Shaytaan and Dopamine

As Salaam Alaykum,

I get it. You want to be a better Muslim, focus on your prayers, memorize the Quran, build a career aligning with your values, and care for your health. But somehow… it all feels impossible. The distractions are endless, and no matter how much you try, you can’t seem to make progress.

That used to be me.

I’d scroll mindlessly on Instagram and TikTok, lose hours in FIFA with friends, or binge-watch Netflix until 2 AM, knowing I had important things to do the next day. But the worst part? I didn’t care. I was hooked. The instant gratification kept me numb to everything around me, and eventually, I realized that I wasn’t getting any closer to my goals. In fact, I was straying further away from them.

There’s a reason for this. And it’s more than just a lack of willpower.

Dopamine is in Control

Dopamine is the chemical in our brain that rewards us with pleasure when we do something that gives us a quick payoff—like scrolling, gaming, or even eating junk food. These things give us a dopamine hit, making us feel good… temporarily. And we get addicted to it. We chase that quick high, over and over again.

But here’s the problem: This constant craving for quick hits is killing our focus, stealing our time, and ultimately, keeping us away from our purpose.

Shaytaan knows this all too well. He doesn’t need to distract us with major sins—he can use something as simple as our addiction to instant gratification.

One thing about Shaytaan is that he’s smart. And he works hard. He’ll use every half-chance he can get just to distract us. 

And he makes these distractions seem light and harmless. Sometimes even fun. He’d justify me wasting time by saying “it’s just FIFA. Football isn’t haram” or “At least i’m not out there partying and doing haram”. I fell right into this trap and wasted hours.

“And Shaytaan made their deeds seem fair to them, so they were diverted from the way. And they think that they are guided.” – [Quran 47:14]

This verse hit me hard. Shaytaan uses distractions to make us forget Allah. We get so caught up in our phones, games, or shows that we think we’re just passing time, not realizing that we’re missing out on what truly matters.

This isn’t just about wasting time—this is about our Akhira too.

I’ve been there. I’ve ignored voluntary worship because I was too busy binge-watching a show or grinding on a game. I’ve delayed starting my day because I stayed up late for “one more episode.” It felt harmless at the time. But now, I realize the gravity of those small moments.

The regret I felt wasn’t just about missing out on my goals in this world—it was the fear of standing in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment, knowing I wasted the precious time He gave me on meaningless distractions.

So, how did I break free?

First I have to acknowledge Allah’s help. I would not be able to do this without him. Alhamdulillah. 

To be honest, I stumbled on this method by accident and don’t worry it’s not Bidah or Shirk.

It’s simply Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)

I heard about the importance of Dhikr and how it brings blessings and solves worries. 

This is what I did:

1. I put my phone on “Do Not Disturb” 

2. Spent a minimum of 10 minutes alone in a quiet space

3. Focused on dhikr

I got into this habit and practised it during my free time (I’d rather do this than bombard my brain with mindless scrolling). 

This helped me reset. I realized that I had to detox from all the dopamine-driven distractions and focus on what truly mattered. I found a method that worked for me—and it has made a world of difference.

The key is simple: Focused intention and mindfulness of Allah. I’ve started setting specific moments for reflection and remembrance (dhikr), limiting distractions, and dedicating time to things that serve my purpose in both the Dunya and the Akhira.

The results? Peace. Clarity. Focus. And a renewed connection to my purpose.

If you’re ready to break free from the chains of distraction and take control of your life—both here and in the hereafter— feel free to reach out to me on Threads or IG @easyali8888. 

Let’s reset together.