Be peaceful, it’s not rocket science.
Make peace.
Make Peace, Not Problems.
Peace: Resident therapist’s two-pence worth.
People often come to me with problems.
And to be honest, as much as I want to help, sometimes I’m tired. Because it’s not in my power to get people to understand things from each other’s perspective. I am not their brains. Nor am I their hearts. And for sure, neither their hearts nor minds, nor mine for that matter, are immune to faltering. We are human. And we make mistakes. Mistakes we are not proud of. When I see two disputing parties, and I have the position and opportunity to reconcile between them, I will try my best to do so, only for The One. Indeed, there is a great reward in our religion, our deen Al-Islam, in reconciling between people. So much so, that if you read the narration that follows, you would rush to mend where possible, or at least pray for it.
It was narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you something that is better than the status of (voluntary) fasting, prayer and charity?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “Reconciling in a case of discord, for the evil of discord is the shaver.” Al-Tirmidhi said: It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is the shaver, and I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it shaves (i.e., destroys) religious commitment.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4273; al-Tirmidhi, 2433. classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. IQA
When you ditch peace, you create problems.
You see, a lot the time, our egos get in the way. Ego, toppled with Satanic insinuations, and the egging on of devil’s advocates (namely backbiters, slanderers, tale-carriers and enviers), are the instigators of disharmony. Many a time we fail to make peace, rather we favour proving a point, holding power and control, or we refuse to humble ourselves and choose arrogance instead. Indeed, we end up destroying peace and replacing it with problems, pain and poverty.
For what it’s worth, at times it’s neccessary to see the bigger picture amidst dispute. We need to re-programme our minds. To be the bigger and better person, be the generous one, the forgiving one, the first to sincerely say sorry and to have the humility to admit error, or at least accept the apology of another, especially if they acknowledge their wrongs and seek to mend matters. Sure, it’s not always easy, it takes a lot of faith, courage, discipline, mercy, sincerity and humility to do so. It takes practice and patience, and above all, trust in The One, Allah.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Charity does not diminish wealth, Allah does not increase a man in anything for his pardoning (others) but in honor, and none humbles himself for Allah but Allah raises him.”
Key to becoming a peaceful person.
The key to becoming a peaceful person, is fixing our intentions, our sincerity, our honesty, integrity, humility and purpose, only for The One.
When we realise the truly ephemeral nature of this world, we remember our true destination is to The One, Allah.
We came from Paradise (i.e. the original residence of our parents Adam and Eve, upon them be peace), and we want so desperately to return to Paradise. We came to Earth as vicegerants to establish the testimony of faith, to live by it, act upon it and promote it. The testimony of faith, the Shahadah, is the lofty statement ‘لا إله إلا الله‘…There is no true god worthy of worship but Allah, The One. Indeed, our Creator gave us a great fortune. We must be true to it, sincerely for The One alone.
Conclude with peace.
In summary, be a person of justice and mercy. Make amends. Make peace. Forgive. Reconcile. Dissolve disputes. How to do so? Refer back to The Book of Allah, and The Practices of the final Prophet of Allah, Muhammad peace be upon him. When you have a sound and solid guideline, you won’t falter. Indeed, knowledge is power, and the fruits of learnt knowledge, is good action. Thereafter, we must convey the message, if we are to be people of success.
The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allâh orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger,[2] and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.
So no matter what your state or status, keep making every moment only for The One. You will see your life flourish, you will see your relationships mend, you will see your doors of provision open and you will build gardens in Paradise, with the permission of Allah.
Choose peace,
Only For The One.