Bismillaahir Rah’maanir Rah’eem. All praise to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved unlettered Prophet, his family, and his noble companions. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1.1 Luxuries Do Not Bring Peace
Many people often associate luxury and comfort with expensive houses, clothes, and food. However, true comfort in life is connected to the state of the Qalb (heart), and the tranquility of the Qalb does not depend on material luxuries but rather on the wealth of one’s faith. It is not guaranteed that having all these material possessions will bring inner peace, as peace is a separate entity that can only be achieved through faith and not through the pursuit of worldly desires. A person may possess all the comforts of life, but still lack inner peace if they do not have faith.If we encounter a person who experiences sleeplessness, it becomes evident that they lack inner peace, leaving no room for doubt. Allah ﷻ, in the Quran, states regarding those who neglect His remembrance: “But whoever turns away from My remembrance, indeed, he will have a depressed life.” (20:124).
These words are firmly established, akin to being etched in stone. Our belief in this should be unwavering, surpassing even our belief in the rising of the sun each day. It is essential to understand that no matter how abundant the comforts and luxuries one possesses, without faith, true peace will forever elude them. May Allah ﷻ allow this understanding to deeply penetrate our hearts. It is an undeniable reality that no person in this world can attain true peace without embracing the faith (deen). Even if someone possesses all the material luxuries and comforts, it is impossible to experience genuine peace without a connection to the divine. When Allah ﷻ, the ultimate source of peace, clearly declares that peace cannot be found through worldly means, it becomes evident that searching for peace elsewhere is futile. Therefore, we must recognize that the pathways to comfort and luxury differ from the path to attaining true inner peace.
1.2 Peace Lies in Deen of Allah, the Exalted
The root of peace lies in acting upon the Shariah (Islamic rulings) and abstaining from sins. This is the means to safeguard oneself from corruption (fasad). The foundation of peace (aman) is a righteous life and avoiding sins. Mufti Shafi (rahimahullah) states, “I swear by Allah ﷻ that the one who lives according to the Shariah is a King.” Such an individual is a king by heart, as they possess inner peace, contentment, and richness. They may not possess an outward kingdom, yet their heart is filled with tranquility. On the other hand, those who are distant from the Shariah are like trapped individuals in a cage. Despite outward luxuries, they remain constantly worried and restless, pondering over the potential consequences of their actions, uncertainties about the future, and other concerns. Theirs is a life of torment, tasting punishment in this world. The true extent of the worries harbored in his heart is unknown. Despite his outward appearance of regality, he remains plagued by constant concerns, to the point that even when he lies in bed, peace eludes him. His mind is consumed by worries, fearing potential harm from various sources. May Allah ﷻ protect us from acquiring such a kingdom and instead grant us kingship of the heart.
1.3 The Reward of Righteous in the World
Always keep in mind the priority of pleasing Allah ﷻ. The key to attaining peace lies in maintaining a strong connection with Allah ﷻ and distancing oneself from anything or anyone other than Him. By doing so, one can experience peace and tranquility in both this world and the Hereafter. Even if a person faces poverty or external hardships, the inner peace and contentment of the heart make them akin to a king, surpassing any worldly possessions or means. From a hadith of Rasoolullah ﷺ, we learn that when a person abandons a life of sin and embraces righteousness, Allah ﷻ bestows three blessings upon them in this world:
- Allah ﷻ instills respect and honor for the individual in the hearts of people, regardless of their wealth or occupation.
- Even without material wealth and possessions, Allah ﷻ enriches their heart with contentment and inner richness.
- Despite not being beloved or favored by anyone, Allah ﷻ grants them peace and tranquility within their heart.
What more could we desire in this world when we attain honor, richness, and peace? These blessings, as mentioned by the truthful tongue of the Prophet ﷺ, hold a unique sweetness when they emanate from the hearts of people, unlike any worldly attainment. When one finds richness within their heart, they no longer feel impoverished even without vast material wealth; their contentment surpasses any worldly possession. Do not assume that abandoning a life of sin and embracing righteousness will deprive us of the pleasures of this world. On the contrary, we will experience a level of enjoyment, happiness, and inner peace that far surpasses anything the people of this worldly life have ever tasted. You will see the righteous eating dried bread, but he will have peace and contentment in his heart. On the other hand, you will see another person with a delicious meal spread before him, but he will be restless inside. Who do you think is better: the one who is enjoying dried bread, or the other who is restless while having the delicious food?
It is important to understand that the rewards for righteous deeds are not only reserved for the hereafter. Allah ﷻ, in His infinite mercy, grants a portion of those rewards in this worldly life as well. Through righteousness, one experiences inner peace, contentment, and a sense of fulfillment. Additionally, righteousness brings about honor and glory in the eyes of others. It is not necessarily tied to an increase in wealth or material possessions, but it undoubtedly leads to an increase in peace, contentment, and esteem in the sight of people. Advancements in science and technology have indeed allowed humans to achieve remarkable feats such as flying in the sky, exploring the depths of the sea, and reaching the moon. They have provided us with the ability to harness the power of the sun and hold the wind. However, despite these impressive achievements, true peace, comfort, and tranquility of the heart, as well as peace and security within the family, cannot be attained through scientific advancements alone. Rather, they can only be achieved by adhering to the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is astonishing to think that just a century ago, people could not fathom the level of progress that science and technology would reach. At the same time, no one could have predicted the extent to which peace and tranquility would diminish, leaving humanity restless and disturbed.
