Bismillah! Let’s start with a question: How many times have you stared at your cracked iPhone screen and spiraled into a full-blown existential crisis? Or when you’re coding, and one pesky bug sends you on a journey of questioning your entire career path? Been there, done that. But guess what? You’re not alone. Even 1400+ years ago, overthinking was a thing , and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had some wise words about it.
Now, before you roll your eyes and say, “Okay, but what does this have to do with my TikTok getting shadowbanned?” stick with me. Let’s break it down and see how we can apply the timeless wisdom of the Prophet (PBUH) to the daily tech headaches that make us want to throw our devices out the window. Spoiler: No window-throwing necessary.
Overthinking: The OG Problem
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) didn’t have to deal with laggy Wi-Fi or disappearing Snap streaks, but he definitely understood the human tendency to overthink. One of his most profound pieces of advice on this topic is found in a hadith:
“If something befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather, say, ‘Qadr Allah wa ma sha’a fa’al’ (It is the decree of Allah, and He does whatever He wills). For verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the door to Shaytan.” (Sahih Muslim)
Translation? Obsessing over “what ifs” or “I should’ve done it differently” is Shaytan’s ultimate trick to make you lose your peace. And let’s be real, isn’t that exactly what happens when you overthink why your gaming laptop suddenly turned into a toaster? It’s time to take this wisdom and apply it to our tech woes.
1. The Case of the Dead Laptop
You’re working on an assignment due in, oh, 15 minutes, and suddenly , BOOM , your laptop dies. Cue panic.
Instead of spiraling, channel that “Qadr Allah” mindset. Tell yourself, “Okay, this happened for a reason.” Maybe Allah is testing your patience, or maybe it’s a reminder to save your work (ahem auto-save is a blessing, people). Either way, you’re not going to solve the problem by losing your cool.
Action Tip: Breathe. Literally, stop and breathe. The Prophet (PBUH) recommended saying, “Bismillah,” before taking action. Then, troubleshoot logically. Check the battery, try restarting, or switch to another device. Calm vibes > chaotic vibes.
2. The Infamous Group Chat Drama
You sent a meme to your friend group chat, and crickets. No one reacts. Not even a pity “LOL.” Naturally, you start overthinking. “Do they secretly hate me? Was the meme that bad?”
Hold up! The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized thinking well of others. He said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales” (Sahih Bukhari). Maybe your friends are busy. Maybe they didn’t even see it. Don’t let Shaytan convince you otherwise.
Action Tip: Resist the urge to send a follow-up message like, “So no one found that funny?” Focus on your intention (making your friends laugh) and let it go.
3. The “Wi-Fi Is Down” Meltdown
When your Wi-Fi drops during a Netflix binge or while gaming, it feels like the world is ending. But ask yourself: Will panicking fix it? No. Would the Prophet (PBUH) approve of a Wi-Fi tantrum? Also no.
The Prophet (PBUH) advised, “The strong one is not the one who can wrestle, but the one who controls himself when angry” (Sahih Bukhari). So, let’s flex that emotional strength, shall we?
Action Tip: Instead of rage-refreshing the router, try some dhikr. Say “SubhanAllah” or “Alhamdulillah” while you wait. Bonus: It’ll make you feel calmer AND you’ll earn reward points. Double win!
4. The “I Broke It” Freakout
You dropped your phone, and now the screen looks like abstract art. Or maybe you accidentally deleted all your photos. Instantly, your brain goes: “Why am I like this? How could I be so careless?!”
Stop. Remember, the Prophet (PBUH) taught us not to dwell on past mistakes. Instead, focus on solutions. He said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately…and do not wish for death (out of despair) because of what befalls you” (Sahih Bukhari). Basically, mistakes happen. Move forward.
Action Tip: Get proactive. Look for a repair shop, check your backups, or ask for help. Mistakes are just a detour, not the end of the road.
5. The Eternal Social Media Spiral
Lastly, let’s talk about doomscrolling and overthinking every post. “Why didn’t they like my picture? Should I archive it? Did I use the wrong filter?”
The Prophet (PBUH) reminded us about our priorities: “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). Translation? Let go of the unnecessary noise. Not everything needs your energy.
Action Tip: Set a timer for your apps. When the timer’s up, log off guilt-free. Instead of obsessing over likes, invest in what truly matters , like your relationship with Allah and actual real-life friends.
In Conclusion: Overthinking? Nah, We’re Over It!
Life is too short to waste on overthinking , whether it’s about a dead laptop or a laggy Zoom call. By embracing the wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we can learn to handle life’s curveballs (tech-related or otherwise) with grace, patience, and a dash of humor.
So next time you’re tempted to spiral, remember: “Qadr Allah wa ma sha’a fa’al.” And hey, maybe take it as a sign to unplug and reconnect with what truly matters. Like, I don’t know, praying Asr on time? Just saying.