"Self-Purification Begins Here: When You Soar with the Wings of Patience and Gratitude"

 

Self-purification (Tazkiyah) is not a luxury or an optional spiritual exercise; it is a great objective of the Prophets' mission and the true path to success in this life and the Hereafter. Allah says:
"He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption]." [Surah Ash-Shams: 9–10]
True success is not measured by wealth or status, but by how pure and disciplined one's soul becomes. This purification can only be achieved through patience in the face of inner struggle and gratitude when witnessing the fruits of that struggle. Patience strengthens the will and helps a person remain firm on the path of obedience, while gratitude protects the heart from arrogance and fills it with contentment and humility. Scholars often liken the soul to a bird that cannot fly except with two balanced wings: the wing of patience and the wing of gratitude. If either wing is weak, the bird cannot fly straight—or at all.
The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. said:
"Amazing is the affair of the believer! Verily, all of his affairs are good for him. If something good happens to him, he is grateful and that is good for him. If something harmful happens to him, he is patient and that is good for him. This is for no one but the believer." [Narrated by Muslim]
In this way, the believer is always on the path of purification—whether in times of ease or hardship—because he flies to Allah with his heart, not with his circumstances.

The Meaning of Self-Purification and Its Importance in a Believer’s Life

In Islam, Tazkiyah al-Nafs (self-purification) means purifying the heart from sinful desires, cleansing it of bad traits, and adorning it with faith, noble character, and righteous deeds. Allah says:
"He has succeeded who purifies it." [Ash-Shams: 9]
Meaning: the one who purifies his soul through obedience and disciplines it with piety has truly succeeded. The Prophet peace be upon him. said:
"Truly, in the body there is a piece of flesh which, if it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart." [Bukhari & Muslim]
Thus, the purification of the soul begins with the purification of the heart.
The Qur'an mentions different types of souls, reflecting various spiritual levels:
The Soul that Commands Evil (An-Nafs al-Ammārah): Inclined by nature towards desires and sin, as mentioned in the words of the wife of Al-Aziz:
"Indeed, the soul is ever inclined to evil." [Yusuf: 53]
The Self-Reproaching Soul (An-Nafs al-Lawwāmah): The soul that blames itself after sinning, awakening the conscience and pushing toward repentance:
"And I swear by the self-reproaching soul." [Al-Qiyamah: 2]
The Tranquil Soul (An-Nafs al-Muṭmaʾinnah): The highest state of the soul—filled with faith, contentment, and surrender to Allah. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will say:
"O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him]." [Al-Fajr: 27–28]
Self-purification is a noble goal because it is a condition for the acceptance of deeds and the path to true success in both this life and the Hereafter. Through it, one draws nearer to Allah, gains His mercy, and earns elevated ranks in Paradise. Every sincere believer strives to move his soul from its evil inclinations to a self-reproaching state, and ultimately toward the tranquil soul.

Patience: The Wing of Strength and Steadfastness

If you seek to purify your soul, then know that the very first thing you need is the wing of patience, for it is the foundation of steadfastness, the fuel for self-discipline, and the believer’s shield against the trials of life. Patience in its essence is not mere endurance of hardship, but rather a profound act of worship that reveals the truthfulness of the believer, the depth of his trust in Allah, and the strength of his inner resolve. Allah says:
"And be patient, and your patience is not but through Allah." [An-Nahl: 127]
He also says:
"Indeed, Allah is with the patient." [Al-Baqarah: 153]
This special Divine companionship is the greatest aid a human being can receive.
In Islam, patience (ṣabr) is categorized into three great types, each one purifying a different dimension of the soul:

 1. Patience in Obedience (ṣabr ʿalā ṭāʿah)
This is the ability to persist in worship and acts of devotion despite fatigue or distractions—such as waking up for Fajr prayer in cold weather, fasting long days in the heat, or maintaining remembrance and seeking knowledge. The soul naturally inclines toward ease and comfort, and so this form of patience disciplines it to love goodness and remain committed to it.
 2. Patience in Avoiding Sin (ṣabr ʿan al-maʿṣiyah)
This involves resisting the temptations of sin, whether it be forbidden glances, backbiting, or unjust actions. This is called "patience of struggle" (ṣabr al-mujāhadah), and it is among the greatest acts of soul-purification, for it breaks the chains of desire and teaches the heart to revere Allah and remain conscious of Him.
 3. Patience in Trials (ṣabr ʿalā al-balāʼ)
This means enduring life’s hardships—illness, loss, poverty, injustice—without complaint or despair, but rather with contentment and surrender to Allah’s will. This type of patience produces a calm and tranquil soul that knows everything happens by Divine decree, and that every trial hides a mercy and wisdom.
 How Does Patience Purify the Soul?
Patience purifies the soul from haste, making it more deliberate and wise. It extinguishes anger and impulsiveness, as the patient person restrains his tongue and emotions. It also cleanses the heart of despair, filling it instead with hope and trust in Allah, even during life’s darkest moments.
 Powerful Examples of Patience in the Qur’an
Prophet Ayyub (Job) peace be upon him: He is the ultimate example of patience in trials. He suffered from severe illness, loss of wealth, and family, yet he complained only to Allah, saying:
"Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful." [Al-Anbiyaa: 83]
Allah healed him and rewarded him immensely, making his story a timeless symbol of resilient faith.
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) peace be upon him: He was patient with betrayal, temptation, and unjust imprisonment. Despite all, he remained chaste, faithful, and confident in Allah’s plan. Allah says:
"So be patient. Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost." [Yusuf: 90]
Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him: The leader of all the patient ones. He endured rejection, hunger, the loss of loved ones, and the harm of his people. Yet, he forgave even his worst enemies. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, he declared:
"Go, for you are free."
And in Ta’if, when he was most hurt, he raised his hands and said:
"O Allah, I complain to You of my weakness, my lack of resources, and my insignificance before the people..."
Patience is not weakness—it is a spiritual power that only hearts filled with true faith can attain. By cultivating patience, a soul becomes more purified, stronger against temptation, and more consistent on the journey toward Allah. Indeed, patience is the wing that balances and lifts the soul, and no bird can soar through the skies with only one wing.

