Forbearance –
The non-Muslim uncle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Jahl, once publicly supplicated to Allah, the Exalted, that if Islam was the truth from Him, then he should rain down stones on them or bring upon them a painful punishment. In this regard, Allah, the Exalted, revealed chapter 8 Anfal, verses 32-33:
“And [remember] when they said, “O Allah, if this should be the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky or bring us a painful punishment.” But Allah would not punish them [i.e. complete destruction] while you, [Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him], are among them, and Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.”
This has been discussed in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, Number 4649.
Generally speaking, it is important to understand a principle in Islam. The punishment of Allah, the Exalted, is not always apparent to people, such as stones raining down from the sky. Often the punishment is so subtle that the wrong doer may even struggle to understand that they are being punished for their persistent disobedience. An example of this is facing mental and emotional problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.
In addition, completely destroying a stubborn and evil nation before the message has been delivered completely and before the Holy Prophet, peace be upon them, is commanded to leave his nation is against the tradition of Allah, the Exalted.
Allah, the Exalted, does not hasten the punishment for the one who deserves it out of leniency. Instead He gives them an opportunity to sincerely repent and rectify their behaviour. The Muslim who understands this will never give up hope in the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, but will not also cross the limits and adopt wishful thinking by believing Allah, the Exalted, will never punish them. They understand that punishment is only delayed not abandoned unless they sincerely repent. So this divine name creates hope and fear in a Muslim. A Muslim should use this delay in order to repent and hasten towards good deeds.
A Muslim should act on this divine name by being lenient with people especially, when they demonstrate bad character. They should show leniency towards others just as they desire Allah, the Exalted, to be lenient with them in their moments of heedlessness. But at the same time they should not be lenient with their own bad characteristics knowing that punishment for sins is delayed not permanently abandoned until they sincerely repent. They should also remain steadfast in leniency by replying evil with good according to the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Chapter 41 Fussilat, verse 34:
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”
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