Unmodern Aspects of Islam (43): Noise Everywhere

 

The average person checks their phone over 300 times a day. But here’s the question: if our attention is constantly hijacked, what’s left for reflection, prayer, or even a calm conversation?

This is the crisis of distractions—not loud music or crowded places, but the constant pull of alerts, pings, and endless multitasking. Our minds are scattered, our hearts restless, and even in salah, we struggle to stay present.

Islam calls us to khushu‘—deep focus and humility before Allah. The Qur’an praises: “Certainly will the believers have succeeded: they who are during their prayer humbly submissive.” (23:1–2). True focus is not just silence around us, but stillness within us.

The Prophet ﷺ guided his companions to prepare for prayer by setting aside worldly concerns, teaching that real presence before Allah is a shield for the heart. They learned to live with intentionality, not constant interruption.

Endless distractions fragment us. Khushu‘ restores us. And when the heart is gathered, even fleeting moments with Allah outweigh hours lost to notifications.

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