al-Muddaththir

وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ

وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ

وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ

وَلَا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ

وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ

3. And magnify your Lord!
4. And purify your garments!
5. And keep away from impurities.
6. And give not a thing in order to have more.
7. And be patient for the sake of your Lord!

Five significant Injunctions are revealed unto the Noble Prophet (S) following his call to rise and warn. These injunctions serve as models for the people. The first injunction concerns monotheism:

Laying emphasis on the word

which precedes the imperative verbal form kabbir ("magnify") indicates exclusivity and reflects the question of monotheism substantiated by an argument in such brief clause. It is so interesting and meaningful that the Qur’anic clause is so terse and concise. The mere utterance of

"Allah is the Greatest"

is not intended, though such utterance is an implication reflected in the traditions as well, but the utterance is intended to say that the believers are supposed to magnify their Lord in terms of belief, words, and practice. God Almighty is supposed to be regarded as possessing the Attributes of Beauty and glorified of any defect. He is too Glorious to be describable. It is narrated from the Ahl al-Bayt that

"Allah is the Greatest"

intends to say that God Almighty is far Superior to be described and comprehended by mankind. Therefore, uttering such clause is far comprehensive than glorification which merely includes being glorified of any kind of defect. Proceeding with the question of monotheism, the blessed Verse 4 includes the second Injunctions as to purity from impurities, saying:

The word

may herein serve as a metaphor for human deeds, since the deeds are likened to clothes as the outward appearance reflects the inward beliefs and feelings. Some also maintain that the word "clothes" herein indicates heart and soul, namely purify you heart from impurities. Where the clothes are supposed to be cleansed, the one who wears them is accorded precedence.

Some have also held that the word denotes the outward clothes, since their purity constitutes the most significant token of character, education, and culture. Pre-Islamic Arabs hardly accorded attention to keeping away from impurities and their clothes were generally unclean. It was quite common, as in the case of those entangled in the age of ignorance, to wear quite long garments, such that their garments were soiled out of being dragged while they walked.

The blessed Verse 7 makes a reference to the last Injunction, saying:

Once more, we are faced with a comprehensive meaning of patience and steadfastness against the ignorant polytheists’ and the enemies’ abuses. The blessed Verse is urging the believers to be steadfast in obedience to Allah’s Commands and be patience in struggling against concupiscent desires and the enemies of the faith. Patience is indubitably the basis and the safeguard of all the aforesaid plans. It is principally the best means of propagating the faith and guiding people.

Thus, patience is accorded attention is many a Qur’anic Verse. As reflected in the Nahj al-Balagha, it is narrated from the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ‘Ali (as) as saying:

"Patience and steadfastness in the cause of the faith is like the head against the body.”

Therefore, patience and steadfastness serve as the most significant of the plans of the Prophets (as) and the men of God. The more they faced hardships, the more they grew patient. Regarding the Rewards of the patient, the Noble Prophet (S) is reported as saying:

"Allah says that whenever I inflict some afflictions upon my servants’ bodies, property, or children, they face them patiently and I cannot measure their deeds nor may I open up their record of deeds." ⁴

Having been inquired regarding faith, Allah’s Messenger (S) replied:

"Half of faith lies in patience." ⁵

In this respect, it is narrated from Imam ‘Ali (as) as saying:

"Ward off sorrows through good certitude and patience." ⁶