In the midst of a life filled with pressures and challenges, a person seeks a means to grant them serenity and reassurance. Many believe that happiness lies in wealth, fame, or success, but they quickly realize that these things do not bring true comfort to the heart. There is no stronger source than the remembrance of Allah. Allah Almighty says in Surah Ar-Ra'd: **"Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."** (Ar-Ra'd: 28).
The remembrance of Allah is not just words that are spoken, but rather a heartfelt and spiritual state that connects a person to their Creator, granting them a sense of security and comfort amidst the turmoil of life.
The Concept of Tranquility in Islam
Tranquility is the feeling of internal comfort and psychological stability, away from anxiety and stress. It is a state reached by the heart when it connects with Allah and puts its trust in Him. The believer who always remembers Allah experiences the sweetness of faith and realizes that everything in life is in Allah's hands, freeing themselves from fears and worries.
This tranquility does not mean the absence of problems, but rather the presence of peace even in the most difficult circumstances, as the believer knows that Allah is with them and will not let them down.
The tranquil heart is the heart that finds its comfort and peace in faith in Allah and His remembrance. This heart does not fear the future or worry about sustenance, because it knows that Allah is the Provider and the one who manages affairs. The tranquil heart is the heart that relies on Allah in everything and feels content with what Allah has apportioned for it.
How does the remembrance of God lead us to tranquility?
1. The remembrance of God connects the heart to God and dispels fear.
When a person remembers God, they recall that God is capable of all things, and that He is the protector and guardian, which reassures them that God will not forsake them. This removes feelings of fear and anxiety from their heart.
The remembrance of God reminds a person that God is capable of everything and that nothing is beyond His ability. Allah says: **"Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest."** (Ar-Ra'd: 28). When a person remembers God, they feel that God is with them, and hence their anxiety and fear dissipate. Furthermore, the remembrance of God grants the heart a light that illuminates its path in darkness, allowing it to see things from a positive perspective and feel safety and tranquility. In addition, the remembrance of God strengthens the bond between the servant and their Lord, making them feel close to Him, which in turn removes their fear of anything they may face. The remembrance of God provides the heart with positive energy, making it more capable of confronting challenges and difficulties, and overcoming fear and anxiety. The remembrance of God bequeaths the heart with confidence and tranquility, making it realize that everything that happens is by God's decree and destiny, and that God is the best protector and helper. The remembrance of God grants the heart an inner strength that makes it resilient in the face of hardships and challenges, and keeps it always optimistic. Additionally, the remembrance of God expels the whispers of the devil that sow fear and anxiety in the heart, replacing them with reassurance and comfort. It provides the heart with a sense of contentment and submission, enabling it to accept everything that happens to it with an open heart, trusting that God will make ease after hardship.
2. The remembrance of Allah enhances faith
The remembrance of Allah strengthens a person's faith and connection with their Lord. When a person remembers Allah, they recall His greatness and power, which increases their faith and certainty. Remembrance makes a person feel the closeness of Allah, thereby increasing their faith and trust in Him. Additionally, the remembrance of Allah nourishes the heart with spirituality, making it more sensitive to the signs and verses of Allah in the universe. The more a person remembers Allah, the more their faith and certainty grow that Allah is the creator and manager of all things. Furthermore, the remembrance of Allah reminds a person of Allah's blessings upon them, which fosters feelings of gratitude and appreciation, thus increasing their faith and love for Allah. It also protects a person from the whispers of Satan that attempt to shake their faith and make them doubt Allah's power and justice. Thus, the remembrance of Allah is a believer's weapon against Satan and the shield that protects them from all evil.
3. Remembrance grants peace to the heart amid crises
In difficult times, a person feels distress and anxiety, but the remembrance of Allah brings tranquility to the soul. When a servant says, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs," they feel an inner strength that lifts their burdens. The remembrance of Allah has a calming effect on the soul. When a person remembers Allah, they experience inner peace and psychological comfort, and they manage to rid themselves of tension and stress, as it reminds them that Allah is in control of all matters, thus calming their heart.
4. Remembrance nourishes the soul and makes a person more content.
When remembrance is present in a person's life, they become more satisfied with what God has decreed for them, not mourning over what they have missed nor worrying about the future, but rather being assured that God manages their affairs with wisdom.
When a person remembers God, they recall God's blessings upon them, and thus feel contentment and gratitude. Remembrance helps a person accept what God has written for them, whether it is good or bad, because they know that God is the Wise.
Moreover, remembrance nourishes the soul and makes it more luminous, which reflects on a person's psyche, making them calmer and more tranquil. Remembrance makes a person more content with what they have, so they do not look at what others have with envy or jealousy, but rather focus on God's blessings upon them and express gratitude for them. Additionally, remembrance grants a person a sense of security and reassurance, for they know that God is with them at all times and in all places. Remembrance makes a person more optimistic and positive, as they understand that God is the planner of everything, and that all that happens is for a wisdom that God knows. Furthermore, it gives a person a sense of self-satisfaction, knowing that they are doing what pleases God. Finally, remembrance brings a person closer to God, making them feel true happiness and contentment.
5. Remembrance Removes the Whispers of the Devil and Prevents Depression
One of the greatest causes of anxiety and depression is the abundance of whispers from the devil that fill a person's heart with fear and hesitation. However, remembrance drives away these whispers, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember him is like the living and the dead." (Narrated by Bukhari). Indeed, remembrance fills the heart with light and tranquility, making it a strong fortress against the whispers of the devil that sow fear and anxiety. It binds the heart to God, making it feel close to Him, and thus alleviating its sense of loneliness and depression. Remembrance grants the heart inner strength that makes it more capable of facing challenges and difficulties, and overcoming feelings of sadness and despair. In addition, it provides the heart with a sense of contentment and acceptance, enabling it to embrace whatever happens to it with an open heart, trusting that God will make ease follow hardship. Finally, remembrance fills the heart with love and hope, making it happier and more positive, and less prone to depression.
