Whenever we talk about peace, we recall moments that were among the sweetest in our lives. Peace and comfort are concepts that we all cherish, and many of our life goals are based on them. From a newborn cradled in the arms of their mother to an elderly man retiring after years of work; from a student awaiting the arrival of holidays to a university student who has completed an academic year; from a young person who has finished a hard day at work to parents who watch the fruits of their labor through the success of their children—everyone is in search of peace.
However, every time we move past one stage, we realize that we must look for peace at the end of the next stage. Sometimes it seems that this cycle has no end, or that peace is only reserved for a select few.
So where should we search for peace? Where should we seek the answer to this question, and from whom should we ask?
God, who created us and knows every aspect of our being, is the best one who can show us how to attain peace. It is therefore best to search for the concept of peace in the words of His saints.
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him), the noble man who, despite enduring the harshest sufferings of the world, never lost his peace, reveals part of the answer to our question in a profound saying.
Zahri (one of his students) says: I heard Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) say: “Whoever does not find solace in the promises of God, his heart will be torn apart by the regrets of this world. By God, this world and the Hereafter are like two pans of a scale: when one side becomes heavier, the other becomes lighter.” He then recited the following verses:
“The Day the heaven will sway, and the mountains will be moved.” [1]. He then said: “By God, it will be the enemies of God who will be cast into the fire, and the friends of God will be raised to the highest places in Paradise.”
He then turned to one of those present and said: “Beware of God and seek your desires through the right means. Do not seek what has not been created, for whoever seeks what has not been created will have his heart torn with regret, and will never attain what he seeks.”
A man asked: “How can something that has not been created be sought?” The Imam answered: “Anyone who pursues wealth, property, and prosperity in this world, thinking that his comfort is in it, is mistaken. Comfort was neither created in this world, nor is it for the people of this world. Comfort was only created in Paradise and is for its inhabitants. Hardship and toil were created for this world and are meant for its people. Every person to whom a portion of this world is given, a double portion of greed is also given. The more a person acquires in this world, the greater his needs become, for he is now dependent on others to preserve his wealth and is constantly in need of worldly means. Therefore, there is no comfort in wealth, but Satan whispers to the children of Adam that peace is in accumulating wealth, while in fact, it only brings distress in this world and accountability in the Hereafter.”
He continued: “The friends of God never toiled for the sake of this world; they worked in this world for the sake of the Hereafter.”
Indeed, what was not created in this world and for its people is comfort. However, peace in this world is attainable, but God has not placed peace in its comforts. He has instructed us not to seek peace in comfort but to seek it in faith in Him and trust in His promises. Whoever does not find solace in God’s promises, his heart will be torn with the regrets of this world.
“Taken from the book Khisal by Sheikh Saduq, Chapter of the Two, translated by Sayyid Ahmad Fahri Zanjani”
Footnote:
[1](Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Verses 1-3)