( …إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا ) (Except for those who are patient): In this verse, Allah (swt) makes an exception from those mentioned in the two previous verses which talk about those who rejoice in happiness after adversity and don not remember the Bestower (swt).

(… صَبَرُوا… ) (…are patient …):  This word corresponds to the two statements that come before. There is taking away of mercy and there is favour after hardship. However, both cases require patience. The exception here give rest to those who are patient with what happens to them concerning the worldly affairs, or in themselves by Allah’s (swt) will. Thus, patience means to curb oneself so as to accept the adversity that falls upon him. The adversity comes from various sources; sometimes it comes from within, such as the sickness. Another times it comes from someone else, such as when someone steals from you or wrongs you. In such case, you become busy with the desire for revenge from this person. The patience that is required in this case is more difficult from the patience when there is no external foe. Allah (swt) presents to us the patience through the story of Lukmam:

  وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

(and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.) (Luqman:17)

In another place, Allah (swt) says:

  وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

(And whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.) (Ash-shura: 43)

In the second above verse, the Arabic letter (Lam) connected with the word (determination) is meant to confirm that the matter requires strong determination; because there is an opposer who angers you.

( …وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ… ) (and do righteous deeds): There is no faith without patience and without good deeds; as the sign of faith is the good deeds. Faith is, as Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: “Whatever is established in the heart and confirmed by deeds.” Thus, the evidence of faith is to perform its requirements. In the events of life, a person must do good deeds that lead to good for all people. That is why whenever the faith is mentioned in the Holy Quran, it is associated with good deeds, as God Almighty says:

 إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا 

(Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.) (Al-Kahf : 30)

 إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا

(Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging,) (Al-Kahf : 107)

( أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ… ) (…those will have forgiveness and great reward):  They will have forgiveness and a great reward, for they have been patient and forgivers. Thus, Allah (swt) will guide them to forgiveness for those who have wronged them, and He (swt) will forgive their sins. And they will have a great reward.