Patience

the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, was a paradigm of patience. he was patient with his people before calling them to islam; for they would worship idols and do sinful acts. he was patient and tolerant with the abuse and harm the pagans of makkah inflicted on him and his companions and sought the reward of allah. he also was patient and tolerant with the abuse of the hypocrites in madinah.

he was a paradigm of patience when he lost his loved ones; his wife khadeejah, died during his life. all his children died during his life, except for fatimah, with whom allah is pleased. his uncle al-ab'bas, with whom allah is pleased, passed away as well. the prophet, may allah exalt his mention, was patient and sought the reward of allah.

anas b. malik, with whom allah is pleased, said:

'we entered the house of abu saif - the blacksmith - with the prophet, may allah exalt his mention. abu saif's wife was the wet-nurse of his son, ibraheem. the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, lifted his son ibraheem, and smelled and kissed him. after a while he went and saw his son again - he was dying. the prophet, may allah exalt his mention, started to cry. abdurrahmaan b. auf, with whom allah is pleased, said: 'o prophet of allah, you too cry!' the messenger, may allah exalt his mention, said: 'o ibn auf, this is a mercy' - the prophet, may allah exalt his mention, shed more tears and said: 'the eyes shed tears, the heart is saddened, and we only say what pleases our rubb, and we are saddened by your death, o ibraheem!'  (bukhari #1241)