Sakīnah (سكينة) in Islam
Etymology
The term Sakīnah (Arabic: سكِينَة) is derived from the Arabic root verb “س-ك-ن” (s-k-n), which means to be still, to dwell, or to find tranquility. In Turkish, it is similarly referred to as “Sakinlik”. The word has connotations of peace, tranquility, and divine presence.
Occurrences in the Qur’an
Sakīnah is mentioned five times in the Qur’an, with its meaning and implications discussed in various contexts:
1. Sakīnah and the Ark of the Covenant:
- Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2:249): “The sign of his (Saul’s) kingdom is that there shall come to you the Ark (Tābūt) with the Sakīnah in it from your Lord, and the relics that the family of Moses and the family of Aaron left, and the angels bear it.”
In this verse, Sakīnah is associated with the divine tranquility placed within the Ark of the Covenant, which was carried by the Israelites as a sign of God’s presence and support.
2. Sakīnah as Divine Tranquility:
- Sūrah Al-Fath (48:26): “When those who disbelieved harbored in their hearts chauvinism—the chauvinism of ignorance—God sent down His Sakīnah upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and imposed upon them the word of godliness…”
Here, Sakīnah is depicted as the tranquility and composure bestowed upon believers and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during times of distress.
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Sūrah At-Tawbah (9:26): “Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts which you did not see…”
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Sūrah At-Tawbah (9:40): “If you do not aid him (the Prophet), Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’ And Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with hosts you did not see…”
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Sūrah Al-Fath (48:4): “It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their (present) faith…”
Interpretations and Significance
Muslim scholars and commentators offer varying interpretations of Sakīnah. Some, like al-Baiẓāwī, equate it with the tranquility and peace that calms the soul. Others suggest it encompasses attributes like knowledge and sincerity.
Sakīnah and Shechinah
Sakīnah closely parallels the Hebrew term “Shechinah” (שְׁכִינָה), which denotes the dwelling or settling presence of God. While Shechinah does not appear in the Hebrew Bible, it is a later Jewish theological concept signifying God’s visible presence among humans.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” - Seyyed Hossein Nasr, et al.
- “Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader” - John Renard
- “The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity” - Seyyed Hossein Nasr
- “Tafsir al-Jalalayn” - J. Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti
Takeaways
- Sakīnah, recurrently mentioned in the Qur’an, symbolizes divine tranquility, peace, and God’s supportive presence.
- It provides a sense of calm and assurance to believers, often during challenging times.
- Sakīnah parallels with the Jewish concept of Shechinah, emphasizing a shared heritage of divine presence in Abrahamic faiths.
Conclusion
The concept of Sakīnah encapsulates profound theological significance in Islam, offering insights into divine tranquility and support for believers. Its parallel with the Hebrew Shechinah underscores a shared understanding of God’s comforting presence across Islamic and Jewish traditions.
