Sabr (Sufism)

In this state there is joy in spiritual bliss and kinship with God. God is reached through turning towards him in a life of renunciation and love. Afflictions on the path of search for God are welcomed. The first stage is of repentance and of no longer complaining; the second is the ascetic stage, satisfaction with what has been decreed; finally, as a friend of God, the follower loves what God does with him. The attitude of thanksgiving is developed – patience follows gratitude, for there is gratitude for the contentment of soul and for full satisfaction. There is awareness of God's favour and grace and the beginning of surrender to God.

The doctrines of sabr, mahabbat and ma'rifa were elaborated by the Sufi scholar Abu Talib al-Makki and followed and interpreted by many others. Sabr is the fifth stage in a systematic account of various stations of the Sufi spiritual path. However, it is the seventh stage on the path to sainthood of the Naqshbandiyya order. According to Shaykh Abu Sa'id ibn Abi'l-Khayr, this is the seventh of 40 stations or maqamat the Sufi must possess for his journey on the path of Sufism to be acceptable.