The Meaning of the Hadith: Patience at the First Shock

Question:
This questioner, Ahmad, asks: What is the context of the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to the woman, "Go, for patience is at the first shock"?

Answer:
The context is that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a woman at the grave of her son, weeping over him. He said, "O servant of Allah, be patient." She said, "Leave me alone, for you have not been afflicted with my affliction." She did not know that he was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When he left, they told her, "That was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)." So she came to apologize to him and said, "Now I am patient, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "No, patience is at the first shock." Yes.