Peace

“Indeed, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts find peace.”
— (Quran 13:28)

Peace: The Final Chapter of the Journey

We’ve traveled this journey together, reflecting on each stage of life’s path. We began by defining the body as a vehicle, the physical means through which we navigate this world. We explored the mind, heart, and soul—the drivers steering us forward. We defined our ultimate destination, our why, and our purpose: to return to Allah SWT.

We got to know ourselves better through passion, understanding the kind of “car” we are—our strengths and abilities—so we can serve more effectively. Then, we discussed the Path, the road we take, and how to choose the best one that aligns with our purpose and values. Afterward, we dove into Prosperity, understanding the resources around us, including wealth, and how to use them with Barakah to fulfill our purpose without being distracted by Dunya.

And now, we arrive at the final chapter: Peace.

Peace: The Thread That Weaves It All Together

Peace is the culmination of everything we’ve discussed. It’s the state that binds the journey, the destination, and the how. It’s not just about the end goal—it’s about how we feel during the way. True peace is not just found at the destination; it is experienced on the journey itself.

This chapter isn’t just about reaching a place of tranquility in the Hereafter. It’s about achieving inner peace while navigating the challenges, detours, and blessings of life. It’s about walking through this world with calm, clarity, and a heart firmly anchored in trust in Allah SWT.

In this final chapter, we’ll explore how to align all the parts of our journey so that our steps are steady, our hearts are content, and our souls are at peace, no matter where we are on the path. Because, ultimately, peace isn’t just a goal; it’s a way of walking through life – it is a state of being.

The Three States of the Self

As we journey through life, our soul (nafs) moves through three distinct states, as mentioned in the Quran:

Nafs al-Mutma’inna (The Soul at Peace)
This is the state of the soul that has achieved tranquility and contentment by being aligned with Allah SWT’s will. It is free from conflict, fully trusting Allah, and deeply connected to Him. This is the ultimate state we strive for—the soul at peace.
Nafs al-Lawwama (The Reproaching Soul)
This is the soul caught in the middle, constantly shifting between good and bad. It reproaches itself for its wrongs and strives to improve, but it is not yet at peace.
Nafs al-Ammara bil-Su’
(The Evil-Inclined Soul)
This is the lowest state of the self, the soul dominated by desires and inclinations toward evil. It is the state where sins are committed without care or remorse, and the heart becomes hardened, leading to spiritual blindness.

The State of the Spiritual Heart and Its Light

As we discussed earlier, the spiritual heart acts as the headlight guiding us on the path. When we commit a sin, even a small one, a black spot appears on the heart’s light. If we immediately turn to Allah SWT in tawbah (repentance), that spot is polished away, and the light shines again. But if we neglect repentance and allow sins to pile up, those black spots multiply, eventually covering the heart entirely.

When this happens, the light of the heart is blocked, and our spiritual headlight turns off. We lose the ability to see the world clearly through the lens of faith, falling into the state of Ghafla (heedlessness). This is the condition of Nafs al-Ammara bil-Su’, the evil-inclined soul, which Allah SWT warns us about:

“Their hearts have been sealed, so they do not understand.” (Quran 9:87)

In this state, the heart is locked, the mind is unable to discern truth, and the eyes fail to perceive the signs of Allah. It is the worst state to be in—cut off from the guidance and mercy of Allah SWT.

A Prayer for Guidance

We ask Allah SWT to protect us from ever reaching this state of heedlessness and spiritual blindness. May He keep our hearts pure, our lights shining brightly, and our souls aligned with Him. May we always turn to Him in repentance and strive to achieve Nafs al-Mutma’inna, the soul at peace.

“O Allah, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Keep us firm upon Your path, and grant us Your mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Quran 3:8)

Nafs al-Lawwama: The Reproaching Soul

Now, let’s reflect on Nafs al-Lawwama, the reproaching soul. This is the state where many of us, as Muslims, often find ourselves. It’s a state of fluctuation, where we change between good and bad, between obedience and sin, between progress and setbacks.

