As Muslims, Allah has blessed us with guidance on how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, and whose advice could be sounder than that of Allah, the Most Wise?
As Muslims, Allah has blessed us with guidance on how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, and whose advice could be sounder than that of Allah, the Most Wise?
Allah tells us in the Quran, “Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort” [Quran 13:28]. In this dunya of daily stress and worry, such comfort is a familiar ambition. However, too often inner peace feels like a distant land on the horizon which we seek but never reach. Years of toil may pass and yet we still feel so far from our goal of contentment in life. How can we seek true peace in our daily lives? The answer lies within the Quran.
1. Understand how Allah taught us to spend our time
“By time! Surely humanity is in loss” – Quran 103:1-2
This powerful observation is the opening of Surah Al-‘Asr. The fact that time itself has become a witness is deeply significant here. In life, many souls have pursued their happiness through attaining worldly objects, only to later realise that all their efforts are wasted. At death, all money, possessions and status become useless. Humans who pursue this course are ultimately in loss, and time is a witness to this failure occurring repeatedly over many generations.
However, Allah does not leave humanity without guidance for how to avoid this trap of wasted time. He tells us in the next ayah, “except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance” [Quran 103:3]. These are the deeds that will have guaranteed rewards will Allah in the hereafter, and these rewards will not perish like those rewards of the dunya.
As much as we seek to promote our happiness through the gain of worldly objects, ultimately this brings us nothing. Time is a witness to this failure, while a life lived for the sake of Allah will bring happiness even to the poorest soul. This is because such a soul can rest assured that with each good deed performed it has secured a little more reward from Allah, and with Him is the best of rewards.
2. Know that everyone is tested
“[He] is the one who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed” – Quran 67:2
Allah is completely open about the purpose of His creation, and this ayah in Surah Al-Mulk goes straight to the point. Allah explains that tests are part of the very fabric and purpose of His creation, through which He can ensure only the righteous souls reach Jannah. We should never feel unlucky when we are tested, rather we should know that we were born to be tested.
Moreover, a test could not exist without some level of hardship. Tests with greater difficultly come with greater achievement – and reward – for overcoming the test. This is one of the principles behind the famous hadith, where we are told, “If Allah intends good for someone, He afflicts him with trials” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5321]. Trials are a platform from which we can achieve great rewards, and it is a blessing to know that Allah considers us strong enough to pass through them with His help.
Even the Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon Him, was tested with immense hardship. Therefore hardship cannot be a sign that Allah dislikes or disapproves of us. Instead, it is a sign that Allah loves us, and wishes for us to prove our goodness in the world.
3. Remember that Allah is the best of planners
“And Allah is the best of planners” – Quran 8:30
When we look around us we can see the magnificence of Allah’s creation. From the mesmerising galaxies above us to the intricate structure of humans cells that keep us alive, truly Allah is the most skilled and competent. It is with this very same comprehensive majesty that Allah plans each of our lives.
Sometimes we may not understand the purpose of events, but this is only a reflection of our limited perspective as human beings. Only Allah, the Knower of the unseen, truly knows the nature of His plan for us. When we learn to trust in Allah and follow his guidance, our hearts are put at rest knowing that our affairs are in His loving, competent hands.
4. Pain Ends, Jannah doesn’t
“Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgement, and to Him you will be returned” – Quran 28:88
This ayah is packed with consolation for the troubled heart. First, Allah reminds us that His worldly creation is destined to be eradicated, including all the pain and suffering within it. Every oppressor, bully and troublemaker will taste death, but Allah will not.
Secondly, Allah reminds us that only His judgement matters. This means that we should not stress when others disapprove of our behaviour, the approval of Allah is the only judgement of consequence.
Lastly, Allah reminds us of the certainty of the Day of Judgement. This provides comfort to those who have already dedicated their lives to Him, consolation to those who have been wronged, and encouragement to change for anyone who may be forgetting Him.
A note on anxiety
While we all face some level of anxiety in our lives, for some individuals their experience is more severe as they suffer from anxiety-related medical disorders. This post is not intended to substitute medical advice. If you feel you may suffer from an anxiety-related disorder, there are professionals who can help you. For U.K based readers, the website MIND is an excellent start or in America, you can find information at the Mental Health America website.
Final thoughts
Everyone faces trials in life. While these trials will definitely come to an end, our reward for patiently enduring them will not. All things only happen with Allah’s permission, so it’s vital that we accompany our efforts to find peace with dua. As Muslims, Allah has blessed us with guidance on how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, and whose advice could be sounder than that of Allah, the Most Wise?