6. Remembrance grants the heart strength and stability during trials.
A believer who remembers Allah feels strength and steadiness in the face of hardships, as they know that everything that happens is by Allah's decree and destiny, and that Allah only tests them for wisdom. Remembrance also provides the heart with a spiritual energy that makes it more capable of enduring and being patient with misfortunes, and it instills in the individual a greater certainty that Allah is the helper and supporter, and that every trial is a test from Allah to strengthen their faith. Additionally, it gives a person a sense of security and tranquility, as they know that Allah is with them at all times and in all places. Remembrance makes a person more accepting of Allah's decree and destiny, so they do not become anxious or complain, but rather accept what Allah has apportioned for them. Furthermore, it provides a sense of contentment with oneself, as they know they are doing what pleases Allah. It brings a person closer to Allah, making them feel true happiness and satisfaction.
Types of Remembering Allah That Grant Tranquility
To reach a serene heart, one must commit to the remembrance of Allah at all times. Here are some steps that help achieve a tranquil heart:
1. Heartfelt remembrance and contemplation of Allah's greatness
This involves bringing to heart the greatness of Allah and reflecting on His names and attributes, which makes a person more humble and reverent.
Reflecting on Allah's creations is one form of remembering Allah. When a person contemplates Allah's creations, they recall His greatness and power, which increases their faith and certainty. Reflecting on Allah's creations allows one to feel inner peace and psychological comfort.
2. Remembrance with the tongue (Glorification and seeking forgiveness)
Such as saying: "SubhanAllah" (Glory be to God), "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to God), "La ilaha illallah" (There is no deity but God), "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest), "Astaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from God). These remembrances purify the heart and make it more pure and tranquil.
A person should commit to remembering God daily. One can start their day with the remembrance of God and conclude their day with the remembrance of God, by mentioning Him in the morning and evening, and at all times. Additionally, the remembrance with the tongue grants the heart light that illuminates its path in darkness, allowing one to see things from a positive perspective, and to feel security and tranquility. The remembrance with the tongue makes the person more focused and present, allowing them to feel the greatness and power of God in every glorification and seeking forgiveness. It also gives a person a feeling of direct communication with God, which increases their faith and certainty in His ability to respond to their prayers. This practice also makes them more humble and submissive to God, as they are aware that they are remembering their great Creator. Furthermore, the remembrance with the tongue gives a person a sense of comfort and tranquility, as it purifies the heart from worries and sorrows, bringing them closer to God.
3. Reading the Holy Quran
Reading the Quran is one of the best forms of remembering God. The Quran is the word of God, and when a person reads the Quran, they feel the closeness and presence of God. Reading the Quran calms the soul and reassures the heart.
It is the greatest remembrance that comforts the hearts, as it is the word of God that enlightens life and guides to the path of happiness. God Almighty said:
"And We reveal from the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers." (Al-Isra: 82).
4. Supplication and Humility to God
Supplication is one of the most important forms of remembering God. When a person calls upon their Lord, they feel the closeness and presence of God. Supplication makes a person feel that God is with them, and they realize that their problems are not greater than God's ability to solve them, finding tranquility and comfort. Additionally, supplication gives a person a feeling of direct communication with God, which increases their faith and certainty in His ability to respond. It makes a person more humble and submissive to God, as they know that there is no power or strength except with God. It also grants a person a sense of hope and optimism, as they understand that God is the one capable of changing everything. It makes a person more patient and resilient in the face of calamities, as they realize that God is the one who tests them and that He will reward them for their patience. Furthermore, it provides a sense of ease and serenity, as they know that God hears their supplication and responds to their requests.
5. Prayer and Concentration in It
Prayer is one of the most important forms of remembering God. When a person prays, they feel God's closeness and presence. It brings a sense of tranquility and peace, reminding them that God is with them.
It is not just a series of movements, but a spiritual encounter with God. The more concentration one has in prayer, the more the heart feels peace and comfort. Additionally, prayer provides the heart with a light that illuminates its path in darkness, allowing it to see things from a positive perspective and feel security and serenity.
Having concentration in prayer makes a person more focused and present, enabling them to sense God's greatness and power in every unit and prostration. It also gives an individual a feeling of direct communication with God, which increases their faith and certainty in His ability to respond to their supplications. Concentration in prayer fosters a greater humility and submission to God, as one realizes they stand before their Great Creator. Furthermore, prayer provides a sense of comfort and peace because it purifies the heart from worries and sorrows.
How do we apply remembrance in our daily lives?
1. Consistency in morning and evening supplications, as they fortify the heart and grant it peace throughout the day.
2. Seeking forgiveness when feeling distressed, as it opens the doors of relief.
3. Glorifying God while working or walking, which helps fill the heart with faith.
4. Reading a daily portion of the Quran, as it is a source of strength and tranquility.
5. Praying at all times, not just when in need, so that the heart remains constantly connected to God.
The tranquil heart is one that is filled with the remembrance of God; it does not fear the future, nor does it grieve over the past, but lives in constant comfort knowing that God is with it at every moment.
Indeed, the remembrance of God is not just words; it is a way of life that makes a person happier and more secure.
So if you seek a tranquil heart, do not only seek peace in this world, but make the remembrance of God a part of your day, and you will find indescribable comfort, for God has promised: "Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility."
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