There is only one way to achieve peace, and that is by following the path of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If we have belief in Allah ﷻ and in the accountability of our deeds in the hereafter, our lives will be infused with peace. The poor Muslim may limit their practice of Islam, fearing the consequences of fully embracing it and abandoning worldly pursuits. They wonder how they will sustain themselves in this world if they fully commit to Islam. It has been emphasized numerous times in the Quran and by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that true success and happiness in this world can only be attained by pleasing Allah ﷻ. The mindset of some Muslims has unfortunately shifted to believe that progress in in business, married life, or other worldly pursuits can only be achieved through committing sins. This distorted belief is causing a deviation from true Islamic principles in both thought and action. It can even lead to doubts and fears of apostasy. How did this happen? Some Muslims not only abandon the practice of purdah (modesty), but also view it as an obstacle to progress, ultimately rejecting it altogether. They not only engage in sinful actions, but also hold the dangerous belief that a life without sin is unlivable in this world.
1.4 Do Not Fear and Change Your Mindset
May Allah ﷻ enable us to deeply internalize the fact that true success in both this world and the hereafter can only be attained through adherence to the principles of Islam. When we truly understand this, living a life completely based on the teachings of Islam becomes easier, and we find the motivation to work hard and make sacrifices in the path of Allah ﷻ. In general, human beings work hard and make sacrifices when they have hope and certainty of achieving their goals. For example, when someone needs a costly medical procedure, they gather the necessary funds through hard work, despite their limited income, because they have faith that the operation will bring about the desired outcome. Similarly, if a Muslim truly believes that success lies in following the teachings of Islam, they will be motivated to work diligently in pursuing their religious obligations and striving for excellence.
The reason why some individuals may not be willing to work hard, make sacrifices, or strive in the path of Deen is because they have not fully grasped the deep understanding that true success comes through following the principles of Islam. Consequently, they are not ready to strive, sacrifice, or work hard in the path of Deen. Therefore, living life according to the principles of Shariah is crucial. By doing so, Allah ﷻ will make everyone respect you, inshaAllah. When you hold respect for the commands of Allah ﷻ in your heart, Allah ﷻ will reciprocate that respect in the hearts of the people. If you believe that you can gain the respect of people without showing respect for the commands of Allah ﷻ, I assure you, it will never happen. People may offer superficial gestures of respect, such as salutations and polite words, but true respect will not reside in their hearts. Even within your own family, including your wife and children, you will not be genuinely respected if you do not uphold the commands of Allah ﷻ.
Stay steadfast in your commitment to the deen, and you will captivate everyone around you. It is important to note that the treatment received from Allah ﷻ differs for believers and enemies. Muslims are held to a higher standard and are subject to strict accountability in all aspects of their lives, including matters of trade, family, and raising children. Sometimes, they may even face punishment in this world as a means of rectification. On the other hand, enemies of the deen are allowed to roam freely, but they will eventually face a sudden and severe punishment that will bring them immense pain and regret.
1.5 Become a Friend of Allah, the Exalted
Allah ﷻ, as the friend of the believers, does not treat His ﷻ friends and enemies equally, no matter how bad the actions of His ﷻ friends may be. Like how a father immediately makes his son understand or a teacher swiftly reprimands a student, Allah ﷻ also corrects and disciplines the believers so that they may feel regret and repent. However, the enemies are given a respite for a while, only to be caught later without any chance of escape. Therefore, the treatment of friends and enemies differs significantly. As long as Muslims have the glory and love of Allah ﷻ in their hearts, they will remain among the friends of Allah ﷻ. However, if their eeman (faith) is weakened and they become hypocrites, they will become enemies of Allah ﷻ. In this world, Muslims may face punishments for their misdeeds, which serve to lessen the burden on the Day of Resurrection. On the other hand, disbelievers (kuffar) and hypocrites (munafiqeen) will be severely held accountable without any lessening of their punishments. If you observe that the enemies of Allah ﷻ are enjoying luxuries and appear to be happy, do not be amazed, as this is a sign of their ultimate loss. When the Prophet ﷺ described this world as a prison for the believers and a paradise for the disbelievers, it signifies that the disbelievers are given freedom to indulge in worldly pleasures, while the believers lead a more restricted and disciplined life.
May Allah ﷻ grant us all the honor and glory of adhering to the principles of our faith and bestow upon us a firm belief that our success in both this world and the Hereafter lies solely in following His commands. Ameen. Let us not tolerate irreligiosity in our children, family, and in our dealings, as we should firmly believe that such actions will only bring us and our loved ones loss. With this belief, we will take every step carefully, seeking the pleasure of Allah ﷻ. May Allah ﷻ assist us in translating our knowledge and preaching into action. May He ﷻ bestow His blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his esteemed companions (RA). Ameen. All praise and gratitude are due to Allah ﷻ.
-Sheikh Maulana Abdus Sattar (DB)
The heart opener 
Remembrance of Allaah increases eemaan (faith) and causes hearts to attain tranquility, as Allaah – the Most High – said: “Ala bi zikrillahi tatmainnal qulub” “Indeed in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find tranquility.” [Soorah ar-Ra`d 13:28].