Ibn Taymiyyah and Yasmin Mogahed diagnose the modern heart numbed by desires, hardened by doubts, and lost in a world that prizes pleasure over purpose
By Fida Hussain Bhat
In an age where the pursuit of personal satisfaction has become the ultimate goal, many thinkers and spiritual voices are raising alarms about the consequences of such a worldview. Among them, Yasmin Mogahed, a prominent Muslim author and speaker, has been particularly vocal in her critique of what she terms the “YOLO culture”—a mindset rooted in the belief that “you only live once”, and therefore, one must extract maximum pleasure from life, regardless of the moral or spiritual cost.
According to Mogahed, this culture, often celebrated in modern secular and atheistic societies, promotes a dangerous ideology: that any means are justified if they lead to personal gratification. In this worldview, the sacred is sacrificed at the altar of self-indulgence. Religion, faith, and moral boundaries are seen as obstacles to be overcome rather than values to be cherished. The result, she warns, is a spiritual vacuum—an inner desolation that manifests as emotional numbness, selfishness, and a hardened heart.
This spiritual degeneration is not merely a metaphor. It is, as classical Islamic scholars have long argued, a real and diagnosable condition. One of the most profound articulations of this idea comes from the 13th-century scholar Ibn Taymiyyah in his treatise The Diseases of the Heart and Their Cures. In this seminal work, Ibn Taymiyyah identifies two primary ailments that afflict the human heart: shubuhāt (doubts) and shahawāt (desires).
The first disease, shubuhāt, arises from a lack of sound knowledge. When individuals are deprived of a deep understanding of God, the self, the universe, and the moral framework that binds them, they become vulnerable to confusion and scepticism. Doubts creep in, not because of intellectual rigour, but due to ignorance and detachment from divine guidance. This epistemological crisis leads to a weakening of faith, as the heart no longer finds certainty in its beliefs.
Ibn Taymiyyah argues that the remedy for this disease is the acquisition of true knowledge—ma‘rifah. This is not merely academic information, but a transformative understanding that connects the heart to its Creator. When one gains clarity about the purpose of life, the nature of the soul, and the reality of the afterlife, doubts dissolve, and faith is restored. In this sense, knowledge is not just power—it is healing.
The second disease, shahawāt, is more insidious. It stems from an excessive attachment to worldly pleasures and material possessions. The glitter and glamour of the world—its wealth, status, and sensual delights—can intoxicate the soul. When the heart becomes enamoured with the ephemeral, it loses sight of the eternal. Desires begin to govern behaviour, leading individuals to compromise their values, neglect their spiritual duties, and prioritise the self over the sacred.
This condition is exacerbated by the modern culture of consumerism and spectacle. Social media, advertising, and entertainment industries constantly bombard us with images of luxury, success, and beauty, creating unrealistic standards and insatiable cravings. In such an environment, it becomes easy to forget that true contentment lies not in accumulation, but in detachment.
The cure for shahawāt, according to Ibn Taymiyyah, is spiritual discipline. This involves cultivating restraint, practising gratitude, and remembering the transient nature of worldly life. By consciously turning away from the pomp and pageantry of the world, the heart regains its balance. It no longer chases fleeting pleasures but finds peace in simplicity, service, and submission to God.
Yasmin Mogahed echoes this wisdom in her contemporary reflections. She observes that the modern individual, in the mad race for success and satisfaction, often loses the ability to feel—let alone show—kindness, empathy, or compassion. The heart, once a vessel of divine light, becomes hardened and desensitised. Relationships suffer, communities fragment, and society becomes a battleground of egos.
Yet, both Mogahed and Ibn Taymiyyah offer hope. The heart, no matter how diseased, is not beyond repair. With sincere effort, guided knowledge, and spiritual practice, it can be revived. It can once again become a source of love, wisdom, and tranquillity.
In a world that glorifies speed, excess, and self-centeredness, this message is both countercultural and deeply necessary. It reminds us that the true measure of a life well-lived is not how much we have consumed, but how much we have cultivated within. It challenges us to pause, reflect, and ask: What is the state of my heart? What am I truly living for?
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the insights of thinkers like Yasmin Mogahed and scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah serve as spiritual compasses. They call us back to the essence of our humanity—to a life rooted in faith, guided by knowledge, and elevated by restraint. In doing so, they offer not just critique, but a path to healing—a way to reclaim the heart in an age that has all but forgotten it.
The writer is a columnist
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