One-stop Shop for Peace

Everyone has experienced anxiety and restlessness at some point of their life. Many times, it’s due to work, responsibilities or hardships. There are also times when there is no reason for what one is feeling, and it gnaws at them incessantly.

To rid oneself of the feeling, some may consciously try to ignore the feeling in the hope that it fades away eventually, some may try to indulge in activities that would usually make them happy, or some may try to sleep it off. But these only give us fleeting moments of satisfaction.

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As believers, one thing we must realise is that we have a body and a soul. Our real tranquillity comes when our soul is happy and nourished. So, we must prioritise to nourish our soul, then everything else will fall in place, and that tranquillity will reflect on our body, too, In shaa Allah.

Wudhu

One of the prerequisites of Salah is Wudhu, or ablution.

Our soul is at peace when it’s free of sins, and Wudhu is one of the many blessings that Allah ﷻ has bestowed upon us that purifies us and helps us wash away our sins.

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:

“When a bondsman-a Muslim or a believer-washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes, will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water with the result that he comes out pure from all sins.”
[Muslim, 244]

Scientifically too, Wudhu improves blood circulation and regulates blood pressure, thus providing relaxation.

Salah

Communication is a necessity for humans. We like to talk and share our feelings. It lifts that invisible weight off our shoulders, making us feel lighter. However, problem arises when we are not able to find the perfect listener for what we have to share. We may find that the opposite person is judgemental, incapable of solving our problems, or we may not be at complete ease in front of them.

So, why compromise?

“And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.”
[Qur’an; Surah Al-Qaf: verse 16]

Allah ﷻ created us and He ﷻ knows what is bothering us better than we do. So, we submit ourselves to our Creator ﷻ by praying to Him ﷻ.

It takes us five to ten minutes to pray. Take these ten minutes as a break from the world. Forget everything else; empty the clutter from your mind and heart.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

“When anyone of you is engaged in the Prayer, he is holding an intimate conversation with his Lord.”
[Muslim]

Try to stand in a place free of distractions. Be aware. Realise that you are standing to communicate with your Rabb ﷻ. Know that it’s only you, and your Rabb ﷻ who is listening to you and giving you personal attention. Fix your gaze on the place of prostration. Concentrate on your recitation and the du’aas. Mean every word you utter. Humble yourself consciously. Express yourself. Cry without inhibitions and apprehensions. Feel guilty, seek forgiveness wholeheartedly, count your blessings, and praise Allah ﷻ passionately. This will help reduce your stress, anxiety and restlessness. You will feel a sense of calm and peace spread through you.

Ibn Umar (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

“Verily, when a servant stands to pray, his sins are placed on top of his head and shoulders. Every time he bows or prostrates, they fall away from him.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 1769; Graded Sahih by Al-Albani]

Prolong your Ruk’oo and Sujood. Let go of those sins clouding your head and shoulders. Give yourself a chance to feel lighter. It is also in Sujood that the believer is closest to Allah ﷻ, so reap the blessings and supplicate in every Sujood as much as possible.

When we do this with sincerity, and when we pray regularly, with Taqwa, we develop a sense of comfort by knowing that Allah ﷻ is always with us. This elevates our Eemaan and softens our heart. Our soul is healed and strengthened. And as the soul heals, the anxiety and restlessness will fade away, In Shaa Allah, leaving us with the one thing we desire the most-tranquillity.