Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 329
! ! 329 country? ’ (In Europe , people often keep their doors closed). I answered, ‘ We do have doors, and they are also kept open. ’ The woman misunderstood me and believed me to be inferring that we were hospitable , while Europeans were not. ” Along w ith gratitude, you should show compassion for each other. In addition, w omen should practice in themselves a great deal of patience, which they often lack. The capacity for pa tience can be developed through practice. It is extremely rare for women in our country to be patient , for they do not practice it and it is only acquired through hard work and courage. Here , they begin to cry at the slightest hurt, but when you are at war with other nation s, what good will crying do ? The Sahabiat [female companions of the Holy Prophet sa ] developed forbearance , endurance , and patience through practice. One Sahabia ra lost her father, son, and husband in war. She showed no concern for them but continued to ask after the Holy Prophet Muhammad ’s sa wellbeing. When she learned that the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa was alive and well, she said, “If the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa is alive, then I will not grieve. ” Likewise , when surrounded by enemies during a battle , a female companion removed the poles from a tent and fought so fiercely against the enemy that they fled. However, the women of our country begin to cry at the most minor of difficulties whilst also claiming that they are being patient. This so - called patience is no patience at all. Once the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa was passing by and came upon a woman crying desperately. He asked her why she was crying in such a manner. He was told her child had died. He approached her and advised her to be patient. She replied that only he who had been stricken [with such grief] , could understand her pain. S he did not recognize the Holy Prophet sa. She said, “If you had lost a child, only then could you understand how painful it is. ” The Holy Prophet sa replied, “I have lost many children. ” After the Holy Prophet sa left , someone informed the woma n that he was the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. The woman ran after the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa and said, “I did not recognize you. Please forgive me. I will be patient. ” T he Holy Prophet sa replied, “What use is patience now? You