بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Table of contents:
1. Islamic Clarification & Broken window theory
2. How to fix negetive environment
Previously, I discussed how to find righteous companions and discussed about the influence of negative company. This blog will cover about the influence of negative company in detail, Inshallah.
1. Islamic Clarification & Broken window theory
The example of a good companion in comparison with a bad one is like that of a musk seller and a blacksmith's bellow. From the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellow would either burn your clothes or give you an unpleasant smell.
Sahih bukhari
When it comes to companionship, this is the most popular hadith that comes to our mind. But what does it mean really in the modern world? Though it's easy to understand, but one of the toughest things to implement for a majority of us i.e " Avoiding negative company and enjoin the righteous ones".
An even greater question is why aren't we able to get over toxic friendship?
The answer is subjective. For that, we need to understand the working of Satan:
Satan first calls an individual to sin, making it attractive and light in his eyes . But as soon as he commits that, the pleasure fades away and the weight of sin remains, and then Satan makes the person realize how heavy the punishment for sin is. This makes the person lose hope in the mercy of Allah, moreover the person starts indulging into sin again and again. Even in some cases he does repent but again falls back to the same sin, and the cycle keeps on repeating.Eventually he stops feeling guilty, and with time the Servant of Allah transforms into a Haughty Worker of Satan.
He not just commits sin openly and publicly, but also calls others towards it, without any shame.
We are surrounded by these kinds of satanic workers, just at different degrees. They bind us emotionally to themselves. We know that staying with such an individual will harm us, not just in this world but also in the hereafter. Yet we persist in being friends with such a one.
Satan uses our emotions against us.
Lack of rational reasoning results into such delusional emotional judgments that lead man to destruction.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that:
A person is upon the religion of their friend. So let one of you look at whom they befriend.
Sunan Abu Dawood, 4833
Hence, the influence of toxic and negative environment is soo extreme for an individual.
Moreover, environment not just include our friends and family, but also abiotic stuff like our broken windows, chair, and other stuff. You would be thinking how that could affect us.
Well....
In 1982, Criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling proposed Broken Window Theory in an article in The Atlantic. As per this theory,
"Visible signs of disorders such as broken window can lead to more crimes."
This small issue, (in this case vandalism), can lead to further crimes as a broken window gives our subconscious mind message that no one cares about it (as it hasn't been repaired) and we are free to do whatever we want.
Before the introduction of this theory by Wilson and Kelling, Philip Zimbardo, a Stanford psychologist, arranged an experiment testing the broken-window theory in 1969. Zimbardo arranged for an automobile with no license plates and the hood up to be parked idle in a Bronx neighbourhood and a second automobile, in the same condition, to be set up in Palo Alto, California. The car in the Bronx was attacked within minutes of its abandonment. Zimbardo noted that the first "vandals" to arrive were a family—a father, mother, and a young son—who removed the radiator and battery. Within twenty-four hours of its abandonment, everything of value had been stripped from the vehicle. After that, the car's windows were smashed in, parts torn, upholstery ripped, and children were using the car as a playground. At the same time, the vehicle sitting idle in Palo Alto sat untouched for more than a week until Zimbardo himself went up to the vehicle and deliberately smashed it with a sledgehammer. Soon after, people joined in for the destruction, although criticism has been levelled at this claim as the destruction occurred after the car was moved to the campus of Stanford university and Zimbardo's own students were the first to join him. Zimbardo observed that a majority of the adult "vandals" in both cases were primarily well dressed, Caucasian, clean-cut and seemingly respectable individuals. It is believed that, in a neighborhood such as the Bronx where the history of abandoned property and theft is more prevalent, vandalism occurs much more quickly, as the community generally seems apathetic. Similar events can occur in any civilized community when communal barriers—the sense of mutual regard and obligations of civility—are lowered by actions that suggest apathy.
Refrence:Wilson, James Q.; Kelling, George L. (March 1982). "Broken Windows". www.theatlantic.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2020
2. How to fix negetive environment
Through the above clarification, we now know that there are two factors:
1 People that surrounds us
2 The Abiotic Factor
2.1 People that surrounds us
I can say that in three words, "unfriend negative people".
But it's not that easy. If you can do it, well and good...For those who can't, here is a framework for that to begin with:
- Start by lowering the time duration you spend with them online as well as offline.This will slowly make your mind habitual of that sense of losing them.
- Try to guide them too,as much as you can, (but not every time!). This will either affect their hearts for good, or it will repel the Satans away from you.
- Seek out good ones to fill up their place.
Also read:How to Find Righteous Companions.
2.2 The Abiotic Factor
As the broken window theory stated the ill effects, so as per that logic, it's obvious to fix such issues around us, (As per your budget).
- Keep the environment clean and tidy. Even this simple thing can affect your mind and help you lower stress thereby reducing the tendency to fall into sins.
Also read:How to manage stress Islamic way
- Repair any worn-out part of your house, especially the place where you 'sometimes sin'.
- Use this theory in a reverse manner.If negative things can affect us negatively, so does positive things can do the same positively. In your room spread a prayer mat in direction of Qibla, so that whenever you enter your room, your mind gets a signal, a reminder of being mindful of Allah (and also pray there!).
This can help a lot in avoiding sins, in keeping your mind filled up with the remembrance of Allah, ultimately increasing your faith.
Inshallah
So keeping all this in mind, start today!
- Even a slight change like reducing one hour of interaction with toxic people will work.
- Spread a pair mat in your room now.
- Avoid useless and sinful gathering as much as you can.
- Be mindful of Allah and fear Him whenever the negative ones approach you
- Develop a sense of disgust for the negative things like drugs, pornography, etc. Remove all sorts of useless stuff from your surroundings that reminds you of that or is a part of it.
3. Conclusion
To transform a negative environment, start small. Reduce time spent with toxic individuals, replace them with righteous companions, and create a clean, positive space around you. Fix worn-out areas and add reminders of Allah, such as a prayer mat in your room, to foster mindfulness. By consciously avoiding harmful influences and building a supportive environment, you can strengthen your faith, protect yourself from sin, and work towards becoming a better servant of Allah. Let each step you take today be a step closer to a righteous and fulfilling life, both in this world and the hereafter.
اللهم مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوْبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوْبَنَا عَلَى طَاعتِكَ
O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience
Ameen.
Comment down any question or dought you have regarding islam and its doctrines. Future blogs will inshallah include the solution to them ☺️
Fiqh & hadith related doughts will be explained by ulema of the specific fields inshallah
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