In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah, Most High, says: He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquility) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. (48:4)

We are at a time of great stress and tension. Muslims and non-Muslims both have fears and anxieties. The world situation has not been good for several decades, but since the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, there is more distress all over the world. The situation looks very grim and terrible for the whole humanity. Social, economic, political and environmental conditions of the whole world are deteriorating. Injustice, crimes, violence, evil and sins abound everywhere in the world.

Many Muslims now feel pessimistic and disheartened. We have painful conditions in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, and other places, where we see our Muslim brothers and sisters going through a lot of suffering. Wars are waged against Muslims in different parts of the world. Thousands of innocent men, women, and children are dying. The anti-Islam propaganda and Islamophobia are on the rise here and in many other places.

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 problems. If there is no inner peace people lose the courage and strength to face difficulties. People become sick and develop many other physical, emotional, or psychological problems.

 Islam and Inner Peace
Islam is the religion of peace. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say and write in his letters to the chiefs of tribes in his time: “Aslim Taslam (Accept Islam and find peace.)

Islam places great emphasis on inner peace. In the Qur’an, it is called Sakinah (inner calm and tranquility), Tuma’ninah (the comfort of the heart, satisfaction, and contentment) Sharh As-Sadr (understanding, openness of the chest, restfulness). Believers receive these gifts from Allah Almighty. In the most difficult situations, Allah mentions that He bestowed inner peace on the believers.

Sakinah
In the process of Hijra, Allah, Most High, says: If you help him (Muhammad, peace be upon him) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they (Muhammad, peace be upon him and Abu Bakr, Allah be pleased with him) were in the cave, and he (peace be upon him) said to his companion: “Be not sad (or afraid) surely, Allah is with us“. Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquility, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (9:40)

Tuma’ninah
Regarding the Battle of Badr, Allah says: (Remember) when you sought the help of your Lord, and He answered you (saying): “I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession. Allah made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (8:9-10)

Sharh As-Sadr
Du’a of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him): (Musa, Moses) said: ‘O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence). And ease my task for me. And lose the knot (the defect) from my tongue ( i.e. remove the incorrectness from my speech). That they understand my speech. And appoint for me a helper from my family. Harun (Aaron), my brother. (20:25-30)

 How to Achieve Inner Peace?
It is important to remember that inner peace comes from Allah. It does not come from material things. It does not come from drugs or painkillers. It does not come from a sinful lifestyle. Unless our relations with Allah are good, we can never have real inner peace. In order to have inner peace, we must :

Have strong faith and trust in Allah. Make Dhikr of Allah as much as we can. Dhikr brings comfort. We must follow the right path of Islam. Neither misfortune nor prosperity should turn you away from Islam.

Be with good people and be good to others. We must always say good words and do good deeds. Deeds of charity bring real inner peace.

What we do not like others to do to us, we should not do to others.

Be most forgiving. Forgiveness is the best healer and it first heals the person who forgives.