Tranquility is a characteristic of the Prophets
- Tranquility was a characteristic of Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt his mention, in his confrontation with his father, his people and An-Namrooth (Nimrod) the tyrant. Tranquility was also his characteristic when he left his wife Haajar, may Allah be pleased with her, and his only son Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael), may Allah exalt his mention, in Makkah. It was also his characteristic when he was about to slaughter Ismaa‘eel, may Allah exalt his mention. Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, was indeed composed and assured during all incidents and affairs in his life.
- Tranquility was also the characteristic of Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, in his confrontation with Pharaoh. Likewise, he showed tranquility when he was encouraging the children of Israel to be firm. He said (what means): {“Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.”}[Quran 7:128] He was also tranquil when he was facing certain destruction; the sea was before him and Pharaoh was behind him. Thereupon, the Children of Israel said what is mentioned in the verse (what means): {Indeed, we are to be overtaken.}[Quran 26:61] However, Moosa, may Allah exalt his mention, replied saying what is mentioned in the verse (what means): {No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.}[Quran 26:62]
- Tranquility was the characteristic of Yoosuf (Joseph), may Allah exalt his mention, in his confrontation with his brothers and the woman who tried to seduce him. He was also tranquil when he was imprisoned, and after assuming a position of leadership in Egypt and when he supplicated to Allah The Exalted saying what is mentioned in the verse (what means): {“My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”}[Quran 12:101]
- Tranquility was one of the attributes of the Prophet, , that were mentioned in the previous scriptures, such as where it is stated: “I [Allah The Almighty] will send an illiterate messenger; he will be neither impolite, rough nor noisy in the markets. He will not be obscene or vulgar. I will make him tranquil and good.”
Assurance of the heart and consoling those who are distressed
Tranquility is a delicate feeling created by Allah The Almighty. It descended upon the heart of the Prophet, , and the hearts of the believers. Tranquility implies spirit and power; hence, it reassures those who are frightened and consoles those who are distressed. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “We would say that tranquility was materialized in ‘Umar’s, may Allah be pleased with him, tongue [speech] and heart.”
Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Tranquility is gain, and forsaking it is loss.”
Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Every occurrence of the word Sakeenah in the Quran refers to tranquility, except the one that is in Soorat Al-Baqarah.” He was referring to the Quranic verse where Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And their prophet said to them, “Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is Sakeenah [assurance] from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moosa [Moses] and the family of Haaroon [Aaron] had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”}[Quran 2:248]
Sharee‘ah texts enjoin us to adopt tranquility
- In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said, “Iheard the Prophet saying: ‘When the Iqaamah is pronounced, do not go to prayer running; you should walk calmly with tranquility. Pray what you catch in congregation and complete what you miss.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
- The Prophet, , also said:“When the Iqaamah is pronounced, do not get up until you see me. Then get up with tranquility.”[Al-Bukhari]
- The Prophet, , also said: “Make things easy for people, and do not make things difficult for them, and make them tranquil [with glad tidings] and do not repulse [them].”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
- The Prophet, , said to the people on the evening of ‘Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage: “O people! Proceed with tranquility.”
- Tranquility is from Allah The Almighty, and like all the blessings of Allah The Almighty, it can never be obtained except though our obedience to Him. Supplication is one the greatest causes of being endowed with tranquility. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
· {But Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and imposed upon them the word of righteousness, and they were more deserving of it and worthy of it. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.}[Quran 48:26]
· {It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.}[Quran 48:4]
- The Prophet, , said: “That was tranquility, which descended as a result of the recitation of the Quran.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
- The Prophet, , also said: “Any group of people who assemble in one of the Houses of Allah to recite and study the Quran, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will overwhelm them, angels will surround them, and Allah will make mention of them [to the angels].”[Muslim]
- In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, , said: “Pride and arrogance are the characteristics of camel owners, whereas, tranquility and dignity are characteristics of sheep owners.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Some of the most revered scholars would recite the Quranic verses that speak about tranquility during times of disturbance, and this proved to have a great effect. Ibn Al-Qayyim said in his book Madaarij As-Saalikeen, “Whenever Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah found things difficult, he would recite the verses mentioning tranquility. I heard him say about a difficult situation that happened to him during his sickness, ‘When I got very sick, I asked those who were around me to recite on me the verses that speak about tranquility. Once they did, I recovered completely.’”
Ibn Al-Qayyim also said, “I read these verses and I found that they had a great influence on the assurance and tranquility of the heart.”
Finally, we supplicate Allah The Exalted to bless us with tranquility and make our feet firm when we meet our enemies. We also ask You, O Allah, for everything that is good in this world and in the Hereafter, whether or not we know it; and we seek Your protection from everything that is evil, both in this world and in the Hereafter, whether or not we know it.