Philosophy | Islam | Technology
Nietzsche’s Self-Hypnosis vs. Today’s Tech-Hypnosis and the Islamic Solution.
How faith can guide us in the age of technology.
Technology has become our basic need.
Technology is everywhere. And it is not a bad thing. But there is a but!
The sound of alarms from our smartphones wake us up. We spend our days working on gadgets. Laptops, PCs, Tablets, Mobiles, Wearables, you name it. We “relax” by watching TV or scrolling through social media.
…We are addicted to technology.
This addiction is a bad thing.
Continuously checking our devices and the pressure to stay connected often overwhelm us.
Do you know where does that lead us to? Anxiety and stress...
A wise human takes action before such disasters happen to them.
Nietzsche and the concept of self-hypnosis.
Friedrich Nietzsche was a 19th-century philosopher. He explained self-hypnosis as a way humans fool themselves to get through life’s rough patches. We adopt illusions and false beliefs to dodge suffering..
To him, self-hypnosis was more than just a trick. He explained it as a defence mechanism. It helped us handle the chaos and the challenges life through at us.
Nietzsche also warned about the dangers of modernity. He feared we’d lose touch with our true selves. And we’d end up living in a world of illusions and deceive ourselves more and more.
Look around. Are we there yet???
Tech-hypnosis is the modern form of self-hypnosis.
This self-deception, today, is called tech-hypnosis. This term describes how technology mesmerises and controls us. Not so different from the traditional hypnosis.
It detaches us from reality. Makes us more vulnerable to distractions.
Are we not constantly glued to our devices? Addicted, I’d say.
Social media, Netflix, YouTube. Video games. Endless online content keeps us hooked for hours. It’s a modern trap. Pulling us further from our true selves.
We have become digital zombies.
The algorithms behind these platforms are designed to grab our attention. Keep us engaged for as long as possible. Know why? So someone else out there can get richer.
As I wrote above, this excessive tech usage leads to digital addiction. We start prioritising virtual interactions over real-life connections.
You must have seen it around you. Even at the dinner table, on the train, at work. In a park. Everywhere!
People start having mental health issues. Broken marriages. Kids not knowing their parents. Parents unaware of what their kids are up to. Friendships are not real.
We have lost our peace of mind.
People aren’t paying attention to the realities of life. Many turn a blind eye to their duties. Because we have found an easy escape in technology!
Tech-hypnosis pushes us towards spiritual and mental numbness.
Tech-hypnosis not only messes with our daily lives. It leads to spiritual and mental numbness.
We are so stuck in our devices that we neglect our mental and spiritual wellbeing.
A study published in 2023 found that too much screen time links to more anxiety, depression, and isolation (Smith et al., 2023).
No rocket science, right?
Often you’ll see kids as young as 10 thinking they aren’t good enough. They feel useless. Why? Because parents give them phones, tablets, iPads from a very young age. As young as when they’re just months old…
Our me-time, prayers, reflection, and connection with the higher power — the Creator, God, Allah — suffer.
People start looking for solutions everywhere.
Turn to Islam. You’ll be surprised how Islam offered solutions to such problems many centuries ago.
Islam warned us about intoxication 1414 years ago.
It spoke of dangers long before modern tech.
Islam guides us to live a balanced life.
Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (Quran 5:90)
This verse talks about alcohol. But it applies to anything that makes us lose control.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against anything that clouds judgment. Documented in Sahih Muslim:
“Every intoxicant is Khamr (alcohol) and all Khamr is Haram (forbidden).”
In this context, tech-hypnosis can be seen as a modern form of intoxication. It distracts us from our duties. Just like all intoxicants, it offers a temporary escape.
And Islam tells us it’s not worth it.
Quran tells us such joy is temporary and it’s all just an illusion.
Allah says in the Quran:
“The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.” (Quran 3:185)
This verse reminds us that the unnecessary pleasures we seek in this world, including those from technology, are temporary. They make us forget our ultimate purpose and the reality of the Hereafter.
Islam teaches us that true joy and peace come from fulfilling our duties to Allah and living a life of righteousness.
Another verse in Quran states:
“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children — like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Quran 57:20)
Islam offers solutions to counter this modern hypnosis.
Emphasises self-control, mindfulness, and conscious living.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, as documented in Sahih Bukhari:
“The strong one is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger”
True strength is in self-control. Be mindful of your actions and intentions. You need to be self-aware. And then have the intention to break free from tech-hypnosis.
Regular prayer (Salah) is key. That keeps your connection with Allah strong.
In Quran 29:45, Allah says:
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do”
Prayer keeps us grounded and connected to Allah. Helps us stay focused on what matters.
Have a balanced approach.
In Quran 2:143, Allah tells us:
“And thus We have made you a median [i.e., just, middle] community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.”
In Quran 7:31, Allah guides us and tells us not be excessive and practice moderation.
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.”
Stay grounded in faith. Use technology wisely and avoid becoming enslaved by tech.
Nietzsche’s self-hypnosis and modern tech-hypnosis show our struggle for control. Moderation is the answer.
Remember the wisdom of the Quran and Hadith. Harness tech benefits while safeguarding mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
May Allah/God be with you. Amen.
