Allah, free from all imperfections, has informed us that leadership in the religion is obtained by patience (sabr) and certainty(yaqeen) for He, the Exalted said:
And We made from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and believed with certainty in Our Signs. [Soorah as-Sajdah (32):24]
Therefore, it is by patience and certainty that leadership in the religion is obtained.
It is said that it is patience in keeping away from the world by being occupied in worship, and it is said, patience in the face of trials, and it is also said, patience in keeping away from the forbidden things, However, what is correct is that leadership is obtained by patience in all of this, patience in fulfilling the obligatory duties of Allaah, patience in avoiding His prohibitions and patience over the decrees (of Allaah).
Allaah put both patience and certainty together since they are both the source of the happiness of the servant. Losing them both makes him lose his happiness. The heart is invaded by the various calamities of desires and lusts (shahawaat) which are in opposition to the command of Allaah, and also by doubts (shubhahaat) which are in opposition to His goodness.
Therefore, by patience, the desires are repelled and with certainty, the doubts are repelled. The desire (shahwah) and the doubt (shubhah) are in opposition to the religion from every single aspect. None will be saved from the punishment of Allaah except the one who repelled his desires with patience and his doubts with his certainty.
Adapted from Ibn Al-Qayyim - The Path to Guidance
via westlondondawah archive #421
