Most reverts to Islam can pinpoint the exact moment when they began to question their previous religion or began inquiring about its veracity.

For many, the journey to Islam began with a thirst for knowledge and a quest to understand the purpose of human existence.

Quite notably, many reverts turn to Islam as a means of salvation from the chaos and uncertainty that often exists in the other world religions.

Falsehood does not promote tranquility or peace. However, adherence to the religion of Islam does induce a great sense of peace and satisfaction that is soothing to the body and mind. Achieving inner peace, while in a state of Islam, can have enormous effects on our faith and our quality of life.

There are several ways to achieve inner peace.

Understanding “Peace”

By definition the word “peace” means, “Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.”

However, the word means different things to different people.

For some, acquiring massive amounts of wealth and indulging in a luxurious lifestyle is the epitome of peace.

For others, the ability to dominate others and impose their ideals upon them is the essence of peace.

To Muslims, however, peace is something that is achieved by reconciling our human needs with the world around us while under the shade of Islam. It can be a very fine juggling act for new reverts, who are just gaining a foothold with their new religion.

Removing Obstacles

Within all human beings there exist obstacles that thwart our efforts to achieve inner peace. Some of them include anger, jealousy, greed and the like. All of these obstacles can be changed by our choices or behavior. For example, someone who is consistently angry can seek counseling or learn techniques to control their anger. The key for reverts is to recognize obstacles and look for ways to alleviate them.

There also exist obstacles that cannot be changed. For example, a child born under the Israeli occupation in Palestine is born into a series of obstacles that will affect every aspect of life well before he has taken that first breath. As God Almighty says in the Quran:

{…it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 216)

There are limits to which obstacles we can remove and which ones are permanent fixtures of our lives. When understanding the latter, these types of obstacles are best viewed as trials and tribulations that are tests from God Almighty. The best way to cope with them is to have patience and trust in God’s Decree. By doing so, you can achieve inner peace.

Find Your Purpose

Perhaps your parents invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in your education and now you’ve become a highly respected individual in your field. You must, however, ask yourself: “Is this your true purpose?”

Countless people around the world work in professions that hold no meaning for them. They simply go through the motions, day in and day out, with their eyes firmly fixated on that paycheck that arrives every month. Granted, humans must hold jobs in order to feed themselves and their families. Yet, great consideration must be taken for the new Muslim seeking to achieve inner peace.

Whether you are a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills or an accountant in Dubai, every moment of life should hold a halal purpose that not only benefits your soul, but the lives of those around you. Uncover your real purpose in life and look for ways to achieve it whether that means taking a cut in pay so that you can spend more time raising your children in the light of Islam or quitting your job in favor of one that can truly help others. By finding your real calling, you can find inner peace.

The Remembrance of God

One of the best prescriptions for achieving inner peace comes directly from the Quran:

{Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah’s remembrance are the hearts set at rest.} (Ar-Ra’d 13: 28)

There are several places in the Quran where the remembrance of God is recommended as a means to achieve success in this life and the hereafter. Both new and seasoned Muslims can actually feel how soothing the remembrance of God is to the body, mind and soul. Praying the five obligatory prayers, engaging in acts of dhikr and reciting from the Quran have a calming effect on us.

When we have a connection with our Lord, we can achieve inner peace. When we ignore our Islamic duties, and that connection is severed, anxiety and chaos are sure to follow suit. Inner peace is a gift from God and can only be achieved in the light of Islam. The Muslim’s tongue should always be busy with the remembrance of God whether you’re sitting at a traffic light and reciting a verse memorized from the Quran or listening to an Islamic lecture on your mobile device.

Forgiveness – Seek & Give

Forgiveness plays a vital role in our lives and the achievement of inner peace. A true Muslim consistently seeks forgiveness from God Almighty for his shortcomings and transgressions. No one is perfect and, regardless of your level of Islam, seeking forgiveness is a noble deed in Islam. Remember that only God can forgive our sins and remove the distress from our hearts. God Almighty says in the Quran:

{…Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves} (Al-Baqarah 2: 222)

You must also seek to forgive others. Holding a grudge against someone allows a host of negative emotions to flourish and take root, which is counterproductive to the attainment of inner peace. Instead, recognize that all humans have shortcomings and forgive the transgression based upon that. In the grand scheme of things, our petty squabbles are nothing in the light of the Grandeur of God Almighty. However, such disputes do have an effect on achieving inner peace and must be dealt with swiftly.

Achieving inner peace brings a sense of harmony and purpose to life. It helps to alleviate chaos and brings a sense of structure to life so that you can focus on what is really important.

By achieving your own inner peace, you can become a better Muslim and really contribute to the benefit of your community.