Personal peace in Islam is known as the greater Jihad, this should be an individual submitting to God, Allah. This is expressed in relationships with the individual’s family and society and obedience to Islamic law and peaceful relationships with society as a whole. The belief of God in Islam leads to the knowledge of God, this knowledge leads to the love of God which ultimately enables Muslims to happiness and inner peace. In Islam, peace is only possible when the individual achieves inner peace, this inner peace is the result of true Islam, this is the submission of Allah. As stated in the Qur’an, Surah 13 verse 28, “Verily in the remembrance of God do hearts find peace and tranquility”.
Muslims essentially achieve their inner peace through basing all aspects of life on the mutual relationships between submission and the five pillars. Muslims assure that they are ticking off the obligations required of them, in order for them to one day enjoy eternal peace and happiness in paradise.
The second pillar of faith is Salah (obligatory prayer), this provides Muslims with an opportunity to directly interact with God. Inner peace is achieved through prayer for many individuals as it provides believers with stronger spiritual connection with God. Prayer also prevents Satan and evil spirits from invading the mind, therefore allowing the individual to reach their inner peace. Sunni reach their inner peace through praying five times a day, whereas, Shia achieve inner peace through three times a day. However, both Sunni and Shia perform the Hajj for achieving their inner peace.
Muslims essentially achieve inner peace through basing all aspects of life on the mutual relationships between submission and the five pillars. This gives the assurance that they are discharging the obligations required of them so that one day they might enjoy eternal peace and happiness in paradise. The pursuit of personal peace is necessary in order to ensure that the order of God’s creation is maintained. Just as God has established harmony in all aspects of creation, Muslims must ensure that this harmony is maintained in all aspects of their personal and social dealings as stated in Surah 7:85: “and do not corrupt the land after it has been set in order”. This understanding is further expressed in patient acceptance of life events – ‘Insha’Allah’, meaning God willing. The Qur’an assures believers that patience and peacefulness will be rewarded “the patient man is the helper of God” (Surah 61:14). It is also achieved in the realization of a place in paradise. The local mosque also provides Muslims with additional support in their quest to fulfill the requirements of the faith and consequently, to achieve personal peace.
Muslims continuously read prayers in order to stay away from the ‘Shaytan’ or the evil spirits. Muslims don’t regard Satan as the cause of evil, but rather as a tempter, who takes advantage of humans’ inclinations toward self-centeredness. Therefore reading ‘duas’ or prayers prevents the temptations and therefore attains peace. This idea is represented in Surah 2 Ayat 168, “do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy”.
The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj, this enables Muslims to attain their inner peace, as it is stated, “Strive in his cause as you ought to strive, with sincerity and under discipline” (Surah 22:78). Hajj requires sincerity, truthfulness in words and deeds, purity of the soul and inner peace. The adherent is determined to travel to perform the obligation of Hajj with being peaceful and pure, hoping to achieve God’s mercy and seeking His pleasure. One of the 99 names of Allah involves “Allah is the… source of peace and perfection” (Surah 59:23). In the Qur’an in chapter 20 verse 82, it is stated, “But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance”. This inclines the adherent to participate in the act of Hajj as Allah forgives and therefore the individual is able to achieve peace.