Wael Ibrahim – Will Addiction Ever Rule the World

Warning this video may change how you view

addiction forever.

We're about to explore a very controversial question.

Will addiction ever rule the world?

The answer might surprise you, especially when we

consider the full spectrum of addiction in our

modern time.

Today we are diving very deep into the

world of addiction, a topic that affects millions

globally regardless of their faith, backgrounds or cultures.

I'm your brother Wael Ibrahim and in the

next few minutes inshallah we're going to explore

addiction through the islamic lenses while uncovering scientific

research that impacts all of us.

We will cover not just substance addiction but

also the growing concern of behavioral addictions in

our digital age.

So let me throw at you some statistics

here.

Studies have shown that addiction with its various

forms affects 21 percent of adults worldwide and

that includes not only substance addictions but also

behavioral addictions like gaming, gambling, social media and

of course *.

Now islam, our beautiful religion, recognizes the destructive

nature of all sorts of addictions, viewing it

not just as an individual failing but rather

as a societal issue.

That's why Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala when

he addressed addiction in the quran he talked

to all the believers.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala mentioned O

you who believe, all of you, most certainly

intoxicants, anything that clouds the brain, anything that

controls the mind and that's why one of

the main objective of sharia, why the religion

of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala was revealed

to us is to protect our mind because

that's the one thing that differentiate between yourself

as a human being with intellect and animals.

So Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is telling

us anything that intoxicates the brain or get

control of your very mind as well as

gambling, fortune telling and so on, all of

that are satan handy work.

So abstain from such handy work so that

you may prosper and become successful and subhanallah

this holistic approach of the quran aligns with

today's modern discoveries and scientific research which considers

biological, psychological and social factors as contributors or

main contributors for addictive behaviors today.

But anyway if you are still confused as

regards to what type of addictions am i

referring to here is a breakdown for all

of you for your reference inshallah.

We have as we mentioned earlier substance addictions

and underneath can go alcohol, drugs, whether illegal

drugs or prescribed ones and of course the

most common ones like nicotine, weed and so

on so forth.

Then we have behavioral addictions and comes on

the top *, super prevalent among youngsters and

older generations as well.

Then we have gambling, gaming, social media, online

shopping and even food and eating disorders.

While all of the above my brothers, my

sisters in islam and everyone may seem so

different from one another, all of them share

very common neurological pathways in our brain.

They all with no exception activates the reward

circuit in our brain by releasing certain chemicals

like dopamine which get in control of our

very actions.

So here's a question for all of us

to reflect on inshallah.

Why addictions seem to be like gaining ground

in our life and here are a few

reasons for you inshallah.

Number one the power of technology.

Smartphones and constant internet access have made potentially

addictive behaviors more accessible than ever from social

media to online gambling to hardcore * websites.

The temptation is just one click away.

Number two evolving substance availability.

Beyond traditional drugs we're seeing nowadays new challenges

like e-cigarettes, vaping and even designer drugs.

Number three societal stress and disconnection.

The rising of stress level and social isolation

have created a fertile ground for all sort

of addictive behaviors as people may seek escape

or quick relief through these temporary pleasures.

Now how our beautiful religion islam have offered

a unique perspective on combating addiction which could

be suitable for everyone not necessarily muslims.

Number one for example community support.

The concept of one ummah provides a built

-in support system where everyone is interested about

the growth and goodness of everyone.

Number two what is known to so many

people mindfulness which in islam alhamdulillah it can

be actualized through prayers, dua, supplications, adhkar to

constantly remember Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

And number three purpose and meaning.

We as muslims alhamdulillah we were created for

a higher purpose than just amusing ourselves on

the internet or becoming addicted to anything or

enslaving ourselves to anything.

Islam emphasizes on the life's greater purpose for

which Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala have created

us for and that is to worship Allah

subhanahu wa ta'ala and to please him

as much as we can.

So let's now address the big question.

Will addiction ever rule the world?

The short answer my brothers my sisters in

islam and everyone is yes and no.

No if we could only take the following

actions seriously inshallah.

Number one educate yourself.

The more you know the more you grow.

Educate yourselves and others on the harms and

the risks of both substance and behavioral addictions.

Number two foster a genuine connection with the

community.

Don't ever be alone.

Don't ever isolate yourself.

In other words avoid being lonely at all

costs.

Be an active member of the community to

be able to combat addictive behaviors and number

three love Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and

his messenger more than anything in this dunya

and that will help you avoid this instant

gratification that you sometimes gain through your addictive

behavior.

See my brothers and sisters in islam the

power to prevent addiction from ruling the world

lies within each of us whether you're a

muslim christian an atheist or even anything in

between.

Addiction does not really discriminate against anyone.

We're all in this together so unless you

take the necessary action that you know will

bring about goodness in your life and prevent

you from falling again and again to your

addictive cycle there's nothing gonna be resolved and

in that case addiction will definitely rule the

world and will enslave you to your desires

instead of enslaving you to Allah subhanahu wa

ta'ala because at the end of the

day this is why we were created to

enslave ourselves to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

We have not Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala

said I have not created jinn nor mankind

except to worship me to enslave themselves to

me to obey me that's why you're here

you're not born to do * may Allah

subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us all so

my brothers my sisters in islam if you

found that this video is beneficial and can

help someone out there in this dunya then

please share it with your circle don't be

shy don't think that because you're gonna share

that video people will think that you're addicted

or something like that but rather wallahi that

share button could become your savior on the

day of judgment if someone came across that

video because of you and as a result

they freed themselves from the shackle of their

addictions so be a reason for others to

be freed inshallah remember every small action counts

so jazakumullahu khairan for watching and if you

are someone who's struggling with this compulsive behavior

to anything whether substance or behaviors then i

would recommend you to seek a professional help

may Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala protect us

all jazakumullahu khairan until next video assalamualaikum warahmatullahi

wabarakatuh