Unmodern Aspects of Islam (4): Lonely Crowds

 

Have you noticed how crowded the world feels today—yet how lonely so many people are?
Millions of “friends” online. Thousands of followers. Notifications every minute.
And still, silence when you need someone to talk to.

It’s the paradox of our age: surrounded by people, yet starved of real companionship.
We’ve traded handshakes for likes, visits for video calls, and conversations for emojis.
But hearts cannot survive on pixels.

The Prophet ﷺ showed us another way.
He said: “The rights of a Muslim upon another are six.” Among them: “If he invites you, respond; if he falls ill, visit him.” (Sahih Muslim, 2162)
Real friendship meant showing up—not just sending a message.

Look at the early Muslims.
They built bonds that lasted lifetimes. They visited one another, shared meals, prayed side by side, and wept together in times of hardship.
That’s why their communities were strong. Faith was personal—but it was never isolated.

So what about us today?
When was the last time you visited a friend without a reason? Or checked on a neighbor, not through a screen, but in person?
Try it this week. Knock on a door. Share a coffee. Sit and listen.
One small visit can heal a heart more than a hundred online posts.

Lonely crowds are everywhere.
But true companionship—that’s the Sunnah.
And it’s still waiting for us to revive it.