The Power Of Your Mind As A Muslim

The Power Of Your Mind As A Muslim

The most powerful and complex organ of the body— the human mind is responsible for numerous cognitive abilities such as; thinking, perception, feeling, and memory just to name a few. Its ability to complete said tasks authorises it to influence your physical and emotional state, effecting your thoughts in a positive or negative manner effortlessly. While positive thoughts can generate confidence and become a source of happiness, negative thoughts can weigh you down and become inwardly. This ultimately determines your health and well-being. 

Our mind, also known as our consciousness, actively directs energy that shapes our reality. To put it simply, our thoughts hone the ability to attract and manifest outcomes, with due action, to achieve a certain goal. This isn’t just philosophical musings; as even scientific research has started to validate this phenomenon. Stating how thoughts directly impact our relationships, mental health and overall well-being. 

As science is just catching up on this, Islam acknowledged this centuries ago. Highlighting and describing the power of the human mind in detail. Humans are known as  “Ashraf-ul-Makhluqat”—the best and noblest of all creations". Though this phrase is not explicitly mentioned in the Holy Quran or in the hadith of the beloved Prophet (PBUH), the concept is derived from several Quranic verses and hadith that emphasize on the special status and abilities bestowed to humans by Allah (SWT). 

Mentioned in the Holy Quran, in Surah At-Tin, this verse is frequently interpreted to believe how humans are created in "the best form" in comparison to other creations of Allah (SWT), yet it does not explicitly state our nobility in its absolute sense. There are numerous other Quranic verses that emphasize on this point, however, they certainly do not declare humans as the most superior of all creations. 

Similarly, verses from Surah Ali Imran and Surah Al-Isra respectively, are just a few more examples of how the notion of humans being the "best of creations" is derived, even though the verses do not explicitly state as such, they merely indicate the significant status of humans. 

One may be left questioning why humans are associated with such a high caliber. Though there are numerous qualities that sets us apart from other creations of Allah (SWT), the human mind plays a huge role. Islam has paid great attention to the human mind and held it in high expectations. Not only is it important for us to thank Allah (SWT) for blessing us with the greatest blessing, it's also crucial we maintain its health and utilize it for the betterment of ourselves and others.

We can treat it as our duty to manage our thoughts because, as stated above, they influence our view on ourselves, others and life in general. 

Can We Really Control Our Thoughts?

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” 

Many would love to debate whether we are capable of controlling our mind and  Many believe our thoughts are beyond our control and can not be tamed, the truth is quite the contrary. 

It is easier said than done, understandably so, however it is not impossible. You can effectively reprogram your subconscious mind with the help of consistency and persistence. Actively catching yourself and correcting your ill ways plays a significant role in grasping control of the mind. 

Gaining control over your mind is the preceding step to understanding the power of the mind. After all, a powerful mind without direction can be like an untamed horse—wild and unproductive. Here are just a few ways you can actively practise inorder to grasp a bit of control over your mind. 

• Practicing mindfulness through Salah and Dua. 

Most people say they want to have a deeper, spiritual connection with Allah (SWT), but they don't really know how or it seems to be too far out of reach. They aim to incorporate more acts of worship in their lives but can't seem to be able to build any consistency. Especially with the busyness of the modern world, the constant hustle and bustle of life, all the noise, distractions and information overload. Our senses are constantly overstimulated. This leaves Salah and Dua to be the perfect activity to slow down, take a break and practice mindfulness. 

These moments of remembrance provide a much-needed respite from life's demands, fostering a deeper connection with our Creator. Not only does it calm you down, but it also helps you grow spiritually in exceptional ways. 

If we were to follow in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), it was observed that, even prior to his prophethood, there were times he was victim to extreme levels of stress caused by the constant idol worship and the immorality of the ones around him. As a result, he would retreat to Cave Hira to meditate and experience moments of clarity, silence, peace, and regulate his thoughts to maintain his mental wellbeing. 

Not only does an increase in the practice of Salah and Dua help grasp control over our minds but is also noted to be the perfect way for us to correct our actions and strengthen our Iman. To help you cultivate new habits for your mental betterment, DEENIN would love to offer The Ebadat Prayer Rug with Backrest, designed to offer essential back support to those seeking to sit comfortably and immerse themselves in deep connection with their Lord. Available in 3 vibrant colors, the Ebadat Prayer Rug with Backrest is made with extra foam padding to ensure maximum comfort during your prayers. To top it all off, its foldable and compact feature allows its storage process to be completely hassle-free making it a great addition to your homes.

• Redirecting your mind towards good

Being such a powerful organ, the brain has the incredible ability to focus on specific things. Formally called 'selective fixation' this concept applies to positive and negative thoughts as well. As you feed your brain positive thoughts, it automatically smothers negative triggers. As cliche as it sounds, positive thinking helps experience a plethora of benefits as it not only alleviates stress but also boosts the production of dopamine— a complex hormone and neurotransmitter that impacts our mood and well-being. To put it simply, positive thinking activates areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, attention allocation, emotional expression, language processing, and perception of oneself.

From an Islamic point of view, the Quran time and time again mentions that the thoughts are the power of the mind. And these thoughts influence our outlook on life. Hence, an optimistic view of the world helps better our well-being. In the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) mentions that contentment and feelings of peace are found in thoughts, specifically thoughts about Allah, 

“ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

"those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort" [13:28] 

In extension to this, there is a hadith of the Prophet (PBUH), reported by Abu Huraira, where he states,

“Allah Almighty says: I am as My servants expect of Me. If he thinks good of Me, he will have it. If he thinks evil of Me, he will have it.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 639]

If we are to combine these two sources, it can easily be interpreted that to experience ultimate peace of mind, we must implement an optimistic view of life and link positivity with the remembrance of Allah (SWT). 

• Seeking Knowledge 

One of the most effective ways of easily understanding and controlling the mind is simply by seeking knowledge. To be inquisitive and curious, to an extent, are both attributes of individuals with high intellect. 

The best example of promoting the act of seeking knowledge in Islam is the first revelation, the verses of Surah Al- Alaq, 

"Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen—taught humanity what they knew not." [96:1-5]

 The verses of this Surah effortlessly indicate the importance of reading, recording, and seeking knowledge. Constantly trying to enhance our intelligence aids in polishing our cognitive skills, helps us develop numerous survival skills, and comprehend complex situations with ease.