In order to preach the message of truth to every nook and corner of the world, the Holy Prophet remained steadfast with patience and determination, and endured greatest difficulties and hardships with great humility and patience. A few examples of which are given below:

Once Uqaba ibn Abi Mu’ayt placed heavy tripe of camel on sacred back of the Holy Prophet.  He was busy in prayer at that time. All the disbelievers, who were standing there, started laughing at the sacred Prophet of Allah. Fatimah bint Mohammad came and took off load from his sacred back and cursed the disbelievers. At this, the Holy Prophet said:

• O my beloved daughter! Be patient. May Allah guide them. They do not know what is best for them.

Ill Treatment of Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jamil bint Harb

Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jamil bint Harb, used to spread thorns in the path of the Holy Prophet. Due to her this act, the sacred feet of Prophet Mohammad injured, but he never cursed her.

Social Boycott at Shib Abi Talib

The disbelievers of Makah boycotted the Holy Prophet along with his sacred family and followers and they were besieged in the dark valley of Shib Abi Talib for three years. At this awful situation, he showed unparalleled patience.

Preaching Tour of Taif

During the preaching tour of Taif, the people of Taif treated him cruelly. The wicked boys of Taif threw stones at him until his feet were soaked with his sacred blood. Angel Gabriel asked permission to torment them but he refused and prayed for their guidance.

The Night of Migration

On the night of the migration, the disbelievers besieged the house of the Holy Prophet to kill him (God forbids). On this occasion Prophet Mohammad showed great patience too. So, Allah Almighty helped him to leave the house safely.

Advice to the Family of Ammar ibn Yasir

Ammar ibn Yasir and his mother Sumayyah bint Khabbat were brutally martyred in front of the eyes of the Holy Prophet. At this painful event, the Holy Prophet advised his family:

• O family of Yasir! Be patient.

Perseverance

Perseverance is a spiritual power to face the trials on the path of Truth with patience and courage. It is the base to succeed both in religion and the world. In the path of Faqr to keep travelling with perseverance is in itself a huge success. In the ardent love of Allah, a person should keep moving towards the destination bravely and should not feel afraid or nervous by the difficulties encountered. People are afraid of even a single calamity while lovers of Allah happily embrace countless blows. Even after knowing that this path is full of innumerable difficulties as is with the straight path, they put to sail their ship in the tsunami of love. (Sufism – The Soul of Islam)

Sultan Bahoo says:

• Faqr is the path of perseverance not of miracles or sensual desires. Perseverance is an attribute of the chosen ones while miracles are considered as filth and impurity on this path. (Ain-ul-Faqr)
• The person who remains perseverant on the path of Faqr becomes the holder of secrets of Allah. While one who rebels against Ism-e-Allah Zaat, leaves perseverance and returns to the world has turned his back on the kingly rank and the secret of Faqr. He is a vulture who has set his gaze on the carrion. Hence he will be disgraced in both the worlds and will never be satiated. (Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan)

Patience and determination literally mean being resolutely firm, unwavering, firmly established and perseverant. In sharia, patience and determination mean that while walking through the right path i.e. Islam, remain steadfast and have proper control over inner baser self in the time of distress, hardship, loss, pain, oppression and trials.