وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
15:89, 98; 27:71.
Commentary:
In this verse, the word صبر (patience) has been used in a sense different from that in which it has been used in the previous verse. When permission was given to Muslims to take up arms against disbelievers, the Holy Prophet realized that Divine punishment was about to overtake the latter. His heart became filled with pity for them and he was much grieved. So in this verse God has comforted him by saying that these people have made themselves deserving of punishment and therefore he should be resigned to God’s decree.
This shows that the Prophet’s heart was full of the milk of human kindness, even for those from whom he had received abuse and injury.
The verse also signifies that the Prophet’s patience was not mere helpless and passive resignation to a condition which was beyond his control but was in perfect harmony with Divine decree, and it is only an act done under God’s command that brings spiritual credit to the doer.
15:89, 98; 27:71.