Should I pray for well being or patience?

[Travis James Lee]

I need some clarification on a particular matter:

I've heard many sunni scholars say that it's best to pray for Afiyah (well being) instead of sabr (patience) if one is not going through a trial or calamity and that if one is already going through a trial or calamity then only then is it permissible to pray for patience. But what's our take on this as Shia?

Jazakallahu khair

[Abu Hassanain]

43 minutes ago, Travis James Lee said:

I need some clarification on a particular matter:

I've heard many sunni scholars say that it's best to pray for Afiyah (well being) instead of sabr (patience) if one is not going through a trial or calamity and that if one is already going through a trial or calamity then only then is it permissible to pray for patience. But what's our take on this as Shia?

Jazakallahu khair

 

Salam

one of my teachers who was raised Sunni than became Shia discourage praying for patience because he said will be tested heavily so that he obtained it. I don’t know what he basically said on, but that was his view.

Can you don’t know what’s allowed to pray for anything that’s awful or anything that you need

The best thing to pray for as those world thing in other world that matters you needed at the time

Praying for health maintains of intellect enough money to take care of the needs strength to worship forgiveness of sins in  the hereafter all recommended etc 

If you have health, you can study if you have health, you can earn a living. If you have health, you can enjoy your family. If you have health, you can enjoy the bounties of the Allah if you have health, you can worship if you have health, you can pop the faith if you have health, you can concentrate in study and worship longer and in the best way and earn more to give more charity, etc.

So health is one of the best things to pray for because so many things depend on it from a practical standpoint

Another interesting point is the narration is constantly emphasize the scholars and Mystic counseling emphasize. Praying for the coming of Imam Mahdi as so this is also one of the best things to pray for, to the point it’s recommended to pray for his coming in every ruku sajda and Qunut of Salah 

The verses in the holy Quran, the talk about patients in prayer those patiently preserved in prayer etc that doesn’t necessarily mean blind patients in calamity that means those were patient and waiting for the coming of Imam Mahdi as and keeping a hold of the religion without losing or corrupting it or having doubt

Patience with calamities as recommended as a virtue, but we’re also told to pray many scholars would say oh Lord, I cannot bear such in such so remove it from me. Oh Lord, I thought I chose the test of such and such but this is the night of destiny and you know I would’ve asked to change it so please change it, etc..

Also, with bearing calamities, we do not bear calamities and just bear them silently rather we make an effort

If you don’t have enough money, you try not to complain or be miserable or agitated about it but you make the effort to go try to get some charity to go get a job, etc.

Just say oh I’m sick and I have this problem with me you go and you try to make an effort to fix it. You see me a little attention you take medicine you change your lifestyle you get healthy, etc..

Let me know if you want further details on a particular point
 

This is a very good question

wallahu Alam 

[Borntowitnesstruth]

On 3/4/2026 at 1:30 PM, Travis James Lee said:

I need some clarification on a particular matter:

I've heard many sunni scholars say that it's best to pray for Afiyah (well being) instead of sabr (patience) if one is not going through a trial or calamity and that if one is already going through a trial or calamity then only then is it permissible to pray for patience. But what's our take on this as Shia?

Jazakallahu khair

Well, I think when you seek Aafiyah you are also asking for patience because we are humans and Allah (عزّ وجلّ) has already said in Quran that He (عزّ وجلّ) will try us with both fear and hunger. So, we will gain things and we will loose things so one should always pray that "O! Allah (عزّ وجلّ) grant me from yourself Aafiya (Well being and protection) from all hardships and always keep me your humble servant" is better way to ask with the intention to ask for protection from any hardships but if hardships are to befall then Allah (عزّ وجلّ) will grant patience to that person because patience is also a kind of Aafiyah from falling into despair which leads to unbelief.  Jazak-Allah Khair.