Praying for Patience Before a Calamity: Is It Permissible?

Can We Ask for Patience Before Facing a Calamity?

Question: I have heard some people say that praying for patience before a calamity means first asking for a calamity for oneself and then asking for patience to endure it. Is it not permissible to pray for patience before a calamity occurs?

Answer: When someone is in a calamity or distress, they pray to Allah for patience, saying, “O Allah! Grant me patience.” But why would someone who is not in a calamity pray, “O Allah! Grant me patience”?

However, we can pray in this manner: “O Allah! Grant us patience in times of calamity.” This prayer means that if a calamity ever befalls us, Allah will grant us patience. This prayer is similar to how we pray to Allah, “O Allah! Protect us from trials,” or “O Allah! Protect us from calamities,” meaning we pray to Allah to protect us from trials and calamities before they occur.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (May Allah preserve him)

❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