SHAFAQNA – A faculty member at the University of Religions and Denominations said: The patience that Imam Ridha (AS) speaks of is not merely a passive tolerance of problems, but rather an active, conscious, and constructive patience.
According to Shafaqna, on the occasion of the martyrdom of the eighth shining star of Imamate, Imam Alī ibn Mūsā-al-Ridhā (AS), Dr Rahman Boualhasani, a faculty member at the University of Religions and Denominations, in a detailed interview, explained and analyzed one of the Imam’s ethical-theological hadiths.
In this conversation, referring to the Hadith/narration: A believer will not be a true believer until he possesses three qualities: A quality from his Lord, a quality from God’s Prophet (PBUH), and a quality from God’s Imam (AS).
The quality from his Lord is keeping secrets, the quality from the Prophet (PBUH) is forbearance with people, and the quality from his Imam (AS) is patience in hardship and adversity. He said: By examining the various dimensions of this Hadith, one can recognize three fundamental traits upon which the faith of a Muslim depends.
Dr Boualhasani explained: The first quality is keeping secrets or confidentiality. This trait is in fact a direct imitation of the Divine Essence. The Almighty God, in many Verses/Ayahs of the Quran, emphasizes covering the secrets and faults of His servants.
When a believer safeguards the secret of a fellow believer—or indeed of any human being—he is embodying a divine attribute. This practice is not merely a simple ethical recommendation, but a practical exercise in drawing nearer to God, who is “Sattār-al-ʿUyūb” (the Concealer of faults). Confidentiality strengthens social trust and consolidates fraternal bonds.
The second quality, the faculty member continued, is forbearance with people. Referring to the practical conduct of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), he said: Forbearance means kindness, forgiveness, and consideration of others in social interactions. It was with this very trait that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was able to soften hardened hearts and transform a tribal and ignorant society into a virtuous community.
He never treated people with harshness or violence. A believer must also make this Prophetic tradition the model of his behavior. Forbearance is an instrument of invitation, a means of reducing rancor, and a factor in uniting the Muslim community. In today’s conflict-ridden world, this Prophetic tradition can open many doors and present Islam as a religion of mercy to humanity.
Patience in hardship and adversity: steadfastness in the school of Imamate. Explaining the third and final quality, patience in hardship and adversity, Dr Boualhasani said: This trait is inspired by the conduct and lives of the Infallible Imams (AS). The patience that Imam Ridha (AS) speaks of is not merely the passive endurance of problems, but rather an active, conscious, and constructive patience.
This patience means steadfastness in the face of desires, perseverance in performing religious duties, resistance against oppression and injustice, and endurance in the face of life’s afflictions. The history of the Imams, especially Imam Ridha (AS)—who himself faced various hardships and restrictions under the Abbasid regime—provides a living embodiment of this patience. This quality saves the believer from superficiality and elevates him to the depth of faith and genuine commitment.
Integrating the three traditions for the formation of a complete believer
Summarizing these three qualities, the professor stressed: They operate as an integrated system. Confidentiality (the Divine Tradition) regulates a believer’s relationship with God and with others. Forbearance (the Prophetic tradition) shapes the quality of his social interactions.
Patience (the Imamate tradition) forms the inner foundation of his resilience in facing all of life’s challenges. Together, they depict the complete picture of a true Muslim believer—one who worships God, treats people with kindness, and stands firm on the path of truth.
Finally, the faculty member at the University of Religions and Denominations described this Hadith as a guiding light for both personal and social life, saying: It is hoped that Muslims, by emulating these divine, prophetic, and Imamate traditions, may strive toward attaining God’s pleasure and building an exemplary society.