Be mindful of what you consume [80:24]

Yesterday we started talking about eating of the good things. Today inshallah, let us reflect a bit deeper on what we consume.

 In verse 24 of Chapter 80, Sura Abassa, Allah [swt] says:

فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ إِلَى طَعَامِهِ

[80:24] Then let man look to his food,

This short yet profound verse from Surah Abassa serves as an invitation to mindfulness in what we consume. Scholars explain that the verse means that we reflect and contemplate on the vital elements and wonderful structure of the of the natural world and the nourishment it facilitates and then it would should us to think about the Creator, Who has created the system that gives us this nourishment.

While the apparent and first meaning of this verse is about bodily food, scholars explain that the soul's sustenance can analogically be understood from it, since man is a combination of soul and body; as his body needs bodily food so his soul requires spiritual sustenance, as well.

So, while on the surface, the verse refers to physical food, the wisdom embedded in these words extends far beyond nutrition. It calls us to examine not just what we put into our bodies but also what we feed our minds and souls.

 In an age where consumption is not just about eating but also about what we read, watch, listen to, and engage with, this verse prompts us to reflect: What are we really consuming?

Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) for the commentary of the above verse says: "Be careful from where and from whom you get your information."

The Modern Diet of Information

We live in an era where information is readily available, often bombarding us before we have a chance to filter or process it. It is said that we consume more input in a week than our ancestors did in their entire lives. [not surprising that we feel overwhelmed!!]

Social media, news outlets, and digital platforms all provide us a constant stream of content and it comes at it much faster than we can process it. For this reason, digital media often bypasses our cognitive centres and goes straight to our unconscious brain.

 Here is the issue: much of this content is designed to provoke fear, anger, or anxiety. The rise of doom scrolling—the habitual consumption of negative news on social media, —has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. Studies in psychology highlight that repeated exposure to distressing content triggers a chronic stress response, making us more prone to emotional exhaustion and decreased well-being.

If we constantly feed our minds with negativity, it shapes our worldview, fosters cynicism and lack of trust, and diminishes our capacity for hope. Just as unhealthy food weakens the body, an unhealthy media diet weakens the soul.

Imam Ali (AS) provides a powerful reminder: "The heart gets tired as the body gets tired, so look for beautiful wisdom for it." (Ghurar al-Hikam)

Your Social Media Feed is Your Mental Fridge

A person’s fridge tells a story about their physical health—what they prioritize, how they nourish themselves, and their relationship with food. Similarly, our social media feed reflects our mental and spiritual consumption. If our timeline is filled with negativity, gossip, materialism, or vulgarity, then that is what we are feeding our inner selves. Conversely, a curated feed with uplifting reminders, beneficial knowledge, and sources of inspiration strengthens our mental and spiritual well-being.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wisely advised: "The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blacksmith’s bellows; the seller of musk will offer you a good scent, whereas the bellows will either burn your clothes or fill your lungs with toxic smoke."

Today, our digital companions—our social media algorithms—act similarly. They either uplift us or drain us. Are we engaging with content that elevates our hearts and minds, or are we allowing ourselves to be consumed by a vortex of negativity?

Beyond what we see and read, what we listen to also has a profound impact on our souls. 

Music, podcasts, and conversations is all "food" that we are feeding our minds and our souls and they all contribute to our inner state. The prevalence of vulgarity, immorality, and heedlessness in modern entertainment affects our mindset in ways we may not realize. Studies in neuroscience show that repetitive exposure to explicit and negative content alters brain chemistry, reinforcing patterns of thought and behavior that can be difficult to break.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) said: "When a heart is devoid of remembrance of Allah, it is like a ruined house." (Al-Kafi)

We must ask ourselves: Are we filling our minds with words and sounds that build or ruin our inner homes?

Curating a Healthier Mental and Spiritual Diet

To be conscious of what we consume means taking active steps to filter, select, and nourish ourselves with that which benefits us. Here are some practical ways to do so:

1. Audit Your Social Media Feed– Unfollow accounts that spread negativity and toxicity. Follow those that inspire, educate, and uplift.
2. Limit Exposure to Bad News– Stay informed but set boundaries. Choose quality over quantity when consuming news. Do NOT consume news just before bed.
3. Be Mindful of What You Listen To– Replace soul toxins with content that feeds your soul
4. Set Digital Boundaries– Reduce screen time, take breaks from social media, and engage in real-world conversations.
5. Engage with Nature and Real-life Connections– Spiritual and mental nourishment comes not just from avoiding harm but actively engaging with good—through connecting with nature, with each other in real time and in meaningful discussions.

The Quranic wisdom embedded in "Then let man look at his food" is a timeless reminder that what we consume—physically, mentally, and spiritually—shapes who we become. Just as a healthy diet leads to a strong body, a healthy consumption of media, conversations, and thoughts leads to a resilient soul 

May we all be mindful of what we feed ourselves and make choices that nourish rather than deplete us. Ameen.

[Btw, we go into more depth in the podcast episode, linked below]

The podcast episode is uploaded here

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Wishing you a day full of spiritual fulfillment, positivity, purpose and peace.