In an era dominated by digital connectivity, people constantly share the highlights of their daily lives. A new career milestone, the birth of a child, a picturesque vacation, or the purchase of a new car frequently fills newsfeeds across various social media platforms. While these moments are often accompanied by expressions of gratitude and joy, such as saying mashaAllah, they can inadvertently trigger complex emotional responses among those viewing them. Rather than fostering a sense of shared happiness, the constant display of idealized lives can lead individuals to feel a growing sense of dissatisfaction with their own personal circumstances.
Addressing this modern psychological and spiritual challenge, speaker Lobna Mulla explored the illusion of perfection presented online during her presentation titled "Not Everything that Shines is Gold," delivered at MASCON2017. Her talk delves into the intersection of modern digital habits and traditional spiritual wisdom, offering a reflective look at how constant exposure to curated online personas impacts personal contentment.
The discussion does not advocate for a complete abandonment of digital platforms or social media networks. These tools remain valuable and effective means for maintaining relationships with friends, family, and loved ones, particularly across geographical distances. Instead, the core issue centers on personal perspective and emotional resilience—specifically, how individuals can navigate digital spaces without falling into the trap of constant comparison. The challenge lies in finding a balance that allows users to stay connected while preserving their inner peace, emotional well-being, and genuine appreciation for their own lives.
Shifting the Perspective: Looking Toward Hardship
To combat feelings of inadequacy and discontentment, traditional Islamic teachings found in the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offer a grounding framework. According to established prophetic traditions, individuals are advised to look toward those who have been given less in worldly matters, rather than upward toward those who possess more wealth, status, or luxury. This prophetic guidance serves as a psychological and spiritual reset, designed to reorient human focus away from material envy and toward profound gratitude.
A practical application of this principle involves actively engaging with and supporting members of the community who are enduring difficult trials and hardships. Whether visiting someone who is sick, comforting the distressed, or spending time with individuals facing severe life challenges, these interactions provide a powerful reality check. Witnessing the resilience of others enduring genuine hardship naturally transforms one’s outlook. For instance, spending an afternoon visiting a patient dealing with a serious illness often leaves the visitor with a renewed and deeply felt appreciation for their own health, mobility, and daily comforts—blessings that are frequently overlooked during routine daily life.
Trusting in Allah’s Provisions
At the heart of this perspective is a steadfast reliance on the concept that the Creator is Ar-Razzaq, the All-Provider. When individuals actively step outside their comfort zones and spend time with those who are less fortunate, they are more likely to recognize, value, and give thanks for the diverse provisions bestowed upon them by Allah. This active engagement stands in stark contrast to the passive consumption of digital content, which often encourages an inward-focused mindset centered on lack and comparison.
Many digital media users are familiar with the sinking feeling that occurs after prolonged scrolling through social media newsfeeds. Stepping away from a screen often leaves individuals feeling as though they are not attractive enough, successful enough, intelligent enough, or fortunate enough when measured against the curated standards displayed online. This pervasive mindset fails to honor the daily abundance of goodness and subtle blessings that individuals experience in their everyday lives, overshadowing genuine achievements and stable living conditions with a manufactured sense of inferiority.
During her address at MASCON2017, Sister Lobna Mulla reminded audiences that appearances can be profoundly deceiving, emphasizing that not everything that shines is genuinely valuable gold. Her concise yet impactful talk serves as a timely reminder for individuals seeking emotional and spiritual equilibrium in a hyper-connected world. By reframing how they consume media, prioritizing real-world empathy over digital envy, and grounding themselves in traditional teachings of gratitude, viewers are encouraged to leave the discussion feeling uplifted, reflective, and spiritually renewed, inshaAllah.