Sabr (صبر) and Shukr (شکر)
Sabr & Shukr. These two Urdu words encompass a complete philosophy by which men can live and seek balance amid life's uncertainties.
Language is, by far, the most wonderful of all inventions and achievements of human civilisation. Since the beginning of civilisation, different languages have evolved and left their unique mark on the customs of the people using that language. Or, is it the other way round, the culture and customs influenced the development of languages and made them unique?
Due to the intermingling of civilisations, different languages came together and were infused to create new languages. Different languages evolved, though born from a mother language, to become distinct in their own right. Languages in turn gave birth to great literature that is unique to itself. Those of us, lesser mortals, who don't know more than one or two languages, are forced to be satisfied with reading literature translations from a language unknown to us.
But there is always something lost in the translation, however true the translation is. It is sometimes difficult to translate the cultural nuances of one culture depicted in literature unless one is well aware of and sensitive towards it. A word or a phrase in one language may have a spectrum of meanings, which when translated may not evoke similar emotions. The depth of sense of a word or a phrase in one language may get lost in translation.
The words Sabr and Shukr are two such words. Two Urdu words. Sabr, patience when life gives pain, and Shukr, gratitude when life brings pleasure. These words mean more than just patience and gratefulness, as they are meant when translated into English. These two words are significant in our lives. If we can comprehend and absorb the meaning of these two words and imbibe them in our lives, our lives will be more enduring and peaceful.
Life is fragile and hangs by a single thread. Life’s fortune keeps changing with its whims. Life has a way of throwing surprises at us without warning. We don't know how our life might change tomorrow. It may turn out to be much better than what we ever expected. And also, on the contrary, it may turn out to be much worse.
Despite scientific advances and seemingly being in control over our lives, we might not have enough control over how our lives may change. The uncertainties in modern life are more than we can realise, as we are all interconnected in a global economy. This is one of the unpredictable aspects of modern times. One stray incident, somewhere far off, may affect us quickly. A few centuries ago, societies lived in relative isolation, which is never the case now.
A lot of things are, in reality, beyond our control. But we may, with effort, control how we react to the changed situations in life. The two Urdu words Sabr and Shukr are the two cardinal words that can help us navigate the journey called life.
Sabr is patient. Often in life, we face difficulties and hardships. Practising patience (Sabr) becomes the anchor that keeps us afloat. Luckily, for most of us, life might not be as dramatic as the Greek mythological hero, who faces monumental struggles. Yet, life often resembles a ball hanging on a single thread and swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other without our understanding. Our patience can help us stay on course and navigate our lives to a safer coast until the storm blows over.
But the word patience may not depict the actual meaning of the Urdu word Sabr. Sabr is much more than just patience. It is challenging to translate Sabr verbatim due to its multifaceted meaning. Sabr is not just a word. It is an attitude toward life that encompasses patience, perseverance, and acceptance of challenges. It is a state of surviving, remaining alive when all around is falling apart, without losing hope. It is the ability to stay calm and composed in the face of challenges. It is the ability to endure hardship while maintaining a stoic attitude, known as a stiff upper lip by the British. It is maintaining a sangfroid despite seemingly insurmountable odds. In Sabr, along with patience, surrender to the inevitable is implicit. Surrender to that force which we cannot change. Sabr is not passive surrender but active understanding and acceptance of our situation in life.
Practising Sabr helps build relationships. It helps in understanding other’s shortcomings and overlooking their mistakes. It is a great tool to maintain peace and harmony. Sabr is not the acceptance of the cynic. It requires self-reflection and a sense of awareness. It is a continuous journey and comes with a lot of practice.
Shukr, on the other hand, is all about being grateful. The deep meaning of the word goes beyond gratitude and thankfulness, as we understand now. It is acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in our lives, even during challenging times. It is all about counting one’s blessings without focusing too much on the misfortunes. It is finding, sometimes painstakingly, a silver thread in a seemingly bleak situation. It is a sense of appreciation of things that one has received from life. Shukr acknowledges and openly appreciates life’s blessings.
Being grateful is just not an isolated spiritual concept. It has direct benefits in our daily lives. Research studies have demonstrated that increased well-being directly relates to our sense of gratitude. It benefits our physical and mental health. Shukr is a feeling which manifests in our behaviour or our social transactions.
The present universal culture dictates that we cultivate a sense of pride in our achievements. There is no harm in being proud of our accomplishments as long as it does not turn into hubris. But we must be humble enough to accept that our successes are a gift of providence. We may not be fully responsible for good happening in our lives.
The power to receive is greater than the power to give. Receiving requires humbleness. Without being humble, we cannot fully accept life’s gifts. Unless we receive fully, we cannot give without condition. The sense of gratitude makes us humble and prepares us to receive. Only when we accept life’s gifts with gratitude and humbleness can we give in earnest.
The practice of Shukr in our daily lives helps us remain humble and protects us from being conceited.
These two words encompass a complete philosophy by which men can live and seek balance amid life's uncertainties. Sabr and Shukr have nothing to do with any religion or religious beliefs. It is a way of life, a belief and acceptance that life is more than some mundane events. It is an acceptance of universal suffering and acknowledgement that there is something beyond our immediate triumphs and troubles.
We can reduce the angst in modern life if we practice Sabr during difficult times and Shukr when life overflows with abundance. Practice Sabr when life throws brickbats and Shukr when life offers bouquets.