When we do something good—say our prayers on time, give charity, or help someone—we feel a sense of accomplishment and gratitude, saying, “Alhamdulillah.” But then, life happens. We slip, we commit sins, and we feel the sting of regret. The Nafs al-Lawwama reproaches us, reminding us of our shortcomings and urging us to turn back to Allah SWT.

A Cycle of Seeking Forgiveness

This state is not static—it’s an ongoing cycle of falling and rising, of making mistakes and asking for forgiveness. It’s the nature of being human. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Every son of Adam is a sinner, and the best of sinners are those who repent.” (Tirmidhi)

In this state, we acknowledge our flaws but refuse to remain stagnant. We repent, we recalibrate, and we strive to move closer to Allah. The reproaching soul keeps us grounded, reminding us to turn back to Him whenever we falter.

A Stable Yet Imperfect State

For many of us, Nafs al-Lawwama is the default mode of our spiritual journey. It’s a state of self-awareness, where we recognize when we stray and take steps to return to the right path. While it is not the ultimate state, it’s a necessary and natural part of the process.

A Dua for Strength

We ask Allah SWT to help us rise more often than we fall, to grant us the strength to turn back to Him whenever we slip, and to guide us toward the higher state of Nafs al-Mutma’inna.

“O Allah, forgive us for our shortcomings, help us overcome our weaknesses, and guide us to be among those who are steadfast on Your path. Ameen.”

In the next section, we’ll explore the ultimate state we aspire to reach: Nafs al-Mutma’inna, the soul at peace. This is the state of tranquility that brings us closer to Allah and aligns our hearts and actions with His will. Let’s reflect on what it means to truly live in a state of peace.

Nafs al-Mutma’inna: The Soul at Peace

The ultimate state we all strive for is Nafs al-Mutma’inna, the soul at peace. This is the soul that understands the temporary nature of the world, seeing it for what it truly is—a test. A soul in this state isn’t overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life because it realizes that everything, good or bad, comes from Allah SWT and serves a purpose in the grand design of our existence.

Dhikr, Fikr, Shukr, Sabr
In Islam, peace is deeply connected to four key practices:

Dhikr: The remembrance of Allah
Fikr: Reflective thinking or contemplation
Shukr: Gratitude for Allah’s blessings
Sabr: Patience in the face of hardship

These practices ground us in the present moment and remind us that true peace comes from within. When we engage in dhikr, we remind ourselves of Allah’s presence, which calms the heart. When we practice fikr, we contemplate the deeper meaning of life, which helps us see beyond temporary struggles. When we show shukr, we shift our focus to the blessings in our lives, and when we exercise sabr, we learn to be content with Allah’s plan.

The World as a Perfect Test

The world, in its essence, is perfect—not perfect in the sense of being free from flaws or challenges, but perfect for its purpose. Allah SWT created it as a test, and a test must include both good and evil, joy and hardship, to fulfill its function. For the soul at peace, this understanding brings clarity. It sees beyond the apparent imperfections of the world and recognizes its role in the divine plan.

This is why we say, “You are exactly where you are supposed to be.” The question isn’t where you are right now—the question is where you are going. What choices will you make? What actions will you take to align yourself with the will of Allah SWT?

Flowing with the Divine Harmony

Allah SWT tells us that everything in creation glorifies Him, existing in a constant state of flow, submitting to His will. The stars, the trees, the oceans—they all operate in perfect harmony with their Creator. But for us—jinn and mankind—we were given free will. And with that freedom comes the responsibility to choose our path:

Will we use our free will to follow our desires, letting the distractions of Dunya lead us astray?
Or will we submit willingly to the divine harmony of Allah’s will, embracing Islam—submission in peace?

