In Search for Peace - Part 2

By Rehana Shah-Bulbulia

Part 1

Bismillah

So as the momentous search for it continues, as millions feel a magnetic gravitational pull towards it, and as the seductive whispers of promise beckon us, urging us closer and closer... PEACE is what we seek, what we desire and undoubtedly what each of us need. Welcome to the reality of Islam dear reader, “For the goal to which Islam leads is peace.”(10:25) 

We praise our Kind Allah for showing us and guiding us towards the path of peace, which will inevitably lead us to the eternal abode of peace... Jannah. We praise Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) as He deserves to be praised, and as He has praised Himself. And we convey salutations upon the perfect example of a peaceful mind, heart, body and soul-Nabi Muhammad (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Now in an effort to attain productivity in all four components, let us enlighten ourselves as to how we could achieve, and maintain, this state of peace in the mind, body, heart and soul by killing what destroys our peace in each component, and replacing every negative with a positive. Let us put this newfound knowledge into practice. Bismillah...

Mission Peace 
Location: The heart and soul 

As had been mentioned previously, “the soul is from the order of Allah” (17:85) and thus the great reality is that any action, speech and thought that is in any way against the orders of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will covetously steal from, and destroy, the peace in our hearts and souls. So in order to re-establish peace in the heart and soul, only positive actions associated with obeying Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), being conscious of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), worshipping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), recognizing Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), remembering Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), and remembering and following those whom HE loves, can and will bring peace into the soul and the residence of the soul... the heart.

PLAN OF ACTION: destroy and replace every negative action/sin with a positive action/good deed. Nourish the qalb (heart) and rooh (soul) with positive sustenance,

CIRCUMSTANCE X: Somebody really hurts us with their thoughtless actions and words. Not only are we deeply hurt, but angry too. A preoccupation with thinking, complaining, and gossiping about it is completely consuming us - our time, energy, peace, and ultimately causing restlessness within our soul.

TERMINATE/KILL: Anger, hurt, disappointment, and betrayal.

PEACE MAINTENANCE STRATEGY: 

1. Core Essentials - Actions of Obedience to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Nabi Muhammad (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam )

2. Acceptance - the highest form of sabr/patience is to completely accept that whatever happens to us is because of tadhbeer (our efforts) and is a part of our taqdeer (what has been written in Allah’s plan for us). Thus we adopt tafweez (resignation to the will of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) (Maulana Yunus Patel’s Book: Tafweez). The first stage in dealing with any griefs, challenges, or tests is acceptance.

3. Forgiveness - to sincerely seek Allah’s forgiveness for ourselves and especially for those who have hurt or harmed us. It is important to remember that only when we have truly forgiven can we find our internal harmony, balance and peace again.

4. Replace with positive - Changing focus of thoughts, words and actions to the greatest sources of positive energy- any 'ibadat of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), whether it is salaah, Quran tilawat, durood recitation, or remembrance of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), induce peace and positive energy because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the fundamental source of peace, as HE is the Giver of Peace...

Mission Peace 

Location: The Mind 

According to the Oxford dictionary, in the mind lies “our ability to be aware of things and to think and to reason; the mind originates in the brain.” The brain, observed by scientists as being the greatest computer EVER created, has many other dimensions and functions as well. However, we would like to focus on the frontal lobe (centre of our foreheads), which is the place where our emotions and desires exist. So what is the relationship between the mind and emotions, I hear you ask. It is quite intriguing actually. Did you know that we cannot have an emotion/feeling WITHOUT a thought first! So when we THINK good thoughts (about good things, good moments that have occurred in our lives or of those whom we love or those who inspire us) we FEEL good!

PLAN OF ACTION: destroy and replace every negative thought with a positive one.

CIRCUMSTANCE X: Whenever we think about a certain situation in our lives, it causes us to feel depressed, angry and despondent.

TERMINATE/KILL: Those negative thoughts.

PEACE MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

1. Core essentials: Obedience to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Nabi (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam), through salaah, Qur’an Tilawat, zikrullah.

2. Replace that negative thought with a positive one: Think of a person or situation that makes you feel calm, happy and positive. Focus on that thought and watch how your emotions change accordingly.

3. Time-out: Our Beloved Nabi (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) has advised that three things are the coolness of the eyes, besides salaah, 1) to look at greenery, 2) to listen to the sound of flowing water, 3) to look at a pious person’s face.

Mission Peace
Location: The Body 

While it is a temporary vessel for the journey of this earthly life, let us not forget that it also requires great maintenance, because a “Healthy body means a healthy mind and vice versa.” Imam Shafi (RadiAllahu anhu) is reported to have said that it is incumbent on us to seek two types of ‘ilm/knowledge: the ’ilm of deen and the ’ilm of medicine-how to take care of our bodies.

TERMINATE/KILL: Those bad habits in our modern lifestyle that cause major illnesses - like overeating, eating too much junk food, smoking etc. What also needs to be kept in mind is that our emotions, as well as the inability to deal with stress, can have a negative impact on our bodies.

PEACE MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

Core essentials: Obedience to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Nabi Muhammad (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) through salaah, fasting, as well as following every sunnah. EACH and EVERY sunnah has some benefit for us, which we might not be aware of. For example, the benefit of sitting and drinking water: we are advised to drink so many glasses of water a day in order to ensure good health. If we stand and drink, the water goes straight to our bladder and thus there is not much benefit in drinking that water. However, if we sit and drink, the water washes the kidneys, as it was intended to, Alhamdulillah!

Interesting to note is the following experiment which was discussed in an Accupressure, Reflexology, and EFT Course that I had been blessed to attend (a life altering, paradigm shifting experience which I hope to share with you dear reader in one of the forthcoming articles, Insha Allah.) Three glasses of water were used and their molecular structure observed. On the first glass ‘Bismillah’ had been recited and the water molecules were connected in uniformity and harmony. While on the second glass the word ‘Shaytaan’ had been read and it was observed that many of the molecules were unable to link in uniformity and the water was in disharmony. And finally it was observed that the third glass of water, upon which nothing had been recited, had only some molecules in uniformity and harmony. Allahuakbar! If our body is mostly made up of water, can we understand how the simple sunnah and recitation of ‘Bismillah’ benefits our bodies internally.

At the end, it has been said that, “Allah will not change the condition of a people till they themselves change” (13:11). May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) grant us the ability to evoke positive change into our lives and place our total reliance upon Him-He Who is the Giver of Peace- invoking Him in the words of our Beloved Nabi (sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam), “O Allah we ask You for total peace and we ask You for eternal peace and we ask You for gratitude over the peace that you have provided us with, ameen”.

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below!

Posted in: Allah,Benefits,Inner Peace,Muhammad,peace,Rehana Shah Bulbulia