled by Pahlavi regime in Iranshahr (Sistan and Baluchestan Province) — a town with worst climatic conditions in southeast of Iran — before the victory of Islamic Revolution. Today, after 37 years or so, by the divine help he is the Supreme Leader of I.R. Iran and may God prolong his life until the appearance of the Lord of Age Imam al-Mehdi (AF) accompanied by the Holy Prophet Jesus Christ (AS).

Further, God has clearly reminded us that Islam is the greatest source of power and it can do wonders, that power of faith is far mightier than that of superpowers. The Holy Qur'an has stated as follows:

"God has promised such of you as believe and do good works that He will, surely make them to succeed (the present rulers) in the earth, even as He caused those who were before them to succeed (others); and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He hath approved for them, and will them in exchange safety after their fear. They serve Me. They ascribe nothing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve henceforth, they are the miscreants. Establish worship and pay the poor due and obey the messenger, that haply ye may find mercy. Think not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. Fire will be their home — a hapless journey's end."

— The Holy Qur'an (24:55-57).

The book consists of five chapters covering various aspects of patience and its direct relationship with the final victory: Importance of Patience, Importance of Patience in Traditions, Patience in Islamic Codices, The Fields of Patience, Historical Examples, and Advantages and Effects of Patience. I have tried to be loyal to the Persian text with best of my abilities. The notes added by the translator have been indicated by [Tr]. I am sincerely indebted to Dr. Muhammad Jowad al-Ansari, Detroit, Michigan for his prompt help in the translation of Arabic texts. Of course special thanks are due to very skilled and professional Author House Publishing team namely: Rowella Alvaro and Allen Endrina for their sincere cooperation and diligence in publishing the book in an excellent manner. Although I have tried my best to make its translation as simple as possible, nevertheless, it's obvious that this translation won't be without mistakes, errors, and omissions for which I apologize to my readers in advance and sincerely welcome their valuable suggestions and comments. May God, bless all those who have contributed in completion of this work, its translator, publisher, readers, with The Holy Prophet's (SAW) intercession on the Day of Judgment! Amen.

With God's blessing since the Islamic Revolution of Iran under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (RA), in 1979, the curiosity to learn and understand the pure and true Islam has already overwhelmed Islamic as well as non-Islamic world. People do have access to the Holy Qur'an's various English translations but it needs to be complimented with the Holy Prophet's (SAW) Ahl al-Bayt's (AS) learning, knowledge, and most authentic traditions. There is a special need for translating them from Arabic/Persian into English, for the researchers, intellectuals, and truth seekers living in the United States of America and other western English speaking countries.

Sayyid Hussein Alamdar,
Ahl al-Bayt (AS) Islamic Cultural Services (AICS) of USA. alamdar_zaidi2000@yahoo.com
www.sayyidalamdar.com
www.amazon.com/author/sayyidalamdar
Rabi Al-Awaal 1437 A.H, Azar 24, 1394, December 15, 2015

Biography of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei

He was born in the year 1939 in the holy city of Mashad in Khorasan province, Northeastern Iran. Both his parents belonged to religious scholarly families and he spent his childhood years in a spiritual atmosphere. He successfully completed his theological studies at the famous Islamic Seminary of Qum in the year 1964 and subsequently pursued religious studies at the Theological Academy at Mashad till the year 1968. During the deposed Pahlavi regime he was one of the most beloved and bright pupil of Imam Khomeini (RA), and was considered to be one of the most prominent and trusted leaders of the Islamic movement, which entered into a new critical phase on 5th. of June 1963 (15th of Khordad, 1342), after Imam Khomeini's (RA) historical stand against the ex-Shah's regime. During this struggle he was repeatedly arrested and spent three years in prison between 1964 and 1978. Later he was exiled for almost a year to a place with one of worst climatic conditions.

In 1978, upon his return from exile and at the height of revolutionary struggle of Iranian Muslims, together with a few of his close associates he led the struggle of people in Khorasan. Later in the same year when Imam Khomeini (RA) headed the Islamic revolutionary movement from Naples Le Chateau at Paris, France, he was selected to be a member of the Revolutionary Council. After the down fall of monarchy and formation of revolutionary government, he was entrusted with responsibility of representing Revolutionary Council of Army. He also served as deputy for revolutionary affairs at the Ministry of Defense, and later on was appointed as Commander of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). He was also chosen to lead Friday Congregational Prayers in Tehran, by the Leader of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), and was elected to the first Islamic Consultative Assembly, as representative of Tehran in 1980. After the formation of Supreme Defense Council, he was nominated to be representative of the Leader of Revolution. He was one of the founding members of Islamic Republic Party in Iran and was appointed as its first Secretary-General.

He was victim of an un-successful assassination attempt on 27 June 1981. His speech at Consultative Assembly was instrumental in Bani Sadr's dismissal from the presidency of Islamic Republic of Iran, and while addressing congregation after leading prayer in a mosque in Tehran, a time bomb exploded nearby, seriously injuring his hand, face, and chest. He was immediately rushed to the hospital by devoted people of Tehran and miraculously survived. His right hand however is still not functioning properly. In 1981, following Muhammad Ali Rajaei's martyrdom, second President of Islamic Republic of Iran, he become a candidate, and was elected as President of Islamic Republic of Iran with 95 % of votes cast in his favor by Iranian people (the total number of votes was 16,847,717). He was reelected as President in 1985 for a second term. He also headed Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution. During imposed war, he visited various fronts, and continuously inspected front lines in order to boost the morale of Islamic Combatants and to give advise on organizational matters. After the sad demise of Imam Khomeini (RA) , Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Assembly of Experts (Majlis-e-Khubregan) selected him as the next Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran on June 4, 1989.

He has a good command of Persian, Arabic, Azeri, and Turkish languages as well as is also acquainted with English. Grand Ayatollah Khamenei is an eminent scholar and religious authority in the Islamic jurisprudence and is one of the most eloquent orators in the Islamic world at present. In addition to writings, he has a sense of appreciation for literary and poetic work. He has translated numerous books on Islam and history. His translations include Future of Islamic Lands, An Indictment against Western Civilization, and Imam Hasan's (AS) Peace Treaty. From his writings one may mention: The Role of Muslims in the Independence Struggle of India, General Pattern of Islamic Thoughts in the Holy Qur'an, Importance of Patience and Prayers, Understanding Islam Properly, Imam Sadiq's (AS) Life, A 250 years Old Human Being, and a collection of lectures about the Vicegerency (Vilayat). He was also a co-writer of famous pamphlet: Our Positions, which helped political, social, and philosophical advancement of Islamic Republic Party. Other contributors were Martyr Ayatollah Beheshti, Martyr Hujjatul Islam Dr. Bahonar, and Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Importance of Patience

Patience is considered to be one of the best known terms in Islam. In Islamic literature, this phrase occurs with frequency in proportion to different occasions and in various fields with a tone of encouragement, discussion of rewards, praise, and explanation about its importance. It's therefore natural that Muslims become familiar with its meaning, understand this special phrase, and try to breed this virtue within themselves with best of their abilities. Unfortunately, alteration or tampering, which is a very common calamity especially for Islamic phrases, has not left this term untouched, and it could be said that up to a large extent its form, matter, and substance have been completely metamorphosed.