Patience is a highly valued trait across many cultures. It shapes our personality and mindset and, therefore, helps reshape our entire life.
For Arabic learners, it is useful to learn common phrases about a key trait like patience. It helps them understand the language better and makes it easier to use new words and phrases correctly in their everyday speech.
(This article is part of a series where we explored Arabic proverbs about wisdom, good morals, knowledge, justice, friendship, and love.)
In this blog, we will explore 13 Arabic proverbs about patience from MSA and Arabic dialects. We will provide you with the pronunciation and the English translation of these proverbs.
We also talk about the meaning of Sabr and see how this key Islamic value is highlighted in the Quran and Hadith.
7 Arabic Proverbs About Patience in MSA
The following proverbs are common in Modern Standard Arabic. They are heard in classical speech or used in writing.
| English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Patience is the key to relief. |
Al-ṣabr miftāḥ al-faraj |
الصَّبرُ مِفتَاحُ الفَرَج |
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Whoever is patient will succeed. |
Man ṣabara ẓafira |
مَن صَبَرَ ظَفِرَ |
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In patience there is safety, and in haste there is regret. |
Fī al-ta’annī al-salāmah wa fī al-‘ajalah al-nadāmah |
في التَّأنِّي السَّلامة وفي العَجَلَة النَّدَامَة |
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Indeed, tomorrow is near for the one who waits. |
Inna ghadan li-nāẓirihi qarīb |
إنَّ غداً لنَاظِرِهِ قَرِيب |
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Whoever is patient will achieve what they wish for. |
Man ta’annā adraka mā tamannā |
مَن تَأَنَّى أَدرَكَ ما تَمنَّى |
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Patience is beautiful. |
Al-ṣabr jamīl |
الصَّبر جَمِيل |
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With patience comes relief. |
Ma‘a al-ṣabr al-faraj |
مَعَ الصَّبرِ الفَرَج |
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6 Arabic Proverbs About Patience in Arabic Dialects
Patience in hard times is key in Islam, and Muslims seek help through patience to be rewarded by Allah. This perseverance is reflected in many common Arabic sayings about patience, which you can learn to better understand Arabic culture and enrich your Arabic language.
Since these are used in everyday speech and spoken dialects, it is more useful to learn them before other formal expressions in classical Arabic, especially for beginners and those who want to improve their Arabic speaking skills.
Here are 6 Arabic sayings about patience from common Arabic dialects:
| Dialect | English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Levantine (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan) |
Whoever is patient will attain (what they want). |
Illi biyisbir biyinūl |
اللِّي بِيِصْبِر بِيْنُول |
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Levantine and Egyptian |
Every delay holds something good. |
Kell ta’khīra fīha khēra |
كُل تَأخِيرَة فيهَا خِيرَة |
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Common across multiple dialects, especially Levantine and Gulf. |
Ba‘d al-ṣabr jabr |
After patience comes healing/compensation. |
بَعدَ الصَّبر جَبر |
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Levantine dialect |
A hardship that will pass. |
Shidda we tzūl |
شِدَّة وتزُول |
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Common in the Levantine dialect |
Everything is beautiful in its proper time. |
Kil shi b wa’to ḥelou |
كِل شِي بِوقتُه حُلو |
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Used across various dialects (Levantine, Egyptian, Gulf) |
Patience is good. |
Aṣ-ṣabr ṭayyib |
الصَّبر طَيّب |
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Review Proverbs About Patience
Religious and Ethical Sayings About Patience
Patience is a virtue and a quality of a believer. It is also a trait that is highly praised in a person, and is considered a sign of a good Muslim, as it shows real trust in God’s will and His plan.
Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions have emphasized how patience reshapes a person’s personality, strengthens faith, and ultimately influences their fate.
Patience in Noble Hadith
The Prophet (PBUH) emphasizes that the true test of faith lies in a person’s immediate reaction to hardship and difficulties, not later, as this shows the person’s real faith and trust in God’s plan for them.
| English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
True patience is at first shock. |
Aṣ-ṣabru ʿinda aṣ-ṣadmat al-ūlā |
الصَّبرُ عِندَ الصَّدمَةِ الأُولَى. |
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The meaning behind this hadith is that real patience (Sabr) is shown in the first moments of hardship, since patience that comes later is easier, while immediate patience reveals genuine faith and self-control.
It encourages Muslims to develop emotional strength and self-control, which enables them to manage their reactions better when difficulties arise.
Patience in A Saying of Ali ibn Abi-Taleb (RD)
| English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Patience is of two kinds: patience in what you dislike and patience in what you love. |
Aṣ-ṣabru ṣabrān: ṣabrun ʿalā mā takrah wa ṣabrun ʿalā mā tuḥibb. |
الصَّبرُ صَبرَان: صَبرٌ عَلَى مَا تَكرَه وصَبرٌ عَلَى مَا تُحبّ. |
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This saying means that patience isn’t always about enduring hardship, but also about controlling one’s desires in times of ease.
It teaches that a person should stay patient during hardship and also when resisting temptations or excessive attachment to things they love.
Patience in Islam and Quran: The Meaning of Sabr
The English word “patience” is translated as “Sabr” in Arabic, but the Arabic word carries a much deeper meaning.
Sabr does not only mean waiting quietly for time to pass. It involves choosing strength, calmness, and trust in God’s plan even during the hardest of times. It also means tolerating suffering without losing your temper or becoming hopeless.
That’s why Sabr is a central part of Islamic belief. It represents full submission to Allah and His will. Muslims believe that their ability to remain patient and do good during hardship and difficult times is a test of faith, and that the more patience they show, the better Muslims they become.
So, Sabr is not passive; it is active and meaningful. The word Sabr is also often modified by the adjective “beautiful” and becomes الصبر الجميل or Beautiful patience, which means you do not complain about your misfortune but wait patiently with complete trust in Allah’s plan.
Quranic Verses About Patience
Allah is with the patient
| English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient. |
Inna Allāha ma‘a aṣ-ṣābirīn |
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ |
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— (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153)
This verse highlights the greatest rewards of Sabr in Islam: closeness to Allah SWT. Islam teaches that the more patient a believer is, the more support they will get from God. A patient believer is never alone, as Allah is always there with them, granting them guidance and strength.
Unlimited reward for the patient
| English | Pronunciation | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure. |
Innamā yuwaffā aṣ-ṣābirūna ajrahum bighayri ḥisāb |
إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ |
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— (Surah Az-Zumar 39:10)
This verse shows that the reward of patience in Islam is beyond calculation; it is rewarded in both this life and the afterlife.
Final word
Arabic proverbs about patience offer a glimpse into a value that has long shaped Arab culture.
Any Arabic learner aiming to have authentic conversations with other Arab speakers will benefit greatly from learning and understanding these proverbs.
If your goal is to strengthen your Arabic skills, don’t forget to download the AlifBee app. You will find plenty of blogs and exercises to help you throughout your learning journey.
