[Q]: Is the poor person who shows patience concerning his state of poverty superior in rank to a wealthy person who shows gratitude for his wealth? Also, what are the distinguishing features of patience and gratitude?

[A]: Regarding the issue of wealth and poverty, those who show patience and those who show gratitude are both considered among the best of the believers, but the best among those who show these characteristics are those greatest in righteousness. As the Most High said:

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ

“Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous among you.”
(Al-Ḥujurāt, 49:13)

Regarding the distinguishing features of patience and gratitude; Islamic scholars define patience as the avoidance of sadness and anxiety. While gratitude is to show obedience to Allāh through the utilisation of His blessings.

Source: Dalāʾil al-Tawḥid: 28-29
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī, Abū ʿUbaydah al-Ḥabashī