A state of inner peace eliminates anxieties, fears, and worries. It also removes negative thoughts, stress, lack of satisfaction and unhappiness. It is a state of emotional and mental poise, happiness, confidence, and inner strength. Everyone desires inner peace, even if he or she is not aware of this desire. We need inner peace and the whole of humanity needs it. Inner peace is always important but it is most needed now. It is the peace of Heart and Mind. Inner peace makes people steadfast, strong and capable to face their problems. Allah says:
أُولَٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا
“Those will be awarded the Chamber because they were patient and they will be met therein (with) greetings and peace.“ (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:75)
A true Muslim should seek to bring others close to him, not to drive them away from him. This is the nature of our lives; we are in toil and struggle, ups and downs, times of difficulties and times of ease. We need to understand that peace is not something that will exist in this world around us because when we define peace according to the dictionary definition it states that peace is freedom from war or civil strife. Allah says:
وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“If the enemy inclines to peace, then incline to it also and rely upon Allah. Verily, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:61)
Inner peace is a mental state of well being characterized by pleasant emotions which are ranging from satisfaction to extreme comfort. To deal with our circumstances, the circumstances of the toil and the struggle in which we live, patience is the key. As human beings, we desire the inner peace of heart and happiness in our lives. If there is no inner peace people lose courage and strength to face their difficulties. Islam is the religion of peace. We can have a place that is calm, peaceful and tranquil. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
Islam brings about a complete calmness and peace of mind that is the result of realizing that one believes and acting by the guidance of one’s Creator. This internal peace can then spread to the family, the community, the society and the world as a whole.
Here are some reasons for inner peace as a state of emotional and mental peace without disturbing thoughts:
- Inner peace is freedom of thought and religion are paramount
- Inner peace serve and maintain relations with others
- Inner peace make effort and leave the rest to Allah
- Inner peace teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Inner peace is to pray no matter how hard it gets
- Inner peace is nothing in this world lasts forever
- Inner peace recite the “dearest phrases to Allah”
- Inner peace brings about a complete calmness
- Inner peace is content with Allah’s Decree
- Inner peace avoid worldly comparisons
- Inner peace is read the Quran regularly
- Inner peace is the Cornerstone
- Inner peace brings the reality of this life
- Inner peace seek the Pleasure of Allah
- Inner peace is thankful to Allah Almighty
- Inner peace is asking for help from Allah
- Inner peace understand the majesty of Allah
- Inner peace understand the reality of this life
- Inner peace gives a person a clear perspective
- Inner peace emphasizes both evidence and faith
- Inner peace is understanding the Majesty of Allah
- Inner peace make effort and leave the rest to Allah
- Inner peace compete with each other in doing good
- Inner peace has the right to life is an absolute value
- Inner peace express gratitude to Allah for His blessings
We are living in a world of toil and struggle, yet within ourselves, it is possible to attain inner peace, peace with the environment, with the world in which we live. Some obstacles prevent us from attaining peace. So first we have to identify the obstacles in our lives which prevent us from achieving maximum inner peace and develop some kind of strategy to remove them. Allah says:
قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا
“He said, “Peace (be) on you. I will ask forgiveness for you (from) my Lord. Indeed, He is to me Ever Gracious.” (Sarah Maryam 19:47)
Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly happiness that may cause one to forget God and the extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any calamities but to be beneficial and generous to society. This leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life. Allah says:
فَمَنْ خَافَ مِن مُّوصٍ جَنَفًا أَوْ إِثْمًا فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“But whoever fears from (the) testator (any) error or sin, then reconciles between them, then (there is) no sin on him. Indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, All-Merciful.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 2:182)
True peace, both internally and externally, can only be achieved by the correct implementation of Islam. Every teaching of Islam is based on the principles of peace and avoidance. Muslims have made every effort to establish peace and serenity everywhere in all divergent fields, only taking military measures when their enemies tried to hinder these efforts for humankind.
These are some Quranic verses that would promote inner peace and tranquillity:
- “Peace, a word from a Merciful Lord.” (Surah Ya-Seen 36:58)
- “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned.” (Quran: 2:256)
- “Muslims learn from the Quran that God’s objective in creating the human race in different communities was that they should relate to each other peacefully.” (Quran 49:13)
- “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah’s hearts are assured.” (Ar-Ra’d, 13: 28)
- “Everything upon the earth will perish. And there will remain the Face of Your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.“ (Ar- Rahman, 55: 26-27)
- “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” (Al-Imran, 3: 133)
- “And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him.” (At-Talaq, 65: 3)
- “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:153)
- “Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we cannot bear.” (Al-Baqarah, 2: 286)
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. If we look at the obstacles in life we can put them under a variety of headings: personal problems, family issues, financial dilemmas, work pressures, and spiritual confusion. And there are many issues under these headings. Allah says:
إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا سَلَامًا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ
“When they entered upon him and said, “Peace.” He said, “Indeed, we (are) of you afraid.” (Surah l-Hijr 15:52)
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. Islam is vital for understanding the relationship between inner peace and happiness. Complete submission to Allah Almighty Leads to inner peace. True peace, both internally and externally, can only be achieved by the correct implementation of Islam. Allah says:
فَإِنِ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْا إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلًا
“So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a cause for fighting against them.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:90)
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. Nothing can make us happier than seeking the pleasure of Allah. Allah says:
تَحِيَّتُهُمْ يَوْمَ يَلْقَوْنَهُ سَلَامٌ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَرِيمًا
“Their greetings (on the) Day they will meet Him (will be), “Peace.” and He has prepared for them a reward noble.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:44)
Muslims have made every effort to establish peace and serenity everywhere in all divergent fields. Be satisfied with what Allah has granted you, you will be the most independent person. Be good to your neighbour, you will be a (true) believer. Love for people what you love for yourself, you will be a (real) Muslim. Find real happiness and inner peace in your life.
