Sabr Meaning
Patience. The meaning, Arabic, when to say it, and its source in the Quran and Sunnah.
صَبْر
- Transliteration
- Ṣabr
- Meaning
- Patience
Sabr means patience: holding yourself firm, without despair or complaint against Allah, when life is hard. It is one of the most praised qualities in the Quran.
Sabr in the Quran
“O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (Quran 2:153). And: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account” (Quran 39:10).
Three kinds of sabr
- Patience in hardship: illness, loss, worry. Say Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
- Patience in obeying Allah: keeping up prayer, fasting and good deeds when it is hard.
- Patience in avoiding sin: holding back from what is wrong.
Real patience
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1302). Sabr does not mean you can’t feel sad or cry; it means you don’t lose hope in Allah. For hard days, see the dua for worry and grief.
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com, where you can read the full text. Reviewed 19 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
What does sabr mean?
Sabr means patience: staying firm and trusting Allah in hardship, in worship, and in avoiding sin.
What does the Quran say about sabr?
“Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (Quran 2:153), and the patient are given their reward without account (Quran 39:10).