The States of the Soul and Being Patient

Chapter Eleven: The States of the Soul and Being Patient

Know, disciple, that the beginning of the path is patience, and it's end is thankfulness. Its beginning is difficulty, and its end is bliss. Its beginning is toil and weariness, and its end is opening, unveiling and arrival at the ultimate goal which is the gnosis of God, arrival to Him, being comforted by Him and standing in His noble Presence with His angels standing before Him. The one who makes gracious patience the foundation of all his affairs attains to every goodness, reaching everything he hopes for, and wins all that he seeks.

[Excerpt from Good Manners by Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad -Trans. Mostafa Al-Badawi]