Islam means “Submission to Allah Almighty” with respect. When someone realizes the meaning of Islam means when he/she submitted himself/herself to Allah Almighty then inner peace and happiness can achieve in life. Inner peace is not just for those who dedicate their lives to prayer or spirituality. Inner peace is attainable regardless of our lifestyle or occupation. Inner peace is more important and vital than the search for happiness or success. Once we truly believe and acknowledge this, the foundation for inner peace has been built. Allah says:
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ
“O People (of) the Book! Surely has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. Surely has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:15-16)
Islam brings about a complete calmness and peace of mind that is the result of realizing that one believes and acting in accordance with the guidance of one’s Creator. Inner peace can be found as we learn to mindfully view ourselves and the world around us. Inner peace is a state of emotional and mental peace without disturbing thoughts and recognizing our control over our moods and reactions. It is essential for inner peace that we believe it’s possible and that we believe we are in control of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Allah says:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِيمَانًا مَّعَ إِيمَانِهِمْ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
“He (is) the One Who sent down [the] tranquillity in(to) (the) hearts (of) the believers that they may increase (in) faith with their faith. And for Allah (are the) hosts (of) the heavens and the earth, and Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Wise.” (Surah Al-Fath 48:4)
Islam is vital for understanding the relationship between inner peace and happiness. True peace, both internally and externally, can only be achieved by the correct implementation of Islam. Happiness is nothing more than a fleeting emotion, and success can be taken from us just as easily as it can be gained. But true inner peace is permanent. Allah says:
فَلَا تَهِنُوا وَتَدْعُوا إِلَى السَّلْمِ وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ وَاللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَن يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ
“So (do) not weaken and call for peace while you (are) superior, and Allah (is) with you and never will deprive you (of) your deeds.” (Surah Muhammad 47:35)
Happiness is basically a mental state of well being characterized by pleasant emotions which are ranging from satisfaction to extreme comfort. As human beings, we desire the inner peace of heart and happiness in our lives. Do not admire the lives of celebrities and rich people their lives are not ideal in the eyes of Allah Almighty. Being a Muslim admire the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions who are role models for us.
Here are a few of the reasons that inner peace is important:
- Inner peace is dedicated our lives to prayer or spirituality
- Inner peace is mental peace without disturbing thoughts
- Inner peace is to embrace feelings rather than ignoring
- Inner peace is recognizing our control over our moods
- Inner peace is taking responsibility for your reactions
- Inner peace is to finish unresolved issues in your life
- Inner peace is stepped over, even the small stuff
- Inner peace is to be thankful to Allah Almighty
- Inner peace is to avoid worldly comparisons
- Inner peace is to seek the pleasure of Allah
- Inner peace is using relaxation techniques
- Inner peace tells the entire truth
- Inner peace is decluttered your world
- Inner peace find that you are able to cope
- Inner peace is more about being than doing
- Inner peace disconnect and escape for a while
- Inner peace improves our ability to focus our mind
- Inner peace improves our relationships with others
- Inner peace is a state of emotional and mental peace
- Inner peace helps us to show patience and tolerance
- Inner peace provides us with the ability to sleep better
- Inner peace is control over our activities and reactions
- Inner peace helps us to cope with our stresses and anxieties
- Inner peace allows our minds to not only focus but to slow down
- Inner peace is Inner peace teaches us the proper coping methods
It is essential for inner peace that we believe it’s possible and that we believe we are in control of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Once we truly believe and acknowledge this, the foundation for inner peace has been built. Inner peace teaches us that through patience we can better understand the situation and therefore better understand solutions to the problems. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
“Those who believed and (did) not mix their belief with wrong, those, for them, (is) the security and they (are) rightly guided.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:82)
Most people do not believe that inner peace is possible. But just because we don’t have it does not mean that it’s not attainable. Inner peace teaches us the proper coping methods so that we can turn our anxiety and worry into action steps while maintaining the focus of our minds on what is truly important in our lives. Inner peace allows us to be patient and tolerant of the views of others without the need for anger reactions or responses. Allah says:
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in a way that is better.” (Surat al-Nahl 16:125)
As we practice mindful living and a sense of inner peace those moments of happiness feel greater and seem to last longer. Once you can believe that inner peace is attainable for you then you too can work toward gaining inner peace. Take a few minutes each day to clear your space of everything you don’t need, use, or love.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran in a way:
- “For them (will be) home (of) [the] peace with their Lord. And He (will be) their protecting Fri because (of what) they used to do.” (Al-An`am 6:127)
- “And if they incline to peace, then you (also) incline to it and put (your) trust in Allah. Indeed, He (is) All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (Al-Anfal 8:61)
- “O, you who believe! Answer God (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life…” (Quran, 8:24)
- “Not they will hear therein vain talk but peace. And for them (is) their provision therein, morning and evening.” (Maryam 19:62)
- “And peace be upon him (the) day he was born and (the) day he dies and (the) day he will be raised alive.” (Maryam 19:15)
Islam brings about a complete calmness and peace of mind that is the result of realizing that one believes and acting in accordance with the guidance of one’s Creator. When one attains inner peace you find that you are able to cope, in a healthy way, with any event or situation happening around you. Allah says:
ا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَامًا وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
“Not they will hear therein vain talk but peace. And for them (is) their provision therein, morning and evening.” (Surah Maryam 19:62)
Inner peace does not take away or eliminate our anxieties or fears, rather inner peace allows us to cope with those anxieties and fears, through which we learn and move beyond those anxieties. Neither anxieties nor fears are possible to be eliminated, but anxieties and fears can be utilized as a means for further growth. Allah says:
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden – its width (is like that of) the heavens and the earth prepared for the pious.” (Surah Al Imran 3:133)
Life seems much more than these petty issues. Whatever is on earth will perish. Everything that is done without seeking the pleasure of God will just go, but that which is done seeking His pleasure and His Grace will endure and live on. The focus in life becomes Allah, Master of the Universe. One who understands the greatness of Allah will find peace knowing that everything else is petty and small. Allah says:
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
“And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily! My Punishment is indeed severe.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)
True and complete peace can only be attained when the individuals themselves achieve internal peace. This results from Islam or the true submission to Allah Almighty alone. We should be thankful to Allah Almighty for everything. The more we are thankful to Allah the more Allah (SWT) will be happy and He will shower His bounties on us. Thanking Allah Almighty is indeed an act of worship.
