In the digital age, obsession has taken new forms. Whether it's an unhealthy attachment to a person, an addiction to social media validation, or an overwhelming desire for material success, many people find themselves consumed by thoughts and emotions they can’t control.
Love can turn into dependency, admiration can become obsession, and passion can morph into addiction. This isn’t just an emotional struggle—it’s a spiritual crisis.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, in his Majmoo' al-Fatawa (p. 136), offers a timeless cure for obsession. He explains that unhealthy attachments arise from a deficiency in one's love for Allah ﷻ and that the solution lies in restoring sincerity in our hearts.
If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in obsessive thoughts about a person, success, or even social media recognition, this article will guide you toward freedom.
Why Do We Become Obsessed?
- Ibn Taymiyyah states:
مَنْ أَحَبَّ شَيْئًا غَيْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ يُعَذَّبُ بِهِ
"Whoever loves something other than Allah, he will be tormented by it."
This statement explains a deep psychological truth. If your happiness depends on someone’s attention, a certain lifestyle, or external validation, you will constantly suffer. The moment that person disappoints you or that goal becomes unreachable, your world crumbles.
Many people today fall into obsession because they seek fulfillment in temporary things—relationships, social status, fame, or material wealth—rather than in their connection with Allah ﷻ.
The Root of the Problem: Disconnected Hearts
- Ibn Taymiyyah continues:
فَإِذَا تَمَّ حُبُّهُ لِلَّهِ وَتَوَكُّلُهُ عَلَيْهِ وَإِخْلَاصُهُ لَهُ لَمْ يُبْتَلَ بِعِشْقِ غَيْرِهِ
"If a person completes his love for Allah, his reliance upon Him, and his sincerity to Him, he will not be afflicted with the obsession of anything else."
The modern world encourages dependency on everything except Allah. From childhood, we are taught that happiness comes from relationships, career success, or social approval. When these things inevitably let us down, we feel lost and desperate.
Social media has made this worse. People measure their worth by likes, comments, and follows. They crave recognition, often obsessing over how they are perceived online. Relationships, too, have become fragile, with individuals attaching their entire sense of self to another person, expecting them to provide constant emotional validation.
The truth is, nothing in this world can fulfill the human heart except the love of Allah ﷻ.
Obsession vs. True Love: Lessons from Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام)
Ibn Taymiyyah contrasts two people: Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام) and the wife of Al-‘Aziz.
- Allah describes Yusuf (عليه السلام) as:
إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ
"Indeed, he was one of Our chosen (sincere) slaves." (Surah Yusuf 12:24)
His heart was devoted to Allah alone. As a result, he was not tested with an unhealthy attachment to anything in this world. He remained steadfast, even in the face of temptation.
By contrast, the wife of Al-‘Aziz fell into a destructive obsession. Ibn Taymiyyah explains:
وَلِذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ امْرَأَةَ الْعَزِيزِ لَمْ تَكُنْ مُخْلِصَةً
"And because of that, the wife of Al-‘Aziz was not sincere."
She placed her love and desires above her connection with Allah, leading to humiliation and suffering. Her attachment became an obsession, and it consumed her.
This is the same pattern we see today. When someone’s love for a person, a career, or an online image overtakes their love for Allah, they set themselves up for heartbreak and self-destruction.
How to Free Yourself from Obsession
Ibn Taymiyyah identifies two powerful tools that prevent a person from falling into obsession:
1. Love of Allah That Fills the Heart
When your heart is filled with the sweetness of loving Allah, there is no space for unhealthy attachments. Ibn Taymiyyah explains:
فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَلَذُّ وَأَطْيَبُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَلَا تَبْقَى مَعَ مَحَبَّةِ اللَّهِ مَحَبَّةُ مَخْلُوقٍ تُزَاحِمُهُ
"For indeed, that (love of Allah) is sweeter and more pleasurable than anything else, so no love for creation can compete with it."
This doesn’t mean you can’t love people or enjoy life’s blessings. It means your core happiness is not dependent on them. You recognize that everything in this world is temporary, and your ultimate love is for the One who never changes—Allah ﷻ.
2. Fear of Allah That Keeps You Grounded
The second shield against obsession is fear of Allah. Ibn Taymiyyah states:
فَإِنَّ الْخَوْفَ مُضَادٌّ لِلْعِشْقِ
"For indeed, fear is the opposite of obsession."
A person who fears Allah won’t allow their heart to become enslaved by worldly attachments. This fear acts as a protective barrier, reminding them to maintain balance and avoid destructive emotional entanglements.
Practical Steps to Overcome Modern-Day Obsession
If you feel trapped in an unhealthy attachment—whether to a person, social media, or material success—these steps can help:
- Strengthen Your Relationship with Allah – Increase acts of worship, such as prayer, dhikr, and Qur’an recitation, to nurture a deep love for Allah.
- Detach from the Source of Obsession – Take a step back from whatever is consuming your heart. Limit time on social media, distance yourself from unhealthy relationships, and reassess your priorities.
- Increase Your Tawheed – Learn about the concept of Tawheed and internalize that true fulfillment comes only from Allah.
- Engage in Meaningful Activities – Fill your time with beneficial pursuits—learning, helping others, and focusing on personal growth.
- Make Du’a for a Pure Heart – Continuously ask Allah to remove unhealthy attachments and replace them with His love.
- Surround Yourself with Positive Influence – Seek friendships and company that remind you of Allah and help you stay balanced.
Conclusion: Finding True Freedom
Obsession is not just an emotional struggle—it is a spiritual deficiency. The modern world constantly pushes us to attach ourselves to temporary things, whether it’s relationships, fame, or material success. But true freedom comes from anchoring our hearts in the love of Allah ﷻ.
When your heart belongs fully to Allah, you no longer suffer from unhealthy attachments. You become emotionally independent, resilient, and content. You love, but you don’t depend. You enjoy, but you don’t crave. You live in the world, but your heart remains with the Creator of the world.
May Allah purify our hearts, strengthen our Tawheed, and fill our souls with His love alone. آمين.
Take the First Step Toward True Freedom
Obsession, whether with people, social status, or material success, is a sign of a heart searching for fulfillment in the wrong places. But true peace isn’t found in external validation—it lies in knowing Allah ﷻ, loving Him, and aligning your heart with His guidance.
If you’re ready to replace unhealthy attachments with something far greater—certainty in faith, emotional resilience, and a deep connection with your Creator—then take the next step. Join AMAU Academy and equip yourself with authentic Islamic knowledge that strengthens your Iman, purifies your heart, and helps you navigate the modern world with clarity and purpose.
The cure to obsession isn’t just letting go; it’s about filling your heart with the right thing. Start your journey today.
