How to Achieve Peace and Tranquility

Life is accompanied with numerous problems and with its ups and downs which often results in some sort psychological pressures. This is the cause of the stress and anxiety which at times affects our behaviour. Although a little stress might be useful for accomplishing jobs, high stress and hypertension is detrimental to our mental and physical health.

We ought to exercise control of our emotions in order to properly deal with such situations. This is necessary for achieving peace of mind and tranquility of heart. According to doctors, in case of stress, the body releases hormones that affect the normal functioning of the heart, lungs and other limbs.

If psychological pressure persists and continues for a long period, the negative hormones are released at a greater rate and with regularly frequency, resulting in the breakdown of physical health and psychological soundness. Persistent psychological pressures lead to such diseases as gastric ulcer, intestinal disorder, high blood pressure and migraine.

In addition to affecting our body, stress also affects our behaviour and thought as well. The signs of stress are anxiety, anger and frustration – all of which lead to malfunctioning of the heart and possibility of cardiac arrest.

In view of these factors we ought to be on guard and take extra care to preserve our health. According to psychiatrists there are solutions for dealing with psychological pressure, but the best solution in this regard has been presented by Islam and its divine teachings. In fact, it is the ayahs of the holy Qur’an that provide the most excellent guidelines.

The words of God Almighty and the sayings of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) and the Infallible Imams, provide us certain strategies for life that help us control stress and anxiety, and build peace of mind and tranquility of heart. It is evident that faith in God is the fundamental factor for making these strategies effective. Many people have experienced that it is religious beliefs that help us overcome problems we face in life.

According to research firm faith in God and religious beliefs have the greatest impact in protecting us against satanic temptations. In Surah Baqarah, ayah 62 reads:

“Those of them who have faith in Allah and the Last Day and act righteously— they shall have their reward near their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.”

In other words, as could be clear from this passage, those who do not believe in God and have no morals, suffer from lack of peace of mind and tranquility of heart, despite having power and riches. In contrary to the believers, such persons are normally anxious and depressed. It is faith in God and hope in His Infinite Mercy that give the faithful self-confidence and sense of optimism in contrast to disbelievers who are always pessimistic and engrossed in some sort of internal fears. Thus, it is faith in God and resignation to His Will that cures us of anxiety and fears. In Islamic teachings, belief in whatever God has decreed for us, is sing of firm faith. In Surah Towbah, ayah 51, we read:

“Say, ‘Nothing will befall us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our master, and in Allah let all the faithful put their trust.”

God Almighty is the Source of all goodness. It is constant remembrance of God, offering of prayers, recitation of supplications, and reading of the holy Qur’an that develop peace of mind and tranquility of heart. Islam teaches us to never get frustrated or lose hope of Divine Mercy. God is All-Merciful. His Doors are always open for the penitents. He is ready to forgive, provided we repent and reform ourselves.

The holy Qur’an teaches us these finer points, and the best way of communicating with the Lord Most High is through the supplications taught by the Prophet and the Infallible Imams of his Household. One of the best books of supplication is the Sahifat-as-Sajjadiya bequeathed to us by Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS), the 4th Infallible Heir of the Prophet. This is the key to cure the mind of psychological diseases, and to remove stress and anxiety.

Among the recommendations of Islam is to maintain relations with kinsmen and family members. Tie of kinship bring peace of mind and tranquility of heart. Faithful relatives and true friends always support those facing problems. It is through consultations and friendly advice that fears and anxieties are removed.

Another important point is to pay proper attention to the affairs of fellow Muslims in order to create the spirit of solidarity in society, because this develops peace of mind and tranquility of heart.

source: irib.ir