Forbearance

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever has forbearance Allah will help him. Whoever tries to be independent, Allah will enrich him. Whoever tries to be patient, Allah will give him patience. And no one is given a better or vaster gift than patience.” [related from Imam Malik in Muwatta]

Forbearance is the reservoir from which spring other beautiful qualities of character. Generosity cannot happen unless one is content/does sabr with what one has; bravery cannot exist in a person unless he/she can have patience with the consequences; kindness exists in a person when they consider others and not give prime importance to themselves, rather exhibit patience with their own situation. Therefore, patience is a treasure, for without this treasure one cannot exhibit the other qualities required to earn the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta'ala). The most content person in the world is the Mumin who has been gifted with patience.

The beautiful thing about forbearance is that the more you force yourself to it the more it grows in you and becomes a part of your nature. It is like a smile, for when you smile your brain begins to believe you are happy and you genuinely feel happy.