Quran Verses About Patience (Sabr) and Hope in Hard Times
What the Quran says about patience (sabr): key verses with references, the meaning of 'beautiful patience', ease after hardship, and how Muslims apply sabr in daily life.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
Sabr — patience, endurance and steadfastness — is one of the qualities the Quran praises most. It appears in many surahs, in stories of prophets and in direct guidance to believers. Below are some of the best-known passages with their references; the Arabic shown is taken from the verified text, and you can open each reference to read it in context.
Ease comes with hardship
In Surah Ash-Sharh (94), a short Meccan surah of comfort, the Quran repeats that with hardship comes ease:
فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرًا ٥ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرࣰا ٦ Classical commentators noted that “hardship” is repeated with the definite article and “ease” without it, and explained this as one hardship being met by more than one ease.
Seek help through patience and prayer
2:45 and 2:153 tell believers to seek help through patience and prayer, and the second adds that God is with those who are patient. Shortly after, 2:155–157 describes being tested with fear, hunger and loss, and gives good news to the patient who, when struck by disaster, say that they belong to God and to Him they return — words Muslims repeat to this day on hearing of a death or a loss.
“Beautiful patience”
In Surah Yusuf (12), the Prophet Jacob (Ya’qub), told that his son Joseph has been lost, responds with sabrun jamil — “beautiful patience” (12:18), and repeats it after a second loss (12:83). Scholars explain beautiful patience as patience without complaining to people, while still turning to God in grief — Jacob says his complaint is to God alone.
Patience as a condition of success
The three verses of Surah Al-'Asr (103) say that humanity is at a loss, except those who believe, do good, and urge one another to truth and to patience:
وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ ١ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡرٍ ٢ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ ٣ The early scholar al-Shafi’i is reported to have said that if people reflected on this surah alone, it would be enough for them.
The reward of patience
39:10 says the patient will be given their reward without measure, and 3:200 calls believers to patience, to outlast in patience and to remain steadfast.
Three kinds of patience
Scholars commonly describe three kinds of sabr:
- patience in obeying God — keeping up prayer, fasting and good deeds when they are hard;
- patience in avoiding wrong — holding back from what is forbidden;
- patience with what one cannot change — illness, loss and hardship.
Sharing these verses
Verses of patience are among the most shared on social media. Share them with the reference and a named translation, and keep the context — see how to share Quran verses correctly, or make a short video of a passage with its recitation.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the Quran say about patience?
- It describes patience (sabr) as a quality God loves, promises that hardship is followed by ease, and links patience with prayer and trust in God.
- What is sabr?
- The Arabic word for patience and steadfastness: holding firm in hardship, persisting in doing good and restraining oneself from wrong.
- Which surah is about patience?
- Patience is a theme throughout the Quran. Surah Al-'Asr (103) names it as one of four qualities of those who are not at a loss, and Surah Yusuf (12) tells a long story of patience.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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