What is the difference between patience (ṣabr) and silence (sukūt), and does demanding one's rights contradict patience? And how can one be patient concerning the unavailability of marriage without falling into what Allah has warned against?

Lexically, "sabr" (patience) means restraint. Ibn al-Qayyim defined it as: restraining the soul from anxiety, the tongue from complaining, and the limbs from acting inappropriately.

Silence and refraining from annoyance and complaining to anyone other than Allah Almighty are manifestations of patience. Scholars have interpreted "beautiful patience" as that which involves no anxiety and no complaint to anyone other than Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty narrates concerning His Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him): (I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah.) [Yusuf: 86].

Demanding one's rights and taking actions do not contradict patience, as long as they are not accompanied by annoyance with Allah's decree and destiny. It is the right of a Muslim to demand their rights and improve their situation through legitimate means.

Whoever takes legitimate actions but does not achieve what they desire, must be patient and entrust the matter to Allah Almighty, saying: "Allah has decreed, and what He wills, He does."

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, and in each there is good. Strive for what benefits you and seek Allah's help, and do not be helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say, 'If only I had done such and such,' but say, 'Allah has decreed, and what He wills, He does,' for 'if only' opens the door to the work of Satan."

Whoever wishes to be among the patient must take actions to obtain what benefits them, and be content with what Allah has decreed for them, so they do not despair, nor become annoyed, nor complain to anyone other than Allah Almighty.