Life is not like the stillness of a lake in a moon lit night. We have ups and downs that effect our moods and attitudes. Despite the emotional and spiritual turbulences, we all seek inner peace inner peace to calm down our disturbed hearts. The inner peace and calmness are thus states in which the heart, mind, and soul are not constantly shaken by fear, anger, anxiety, greed, or inner conflict. It does not mean life becomes free of problems. Rather, it means a person develops stability within themselves even while facing uncertainty, hardship, or emotional storms.
In Islamic language, this is closely related to sakīnah (tranquility), ṭumaʾnīnah (deep reassurance), and salām (inner peace). The Qur’an repeatedly connects true calmness with nearness to Allah, trust in Him, and a purified heart. Of these three terminologies, let us explain what is “Saakīnah” (Arabic: السَّكِينَة) as mentioned in Al Qur'an and how we can calm down our turbulent hearts and achieve inner peace. To explain this magic world, let us take the 4th verse of Surah 48. Al Fath (The Victory) to explain it
The Verse
In Surah Al-Fatḥ (48:4), Allah says in The Quran:
“He is the One who sent down sakīnah (tranquility, calm reassurance) into the hearts of the believers so that they would increase in faith along with their faith. And to Allah belong the forces of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Context of the Verse
This verse was revealed around the events that led to the famous Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. The terms and conditions of the treat were outwardly very frustrating for the Muslims, for they were stopped from entering Makkah to perform Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage). This along with other conditions of the treaty were apparently completely in disfavor of the Muslims and many companions struggled to understand why a towel has been thrown in favour of the idolaters of Makkah who seemingly had won over them on a peace of paper.
Yet instead of panic or rebellion, Allah placed sakīnah into their hearts. This Godly assurance allowed them to trust Allah and obey the Prophet ﷺ more than before, and to remain united, and avoid emotional chaos. And for this trust reposed in Allah and His prophet, this treaty later proved to be a tremendous victory - rather a series of victories for the Muslims.
What is “Sakīnah” (السَّكِينَة)?
Now let us try to find out what does this Arabic word mean and how it tamed the boiling emotions of Muslims at the time.
Generally speaking, this Arabic word comes from the root which relates to: (1) stillness, (2) settling, (3) calmness, (4) dwelling peacefully.
But Sakīnah is not merely ordinary calmness. It is a divinely-given inner peace, stability, and reassurance placed in the heart by Allah. It includes:
- Emotional steadiness during hardship,
- Spiritual certainty amid confusion,
- Calm during fear,
- Dignity under pressure,
- Trust in Allah despite uncertainty.
That is men with sakīnah may still feel sadness or difficulty, but internally they are not shattered.
Sakīnah in the Qur’an
Allah mentions sakīnah several times during battles, fear, migration, and crises. For example:
- Upon the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr in the cave during Hijrah (9:40),
- Upon believers during trials,
- And at Hudaybiyyah in this verse.
This shows sakīnah is especially sent during turbulence.
Why is Sakīnah so important today?
We live in a world which expects more from a man in a given timeframe as compared to previous times when men had plenty of time to think and pursue a goal.
- This speed has added to anxiety, overstimulation, social media pressure, comparison, uncertainty, outrage culture, and constant distraction.
- Today, people have immense information but little mental peace.
- Although, many possess have means of entertainment, comfort, wealth, and connectivity - yet they remain internally restless.
A lot of books have been written to address stress and discomfort. Scholars today address stress and discomfort by shifting from reactive reduction to proactive prevention, neuro-biological regulation, and changing an individual’s relationship with discomfort. Rather than attempting to completely eliminate these unavoidable human experiences, current academic consensus focuses on building systemic resilience, re-engineering the brain’s neural pathways, and deploying real-time micro-interventions.
However, all these lectures and studies while identifying the why of our inner battles, fail to give out concrete steps to limit stress and mental pressures. But the Qur’an identifies a deeper human need: Not merely comfort — but tranquility of the heart.
How Can We Attain Sakīnah?
1. Through remembrance of Allah
- Allah says: “Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)
- That is why Dhikr softens internal turbulence.
- For example, when one's mind is agitated, restless and fails to find answers to many WHYs in life, he must resort to sincere duʿā’, recitation of Qur’an, do istighfār (repentance and seeking forgiveness) and indulge in quiet reflection of verses of the Qur'an which give solace to a disturbed heart and mind.
2. Through trust in Allah (tawakkul)
Much anxiety comes from trying to control everything. Sakīnah grows when a believer learns to strive sincerely, while accepting Allah’s wisdom in outcomes.
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah teaches that one may not understand events immediately, but Allah may be opening hidden الخير (goodness) which start to unfold in time.
3. Through obedience and avoiding sin
Sin often produces inner instability, spiritual darkness, guilt, and emotional agitation. But firm faith and true obedience to Allah's guidance creates spiritual clarity and calm. This does not mean believers never struggle emotionally, but hearts connected to Allah recover differently.
4. Through the Qur’an
Those who really read Al Qur'an while reflecting on its verses and the trying to find the hidden Divine wisdom, often find their hearts moving and a feeling that someone is watching over their actions. That is why Al Qur’an repeatedly describes itself as source of inner healing, mercy, guidance, light.
That is why deep engagement with Al Quran develops inner grounding - when not merely recitation with the tongue — but reflection with the heart.
5. Through patience during trials
- Sakīnah is often born inside hardship, not outside it.
- The companions received sakīnah not in luxury, but in uncertainty and pressure.
- Sometimes trials remove illusions and reconnect a person to Allah more deeply than ease ever could.
- A Beautiful Spiritual Insight: The verse says: “so that they would increase in faith along with their faith.”
- This means sakīnah strengthens īmān, and īmān strengthens sakīnah - They reinforce one another.
- A calm heart sees more clearly - that is why a heart connected to Allah panics less before worldly turbulence.
A Timeless Lesson
This verse teaches that true strength is not loudness or aggression. The companions at Hudaybiyyah showed extraordinary restraint because Allah placed sakīnah in their hearts.
- Today many people seek external success, influence, and stimulation - while their hearts remain exhausted.
- But the Qur’an points toward something deeper - A heart settled by nearness to Allah. That is sakīnah.
Ibn Kathir, defines Sakinah (السكينة) as a divinely sent state of tranquility, inner peace, and reassurance that Allah places into the hearts of the believers during moments of severe fear, danger, or trial.
“Saakīnah” ( السَّكِينَة) thus softens a believers heart and relieves him of unnecessary pressures and expectations. It helps a believer to develop a state of mind which feels rested the more one get to know Allah, His wisdom and the hidden direction which can only show the right path if one so tries to find out.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 48. Al Fath (The Victory) already published.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages:
- Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
- Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
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