Gratitude: The Wing of Light and Contentment

Just as patience grants the soul strength and stability, gratitude is the other wing that lifts it toward the heights of light and contentment. True gratitude is not just a word spoken by the tongue — it is a profound act of worship that includes the heart, the tongue, and the limbs, and through it, the soul is purified from arrogance, denial, and envy.
 What Is True Gratitude?
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim May God have mercy on him said:
“Gratitude is by the heart through recognition, by the tongue through praise, and by the limbs through obedience.”
By the heart: A deep inner conviction that all blessings come from Allah alone.
By the tongue: Speaking praise and thanks to Allah consistently, in ease and hardship.
By the limbs: Using the blessings Allah gave you to obey Him — not to disobey.
Allah said:
"Work, O family of David, in gratitude." [Saba: 13]
So gratitude is not only a feeling, but an action and a way of life.
 How Gratitude Purifies the Soul
It removes arrogance: Because the grateful person sees every blessing as a gift, not an entitlement.
It prevents denial: The ungrateful one overlooks Allah’s favors, while the grateful one lives in awareness of them.
It extinguishes envy: Gratitude helps you appreciate what you have and not envy others for what you lack.
 Gratitude Preserves Blessings — And Increases Them
Allah promised:
"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]." [Ibrahim: 7]
Gratitude keeps blessings safe, multiplies them, and protects the soul from greed and constant dissatisfaction.
Grateful people see their blessings as abundant — while the ungrateful always see what they lack, and so they live in bitterness and emotional poverty.
 Prophetic Examples of Gratitude
Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) Peace be upon him: When he saw the throne of the Queen of Sheba brought to him in the blink of an eye, he said:
"This is by the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful." [An-Naml: 40]
He saw blessings as a test and chose gratitude.
Prophet Nuh (Noah) Peace be upon him: Despite being rejected by his people for centuries, he remained thankful. Allah described him as:
"Indeed, he was a grateful servant." [Al-Isra: 3]
Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him: He used to pray at night until his feet became swollen. When asked, "Do you do this when all your past and future sins have been forgiven?" he replied:
"Should I not be a grateful servant?" [Bukhari and Muslim]
His gratitude was expressed through worship, sacrifice, and perfect character.
Gratitude is a light that guides the path to soul-purification. It allows you to see Allah's mercy in everything, frees you from comparisons, and fills your life with peace and contentment.
If patience is the wing of resilience, then gratitude is the wing of light — helping you rise in serenity toward closeness with Allah.

The Balance Between Patience and Gratitude: The Wings of Faith and Salvation

A bird cannot fly with one wing — and likewise, the believing soul cannot ascend or remain upright unless it combines patience and gratitude. These two wings complement each other and lead the heart to spiritual and emotional balance. As some of the early scholars said:
“Faith is half patience and half gratitude.”
Whoever perfects these two halves has completed their faith and reached the level of tranquility and contentment.
 How Does a Muslim Show Gratitude in Ease and Patience in Hardship?
In times of ease (blessings, success, good health): the believer does not become arrogant or heedless. Instead, they rush to praise Allah, using His blessings in obedience, saying:
"This is by the favor of my Lord", and viewing every blessing as a test, not merely a reward.
In times of hardship (trials, loss, pain): they do not despair or panic. Rather, they remain steadfast and hopeful, trusting that what Allah has in store is better, and that every trial carries wisdom and mercy.

