Unmodern Aspects of Islam (23): Toxic Positivity

 

Did you know that psychologists now warn against “toxic positivity”—the pressure to “stay happy” and “look fine” even when you’re breaking inside? Smiles on the outside, storms on the inside.

Modern culture tells us: “Don’t be sad, just be positive.” But denying pain doesn’t heal it—it buries it. And buried pain eventually poisons the heart.

Islam doesn’t demand fake smiles. It teaches something deeper: sabr (patience) in hardship, and shukr (gratitude) in blessings. The Prophet ﷺ said: “How amazing is the affair of the believer! Verily, all of his affair is good… If something good happens, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If hardship befalls him, he is patient, and that is good for him.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2999)

The early Muslims wept when they were tested, they prayed through their pain, and they spoke honestly about their struggles. Yet, through sabr and shukr, their hearts remained strong. They didn’t cover wounds with empty smiles—they healed them with faith.

What about us? Instead of forcing fake cheer, let’s allow ourselves to feel, to pray, and to turn back to Allah. Real strength isn’t pretending everything is fine—it’s trusting that with Allah, everything will be okay.

Because true peace doesn’t come from positivity. It comes from patience and gratitude.

In a modern world, the Sunnah is our way back to what truly matters.