7 Unnecessary Things to Stop Concerned About Today to Beautify Your Faith in Islam

Let Go of These 7 Distractions to Strengthen Your Faith and Spirituality

The pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life is a goal shared by all believers, yet often, we become distracted by things that do not serve our higher purpose. The Prophet ﷺ, in his timeless wisdom, reminded us of the importance of focusing on what truly matters. He said in a profound Hadith:

As Muslims, we are blessed with time, but how often do we waste it on things that add no value to our lives? Time is the most precious commodity we have in this world. Once it passes, we can never get it back. And yet, we frequently squander it on pursuits that do not enhance our faith or improve our lives.

In this post, we will reflect on seven things that we must consciously stop concerning ourselves with, as they hinder our spiritual growth and beautify our faith by allowing us to focus on what truly matters.

1. Other People’s Highlight Reels

In today’s world, social media has turned the lives of others into a constant stream of “highlight reels.” We are bombarded with carefully curated images and posts that give the illusion of a perfect life. Whether it’s the latest vacation, the seemingly perfect family, or the extravagant lifestyle, these portrayals can lead to feelings of envy, comparison, and self-doubt.

However, the Prophet ﷺ taught us not to concern ourselves with what others are doing, especially if it does not affect us directly. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:

“And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others.” (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, 4:32)

Constantly comparing ourselves to others only leads to dissatisfaction and distracts us from our own blessings. Instead, we should focus on our own journey—our worship, our family, and our efforts to better ourselves. By doing so, we stop living in the shadows of others and begin to appreciate the unique life Allah has granted us.

2. Your Own Past Paralyzing You

The past is a powerful force. It can shape our present, dictate our mood, and even influence our future. However, constantly dwelling on past mistakes, regrets, or missed opportunities is a form of spiritual paralysis. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to let go of the past and focus on the present and future. Allah ﷻ is the Most Merciful, and He forgives those who turn to Him in repentance:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own hands, do not despair of Allah's mercy. Allah forgives all sins; He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Quran, Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)

If we constantly live in the past, we prevent ourselves from moving forward and achieving what Allah has destined for us. Whether it’s past failures, lost opportunities, or moments of regret, these should not hold us back. What matters is the present moment—what we are doing right now to strengthen our relationship with Allah.

3. Someone Else’s Private Life and Sins

It’s natural to be curious about the lives of others, but Islam teaches us to avoid prying into the private affairs of others. The Prophet ﷺ warned against this tendency, as it can lead to suspicion, backbiting, and a lack of mercy for others. Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:

“And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.” (Quran, Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12)

Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we should direct our attention to our own actions and strive to improve ourselves. Every person is responsible for their own deeds, and we should focus on helping those in need without passing judgment or uncovering their private matters. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The one who covers the faults of others, Allah will cover his faults on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim)

This is a reminder to focus on our own shortcomings and leave the judgment of others to Allah.

4. Other People’s Opinions About You

One of the most damaging distractions we can have is worrying about what others think of us. While it is natural to desire the approval of others, our primary concern should be the approval of Allah ﷻ. Allah ﷻ tells us in the Qur’an:

“Say, ‘Allah is more knowing of how long they tarried. To Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How clear of sight is He and keen in hearing! They have no protector against Him.’” (Quran, Surah Al-Furqan, 25:59)

Instead of obsessing over the opinions of people, we should focus on what pleases Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the cost of displeasing the people, Allah will be pleased with him and cause the people to be pleased with him.” (Tirmidhi)

When we focus on pleasing Allah, our hearts will find peace, and we will be free from the anxiety of constantly seeking validation from others.

5. Mindless Habits

We all have habits—some good, some bad. However, many of us engage in mindless, time-wasting activities that have no benefit. These might include endless scrolling on social media, binge-watching TV shows, or indulging in activities that distract us from our purpose in life. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to be mindful of our time and to use it wisely:

“There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time.” (Sahih Bukhari)

We should strive to replace mindless habits with activities that enrich our faith and benefit our lives, such as reading the Qur’an, engaging in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), helping others, or learning something new. By consciously choosing how we spend our time, we align ourselves with the values of Islam and ensure that our days are spent in a way that benefits both our Deen and Dunya.

6. Celeb News and Gossip

The world of celebrity gossip and entertainment is a distracting and often toxic space. Islam teaches us to avoid gossip, slander, and indulging in trivial matters. The Prophet ﷺ cautioned us against wasting time in discussions that have no benefit:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Celebrities and their lives do not add value to our own spiritual journey. Instead of following the lives of others, we should focus on following the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and seek knowledge that helps us grow closer to Allah.

7. What You Can’t Control

Finally, one of the biggest sources of anxiety and frustration comes from worrying about things beyond our control. Whether it’s the actions of others, the state of the world, or future events, many of these things lie outside our influence. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to trust in Allah’s plan:

“And Allah has power over all things.” (Quran, Surah Al-Imran, 3:189)

Worrying about the uncontrollable only takes us away from the present moment and prevents us from being grateful for what we have. Instead of worrying about the future or what others might do, we should focus on our own actions, knowing that Allah is in control of everything.

Conclusion: Focusing on What Truly Matters

In the light of the Prophet ﷺ’s teachings, we are reminded to be mindful of how we spend our time and energy. We must stop concerning ourselves with matters that do not benefit our faith or our well-being. By doing so, we free ourselves from unnecessary distractions and focus on the things that truly matter—our relationship with Allah, our families, and our personal growth.

Let us strive to leave behind what does not concern us, beautifying our faith and becoming the best versions of ourselves in the process. May Allah guide us to utilize our time wisely and help us grow closer to Him. Ameen.