The Importance of Controlling Your Mind and Thoughts..

As a student, the significance of controlling your mind and thoughts cannot be overstated. This aspect of self-discipline and mental mastery is crucial for academic success, personal growth, and overall well-being. By understanding the power of our thoughts and learning to control them, we can harness our true potential and achieve greatness.

Dr. A'idh al-Qarni emphasizes the importance of controlling our thoughts in his writings on happiness. He states,

“Basic to the art of happiness is to bridle our thoughts and to restrain them, not allowing them to wander, stray, escape, or go wild. If you leave your thoughts to wander as they wish, then they will run wild and control you. They will open the catalog of your past woes. They will remind you of the history of your misfortunes, beginning from the day that your mother gave birth to you. If your thoughts are left to roam, then they will bring to you images of your past difficulties and images of a frightening future. thoughts will shake your very being and will cause your feelings to flare. Therefore bridle them, and restrain them by directing them to the concentrated application of the kind of serious thought that begets fruitful and beneficial work” (Al-Qarni,90).

The power of the mind is unique and vast, so use it wisely. Control it; do not let it control you. Do not let Satan gain control of your mind, for he will surely drag you into despair.

Your thoughts can easily roam and drag you into depression and misery. Negative thoughts are the greatest source of hopelessness, anxiety, and fear. It is the way you think about your life, or a situation in your life, that results in either satisfaction or depression. Allah mentions:

(وَجَعَلْناَ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فًِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُوْن……( الفرقان ٢٠

“And we have made some of you (people) as a trial for others….. will you have patience? “ (Quran 25:20).

Ultimately, you are in control of your thoughts and emotions. This means that you have the power to either cause yourself emotional suffering or create satisfaction and happiness. This recognition is crucial as it empowers you to take charge of your mental and emotional well-being.

By understanding that your thoughts and emotions are within your control, you can actively choose to direct them in a positive and beneficial direction. Negative thoughts and emotions can drain your energy, hinder your progress, and create a sense of dissatisfaction. On the other hand, cultivating positive thoughts and emotions can uplift your mood, improve your overall well-being, and bring about feelings of fulfillment and happiness.

It is important to remember that external events and circumstances do not have absolute power over your emotional state. While you may not be able to control every situation that arises, you can control how you perceive and respond to them. This is beautifully expressed by Victor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, who said, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances."

By consciously choosing to focus on positive thoughts and emotions, you can train your mind to overcome adversity and find contentment in any situation. This does not mean ignoring or suppressing negative emotions, as they are natural and valid. However, by acknowledging them and consciously shifting your focus to more positive and empowering thoughts, you can develop resilience and create a more satisfying and fulfilling life.

Here are some benefits of having control over negative thoughts and minds as a student:

1. One of the main benefits of controlling our minds and thoughts is improved focus and concentration. As American psychologist William James once said, "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."¹ By consciously selecting our thoughts and actively redirecting our attention, one can stay focused on our studies, tasks, and goals. This enhances one’s productivity and enables them to absorb information more effectively, leading to improved academic performance.

2. Controlling your mind and thoughts positively impacts your mental and emotional well-being, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl once stated, "Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response."² By becoming aware of our thoughts and consciously choosing how we respond to challenging situations, we can prevent ourselves from falling into a cycle of negative thinking. This allows us to approach academic challenges with a calmer demeanor, leading to a more positive learning experience.

3. Our thoughts also play a significant role in enhancing our problem-solving skills. By practicing self-discipline in our thinking process, we can approach academic/ religious and everyday challenges with a clear and focused mind. This promotes a more logical and creative approach to problem-solving, allowing us to find innovative solutions to complex issues. Albert Einstein famously remarked, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,"³ emphasizing the importance of adopting a new mindset to overcome obstacles.

4. As a student, resilience, and motivation are crucial qualities to possess. By controlling our mindsets and thoughts, we can cultivate a resilient mindset and stay motivated during challenging times. Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once said, "The mind is everything. What you think you become."⁴ By feeding our minds with positive and empowering thoughts, we can overcome setbacks, maintain a growth mindset, and stay motivated to achieve our academic goals.

In conclusion, controlling your mind and thoughts as a student is of paramount importance. Through improved focus, reduced stress, enhanced problem-solving skills, and increased resilience mastering our thoughts can positively impact both our academic performance and personal growth. Remember that when difficulties arise or when you feel lost, it is important to turn to prayer and seek solace in Allah. In times of hardship, it is crucial to pray two units of salah (a voluntary prayer) and make dua (supplication) to Allah for guidance, support, and strength. In the Quran, Allah reassures us with the following verse:

وَاسْتَعِيْنُوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ ۗ وَاِنَّهَا لَكَبِيْرَةٌ اِلَّا عَلَى الْخٰشِعِيْنَۙ  ( البقرة: ٤٥ )

“And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]” (Al-Baqarah 2: 45)

This verse emphasizes the importance of putting our trust and reliance (Tawakul) in Allah. It means that while we should strive to do our best and make efforts to overcome challenges, we should ultimately trust Allah's plans and believe that He is in control of the outcomes. When faced with difficult situations, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure about the best course of action. In such moments, turning to prayer and seeking guidance from Allah can provide us with the clarity and strength we need. Therefore, Put your trust in Allah and do what you can, while leaving the rest to Him.

1. William James. "The Principles of Psychology." Dover Publications, 1950.

2. Viktor E. Frankl. "Man's Search for Meaning." Beacon Press, 2006.

3. Albert Einstein. "The World as I See It." Citadel Press, 2007.

4. Thich Nhat Hanh. "The Miracle of Mindfulness." Beacon Press, 1999.