Unmodern Aspects of Islam (24): Emotions as Truth

 

Did you know that surveys show more and more people today say: “If it feels right, it must be right”? Feelings have become the new compass—if I desire it, it’s truth; if I dislike it, it must be false.

But emotions are like waves: strong, shifting, and often misleading. Anger makes us regret words, desire blinds us to consequences, fear paralyzes us from doing good. When we make feelings our god, we end up lost at sea.

Allah warns us: “Have you seen the one who takes his desires as his god?” (Qur’an 45:23)
And the Prophet ﷺ said: “None of you truly believes until his desires follow what I have brought.” (al-Nawawī, al-Arbaʿīn, 41)

The early Muslims felt emotions as deeply as we do—joy, fear, grief—but they didn’t let feelings dictate truth. They measured their emotions against revelation and reason, aligning the heart with guidance, not impulses. That’s why they were anchored in storms.

What about us? Instead of asking, “How do I feel about this?” let’s first ask, “What does Allah say about this?” Feelings can guide us closer to truth—if they’re disciplined by revelation.

Because emotions are powerful passengers, but they make a terrible driver.

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