Stop Using Law Of Attraction
Stop Using the Law of Attraction: A Reflection through the Quran
The Law of Attraction (LoA) has become increasingly popular in the self-help and spiritual communities. It promises to manifest your desires by visualizing them and believing that the universe will bring them into your life. While it may sound appealing and even logical to some, as Muslims, we need to pause and deeply analyze the LoA from the Islamic perspective, particularly in the light of the Quran and Sunnah. It is essential to understand that relying on the universe, as the LoA teaches, may conflict with the core principles of Islamic monotheism (Tawheed), potentially leading to the dangerous practice of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
In this article, we will explore why the Law of Attraction should not be practiced by Muslims, how it conflicts with our faith, and why our focus should remain on trusting Allah rather than attributing powers to the universe.
Understanding the Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction centers around the belief that positive or negative thoughts bring corresponding experiences into a person’s life. It teaches that focusing on what you want (whether wealth, success, relationships, or happiness) will attract those things into your life. Practitioners are often encouraged to create vision boards, repeat affirmations, and visualize their goals daily to manifest their desires.
According to this belief system, the universe is seen as a force that responds to our energy and vibrations. The central idea is that by sending out positive vibrations, the universe will return positivity in the form of fulfilled desires.
While these ideas may seem harmless or even empowering at first glance, there are underlying dangers for a Muslim who practices the Law of Attraction.
The Concept of Shirk in Islam
Shirk is one of the gravest sins in Islam, described in the Quran as associating partners with Allah:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him [shirk], but He forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:48)
Shirk can take various forms, but at its core, it involves attributing divine attributes, powers, or authority to anything or anyone other than Allah. The Law of Attraction promotes reliance on the “universe” for manifesting desires, subtly replacing Allah’s authority with the universe as the one who brings provision and destiny. This misplaced belief can be considered a form of shirk, as it diverts reliance from Allah and attributes power to a creation (the universe) that has no ability to change the course of events.
In Islam, belief in Allah as the only Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of all affairs is central. Any ideology that undermines this belief by attributing power to other forces is dangerous and contradicts the essence of Tawheed.
Universe as Creator: A Misguided Notion
One of the most problematic aspects of the Law of Attraction is the idea that the universe responds to our desires and can “bring” things into our lives. This contradicts the Quranic understanding of creation and divine power.
Allah explicitly reminds us that He is the sole Creator of the universe and everything within it:
“To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He wills. He grants to whom He wills females, and He grants to whom He wills males.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:49)
The notion that the universe has the power to shape our lives is a grave misunderstanding. The universe is a creation of Allah, not a force or being that can control outcomes or deliver desires. Allah alone has the power to decree matters and determine our fate:
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims.'” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:162-163)
Relying on Allah (Tawakkul) vs. Relying on the Universe
The Islamic concept of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) is essential to a Muslim’s relationship with their Creator. It teaches us to trust in Allah for all matters, both big and small. The Law of Attraction, however, shifts this trust away from Allah and towards the universe.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds; they go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full.” (At-Tirmidhi)
This hadith emphasizes that true reliance on Allah, not on the universe or any other creation, brings provision and success. In contrast, the Law of Attraction encourages people to rely on their own thoughts and the supposed power of the universe, which diverts us from our dependence on Allah.
When we practice tawakkul, we acknowledge that while we take action and make effort, the ultimate outcome is in Allah’s hands alone. Whether we achieve our desires or not, we know that Allah has decreed what is best for us. The Law of Attraction, however, subtly claims that humans have control over outcomes through their thoughts, which is not consistent with the Islamic worldview.
The Danger of Affirmations and Visualization Techniques
One of the key practices of the Law of Attraction involves repeating affirmations and visualizing your desires daily. While positive thinking and having hope in Allah’s mercy are encouraged in Islam, affirmations within the context of LoA often border on making declarative statements about the future, such as “I will have wealth,” or “I will be successful.”
Such statements assume certainty about the future, which only Allah knows. In the Quran, Allah says:
“And never say of anything, ‘Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,’ except [when adding], ‘If Allah wills.'” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:23-24)
By constantly affirming our desires as if they are guaranteed, we risk neglecting the essential principle of Insha’Allah (if Allah wills). The future is always in Allah’s hands, and we should approach it with humility and submission to His decree.
Additionally, visualizing wealth, success, or relationships daily can lead to an excessive attachment to worldly matters. In Islam, we are encouraged to focus on the Hereafter and not to become overly attached to the fleeting pleasures of this world:
“The life of this world is but amusement and diversion; but the Hereafter is the best for those who fear Allah. So will you not reason?” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:32)
True Manifestation: Turning to Allah
The Quran and Sunnah provide us with guidance on how to achieve our desires, and it’s vastly different from what the Law of Attraction teaches. Instead of turning to the universe, we are instructed to turn to Allah in prayer and supplication. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to ask for what we need through dua (supplication), always recognizing that the power to grant or withhold lies solely with Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When one of you prays, let him ask for what he wants, for nothing is too great for Allah.” (Muslim)
Instead of visualizing or affirming desires, we should submit our requests humbly to Allah, recognizing that He knows what is best for us and will grant us what is good for us in this world and the next. Allah says in the Quran:
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'” (Surah Ghafir, 40:60)
This promise from Allah should be sufficient for a believer. We don’t need to rely on vague forces like the universe; we have direct access to the Creator of the universe.
Conclusion: Reject the Law of Attraction and Turn to Allah
The Law of Attraction, while tempting in its promises, poses serious conflicts with the core beliefs of Islam. It encourages reliance on the universe, diverts us from tawakkul on Allah, and risks leading us into shirk by attributing powers to creation rather than the Creator.
As Muslims, our focus should always remain on trusting Allah, submitting to His will, and asking for our needs through dua. We should reject any ideology that undermines these principles, no matter how popular or appealing it may seem.
Remember, everything happens by Allah’s will, and nothing in this world—whether it be the universe or our own thoughts—has the power to change that. Let us strengthen our connection with Allah and trust Him alone to fulfill our desires, knowing that He is the Best of Providers.
“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:62)
By focusing on Islamic teachings, we can find contentment and success without relying on the Law of Attraction or any other belief system that contradicts our faith. May Allah guide us and protect us from the dangers of shirk and help us place our full trust in Him.