Living mindfully in a hyper-connected world
In a world flooded by constant notifications, immense scrolls, and always-on devices, many of us are experiencing digital fatigue. Our screens promise convenience, connection, and entertainment—but often deliver distraction, anxiety, and spiritual disconnection. For Muslims, this challenge is not just about productivity or well-being, but about the heart: How can we live with taqwā (تقوى) in a world that never pauses?
Enter digital minimalism—the intentional use of technology that aligns with your values and serves your higher purpose. When grounded in Islamic principles, this modern philosophy becomes more than a lifestyle trend—it becomes an act of worship.
1. The Heart and the Gaze
Islam teaches us that the heart is the center of spiritual life. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَلَا وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً، إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، أَلَا وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ
Alā wainna fī al-jasadi muḋghah, idhā ṡalaḣat ṡalaḣa l-jasadu kulluh, waidhā fasadat fasada l-jasadu kulluh, alā wahiya al-qalb.
It means:
«Truly, there is a piece of flesh in the body: if it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.» [Ṡaḣīḣ (صَحِيح) al-Bukhāriyy (الْبُخَارِيّ) (ḣadīth (حَدِيث) no. 52) and Ṡaḣīḣ (صَحِيح) Muslim (مُسْلِم)]
What we consume digitally enters the heart through the eyes and ears. Protecting the gaze isn’t limited to modesty—it also means avoiding useless, excessive, or harmful content. Ask yourself before scrolling: Will this bring me acceptance of Allāh (اللَّه) or further away?
2. Time Is a Divine Trust
In Islam, time is sacred. The Prophet ﷺ warned:
لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ: عَنْ عُمُرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ فِيمَا فَعَلَ، وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ، وَعَنْ جِسْمِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلَاهُ
Lā tazūlu qadamā ʿabdin yawma al-qiyāmah ḣattā yusʾala ʿan arbaʿ: ʿan ʿumurihi fīmā afnāh, waʿan ʿilmihi fīmā faʿal, waʿan mālihi min ayna iktasabahu wafīmā anfaqah, waʿan jismihi fīmā ablāh.
It means:
«The feet of the servant will not move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about four things: his life and how he spent it, his knowledge and how he acted upon it, his wealth—how he earned it and how he spent it, and his body—how he used it.»
[Reported by at-Tirmidhiyy (التِّرْمِذِيّ) (2417).]
Mindless browsing often steals hours. A digital minimalist approach—setting limits, turning off notifications, or scheduling screen-free time—helps us reclaim those lost hours for prayer, family, study, or reflection.
3. Simplicity Is Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ lived a life of simplicity and purpose. He did not hoard possessions or chase distractions. Likewise, we should not allow our digital devices to clutter our minds or delay our duties. You don’t need every app, every platform, or every trending video. Choose tech tools that serve your religion—not ones that steal from it.
4. Curate Your Online Environment
Follow accounts that remind you of Allāh (اللَّه). Unfollow those that stir envy, heedlessness, or argumentation. Your digital world should be an extension of your spiritual goals, not an escape from them. Even a few small changes—like replacing background music with Qurʾān (قُرْءَان) recitation—can reorient your heart.
5. Set Boundaries, Not Just Goals
Discipline begins with boundaries:
- No phones during meals.
- A screen-free hour before sleep.
- Jumʿah (جُمْعَة) and prayer times without distractions.
- Dedicated Qurʾān (قُرْءَان) time without pop-ups.
These are small acts of withdrawal from a noisy world—but they create space for presence, remembrance, and intentional living.
Closing Reflection
Digital minimalism inspired by Islam is not about rejecting technology, but about mastering it—using it as a tool, not a master. When we reduce digital clutter, we make room for clarity. When we remove distraction, we return to dhikr (ذكر). And when we disconnect from the world’s noise, we remembrance Allāh (اللَّه).
﴿أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ ﴾
Alā bidhikri-llāhi taṫmaʾinnu l-qulūb.
{Indeed, in the remembrance of Allāh (اللَّه) do hearts find rest.} [Sūrah (سُورَة) Ar-Raʿd () āyah (آيَة) 28]
May our screens reflect light, not take it from us. Āmīn.
