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. 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).
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.
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.
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:
"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.
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.