When we align ourselves with Allah’s purpose, our soul enters a state of tranquility. We become part of the divine flow, experiencing a sense of balance and harmony that transcends worldly challenges.

A Metaphor for the Soul at Peace

One of the best examples of this state is a moment from The Matrix, when Neo finally sees reality for what it is. The agents, once terrifying, appear as mere green blobs of code—no longer a threat but part of the system he now understands. With this realization, Neo is able to bend and mold reality.

For the soul at peace, life’s trials and tribulations are like those agents—temporary and inconsequential in the grand scheme. When we understand this, we stop resisting and start flowing, trusting Allah’s plan. This isn’t about being passive; it’s about recognizing that everything we experience, good or bad, is a stepping stone on the journey back to Him.

Submission Leads to Peace

Islam is more than just peace—it is submitting in peace so we can be at peace. A soul in this state embraces whatever comes its way, knowing it’s all from Allah. Whether we face ease or difficulty, we turn to Allah for forgiveness and mercy, and we continue forward, steadfast and serene.

A Dua for the Soul at Peace

“O Allah, grant us the tranquility of Nafs al-Mutma’inna. Help us see beyond the trials of this world and trust in Your divine plan. Guide us to align our free will with Your will, and allow us to live and die in a state of peace, submitting fully to You. Ameen.”

This is the state we strive for—a life where our soul is in harmony with Allah SWT’s will, navigating the temporary trials of this world with clarity, trust, and peace. It is the ultimate destination, the goal of our journey, and the promise of eternal peace in the Hereafter.

Life: An Unfinished Love Poem

One of the great Muslim poets once said, “Life is an unfinished love poem.” It’s a profound metaphor, isn’t it? If life is this unfinished poem, the question we must ask ourselves is, What verse am I? What do I mean?

Life is a beautiful invitation, a divine gift from Allah SWT, patiently awaiting our every move. Each moment presents us with a choice—a chance to add another verse to the story of our lives. So, my question to you, and to myself, is this:

How will we live our lives?
What mark will we leave on this world?
What will be our next move?

This chapter and this journey come to an end with this powerful reflection. As representatives of Allah on earth, entrusted with this beautiful life, how will we rise to the challenge? Against all odds, we’ve been given this chance to align our lives with our purpose, to seek Allah’s pleasure, and to leave behind a legacy of meaning and faith.

A Final Dua for Peace

We close this journey with a heartfelt du’a:

“Ya Allah, Anta as-Salam wa Minka as-Salam. You are Peace, and from You is Peace. Grant us peace in our hearts, our minds, and our souls. Make our journey peaceful and easy upon us. Grant us clarity to understand our purpose, and the strength to submit to You with our free will. Let us join the harmony of Your creation, glorifying You, coming closer to You, and seeking Your pleasure.

O Allah, You created us against all odds. You gave us this beautiful gift of life. Help us live it as Your representatives on earth, rising to the challenges with steadfastness and trust in You. Forgive our shortcomings, guide us to the Straight Path, and make us among the muqarrabun—those who are closest to You.

Let us be among those with whom You are pleased. Let us join Your messengers, Your friends, and those You have honored. In the end, let us fulfill this journey, meet You, and join Your divine party. Ya Allah, grant us this, and accept our efforts. Ameen.”

Closing Reflection

Life is an unfinished love poem, waiting for us to add meaning to its verses. So, as we conclude this journey, let us commit to living with purpose, passion, prosperity and in peace, and submission to Allah SWT. Let us rise to the challenge of being His representatives on earth, writing our story with every choice we make.

The pen is in your hands. What will your next verse be?

Goals:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how you evaluate your Peace?
What are your Peace goals to achieve 10?

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Beliefs:
What are your beliefs about your Peace?
What is holding you back to achieve 10 out of 10?

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Motivation:
Why does it matter to achieve these goals?
What happens if you do? What happens if you don’t?

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Methods:
What is your plan to achieve your Peace goals?
What simple steps can you take today?

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