The Prophet Peace be upon him said:
“Amazing is the affair of the believer! All of his matters are good: If something good happens, he is grateful — and that is good for him. If something harmful happens, he is patient — and that is good for him.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
 The Importance of Balancing Both Wings
If a person only focuses on one side and neglects the other, their spiritual state becomes unbalanced:
Only gratitude without patience may cause them to collapse during trials.
Only patience without gratitude may cause them to overlook blessings and live in negativity.
But when one combines both, they live in emotional and spiritual harmony: never overly delighted by ease, nor overly crushed by hardship — their heart remains attached to Allah, satisfied with His decree, hopeful in His mercy.
 What Scholars Said About Balancing Patience and Gratitude

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said:
“Faith is two halves: half is patience and half is gratitude.”
Ibn al-Qayyim May God have mercy on him said:
“Whoever worships Allah only through patience is halfway there; and whoever worships Him only through gratitude has fallen short. But the one who combines both walks the straight path.”

Life is a mixture of ease and hardship. The true believer is the one who maintains balance between both wings:
Patient in times of trial, and grateful in times of blessing.
Such a person never loses light in hardship nor becomes arrogant in comfort — instead, they live in peace and serenity, flying toward Allah with the two wings of patience and gratitude.

The Fruits of Purifying the Soul Through Patience and Gratitude

Purifying the soul is not just a spiritual concept — it’s a path of transformation that leaves clear effects on the heart, character, and life. When a believer adopts the two wings of patience and gratitude, these virtues begin to bear fruit both inwardly and outwardly. These are among the most precious outcomes:
 Clarity of Heart and Inner Peace

A heart that is trained to be patient in trials and grateful in blessings becomes free from bitterness, anger, and restlessness.
It sees life with clarity and accepts its ups and downs with calmness.
Allah says:
"Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest."
[Surah Ar-Ra’d: 28]

A soul that remembers Allah in patience and gratitude is filled with serenity.
 Closeness to Allah and Contentment with His Decree

Patience shows your trust in Allah’s wisdom.
Gratitude shows your love for His blessings.
By combining both, you draw nearer to Allah, and He fills your heart with contentment and certainty.

The Prophet peace be upon him said:
"Whoever seeks to be patient, Allah will grant him patience. And no one is given a gift better and more comprehensive than patience."
(Bukhari & Muslim)

The more you are patient and thankful, the more your soul finds tranquility in Allah’s decree.
 Strength in Facing Desires and Doubts

Patience protects you from falling into sins and harmful urges.
Gratitude makes you content with what Allah gave you, protecting you from greed, jealousy, and despair.
A purified soul doesn’t chase after every desire, nor is it shaken by every doubt — it is firm, balanced, and guided.
 Success in This Life and Triumph in the Next
The one who purifies his soul through patience stays committed to long-term goals.
The one who purifies it through gratitude moves forward with energy, joy, and hope.
Together, they lead to success in this world and victory in the Hereafter.

Allah says:
"He has succeeded who purifies it (his soul)."
[Surah Ash-Shams: 9]

Such a person is not lost in life’s distractions but is focused on lasting success.

Patience and gratitude are not just tools for survival — they are paths to a peaceful soul, a strong heart, and a fulfilled life.
They bring light in dark times, protect us in moments of temptation, and guide us closer to Allah.

What a beautiful state it is when a believer ends their day saying:
“O Allah, make me among the patient and the grateful — those whose souls You purified, whose hearts You brought near, and whose deeds You accepted.”

A Call to Action: Am I Truly Patient? Am I Truly Grateful?

Now that you've learned the meaning and rewards of purifying the soul, comes the most important question:
Am I truly living with patience? Do I truly practice gratitude?
Tazkiyah (soul purification) is not just knowledge to be memorized — it’s a way of life, a daily discipline.

Reflect honestly:

When hardship strikes, do I hold my tongue from complaining and remain patient?
When a blessing comes, do I humble myself and praise Allah, or do I forget and become arrogant?

These are the moments that define our inner truth — the tests where our hearts are either built or broken.
Practical Steps to Strengthen Patience and Gratitude Every Day
Here are simple but powerful daily habits to help your soul grow:
Daily Adhkar (Remembrance of Allah)
– Say often: “O Allah, make me among the thankful and the patient.”
– Morning and evening remembrances protect the heart and remind it of both trials and blessings.
 Reflecting on the Qur’an
– Read stories of the Prophets, especially Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), and Sulayman (Solomon), and notice how patience and gratitude shaped their lives.
 Self-Reflection and Accountability
– Each night, ask yourself:
– What did I show patience with today?
– What did I thank Allah for today?
 Gratitude Journal
– Write down three blessings every day, and say: “Alhamdulillah for these.”
 Daily Du‘a (Supplication)
– Ask Allah:

“O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You properly.”
(From the well-known du‘a taught by the Prophet peace be upon him)
Begin the Journey Today
Dear reader,
Don’t wait for life to calm down before you start purifying your soul — start now.
Let patience be your shield in hardship, and gratitude your fuel in ease.
Then you’ll witness how your heart becomes a garden of peace, and your life a path toward closeness to Allah.
 Make this intention now:
“Today, I begin my journey of Tazkiyah — flying with the wings of patience and gratitude.”