So much held inside, yet so much unseen

There are so many things we keep inside. Smiles on the outside, storms on the inside. People see us and think we’re fine, but they don’t know how much weight we’re carrying. And sometimes, even we confuse it ourselves—are we being patient, or are we just suppressing everything?

Suppression feels like locking feelings in a box and hoping they’ll stay quiet. But they don’t. They show up later as stress, anxiety, or sudden breakdowns. Patience, though, is different. In Islam, sabr isn’t about pretending you’re okay. It’s about admitting you’re hurting, allowing yourself to feel it, and still choosing to trust Allah with the outcome.

The Prophet ﷺ showed us this so beautifully. When his son Ibrahim passed away, he cried. His heart was full of grief, yet he said, “The eyes shed tears and the heart feels sorrow, but we do not say except what pleases our Lord.” That’s what patience looks like—tears, sorrow, and faith living side by side.

So maybe the reminder is this: patience doesn’t mean hiding your pain. It means letting it out, letting it soften your heart, and turning it towards Allah. Suppression says, “keep it in.” Sabr says, “feel it, but let Allah hold it with you.” And that makes all the difference.

Let's Connect

Bisma Shaukat 

Clinical Psychologist | Researcher | Writer