In the contemporary era—shaped by social media, instant gratification, and pervasive consumerism—three fundamental challenges stand out: (1) impatience, (2) misplaced priorities, and (3) a diminished recognition of the divine presence in human life. Impatience represents a critical fault line. Even those with noble intentions often desire an immediate resolution to injustice or the swift emergence of good from the shadows of evil, without laying the necessary groundwork to ensure that goodness can endure. The Qur’an underscores this principle: “God does not change the condition of a community until it changes its own condition.”
Impatience undermines noble causes and frequently accelerates harmful outcomes. As the Qur’an observes, “people wish for evil as they ought to pray for good,” either because they fail to discern the difference between good and evil or because they are willing to justify immoral means in pursuit of a seemingly moral end.
This tendency is closely linked to a lack of purpose or misplaced priorities. Instead of patiently discerning life’s true purpose, individuals may rush into action without adequately reflecting on the consequences or the moral justifications of their conduct.
Impatience also reflects a failure to recognize the role of divine presence in guiding human affairs. Positive outcomes unfold in accordance with divine prerogative and natural law, both of which operate independently of human desires and whims.
At times, the prevalence of evil beyond its ordinary measure serves as a test, calling upon individuals to exercise both judgment and patience. The Qur’an offers clear guidance in this regard: “Repel evil with goodness” and “Do not commit injustice in the face of injustice.”
The concept and practice of patience is deeply rooted in the Qur’an and in the life and teachings of the Prophet. Believers who perform righteous deeds are described in one passage as “collaborating in truth with patience,” and in another as “practicing patience with empathy.” These descriptions suggest that the authentic exercise of patience requires both individual and collective commitment to uphold truth—resisting the temptations of haste—while also demonstrating respect and consideration for others.
Without this dual commitment to truth and empathy, patience becomes scarce. The result is a greater tendency to lash out, to adopt questionable means, or to engage in retaliatory behavior. Each of these responses compounds harm and undermines our moral integrity when confronting life’s many challenges.
In the business sphere, impatience manifests in a variety of destructive practices: compromising product quality, artificially inflating value without delivering corresponding benefits, engaging in bribery and criminal conduct to secure excessive profits, privileging the wealth of owners over the well-being of customers and employees, and recklessly exploiting natural resources. Such actions not only violate ethical standards but also accelerate environmental degradation and, ultimately, inflict harm upon society.
