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How do our minds really make decisions?

We operate on two distinct mental tracks: one that reacts in a split second and another that takes its time, weighing every detail.

These two systems shape everything from our daily choices to our most profound life changes.

Fast thinking is our intuitive, automatic mode, which operates effortlessly.

It relies on mental shortcuts like pattern recognition and emotional responses.

However, this mode is prone to biases and errors because it often jumps to conclusions without thoroughly analyzing information.

On the other hand, slow thinking is more deliberate, analytical, and effortful, and it is engaging when complex problems require attention, logic, and reasoning.

While it’s more accurate, slow thinking also requires more energy so we naturally utilize it less often.

So, how does this affect us in our religious path?

Fast thinking, driven by habits, emotions, and quick judgments, can be aligned with Islamic values when our natural disposition, or fitrah, is nurtured with the principles of Sharia.

When our fitrah is cultivated through consistent engagement with Islamic teachings, our mental shortcuts start to reflect these values, leading to instinctive actions that are pleasing to Allah (SWT).

For instance, if our hearts and minds are consistently connected with Allah through regular prayer, Quran recitation, and mindfulness, we may instinctively avoid backbiting or steer a conversation toward a more productive topic without thinking twice.

This is why constant engagement with Islamic teachings is crucial.

These practices help internalize the principles of Sharia so that even in moments of immediacy, our actions remain within the bounds of what is acceptable and good.

However, the more profound transformation happens through slow thinking, related to self-reflection and the struggle against the ego, or nafs.

Scholars have long emphasized the importance of Tazkiyah, or purification of the soul, and the need to consciously confront and manage spiritual diseases like arrogance, envy, and greed.

While fast thinking can help us manage our daily actions according to Islamic principles, it’s only when we take the time to question our immediate impulses, examine our intentions, and understand the root causes of our actions that our fast responses can genuinely change.

For example, if we struggle with frequent outbursts of anger—a disease of the heart in Islam—we can use slow thinking to reflect on our behavior.

We might examine the triggers, notice when and why we become angry, and analyze the root causes.

Perhaps our anger stems from pride, feeling disrespected, or insecurity.

Understanding these deeper issues allows us to address them, leading us to handle situations that typically provoke anger with more patience and awareness.

We reprogram our fast thinking through slow thinking, allowing us to grow and transform, becoming more prophetic in our character.

Our natural disposition aligns more closely with Islamic values, leading to automatic responses guided by Sharia that are more pleasing to Allah (SWT) in immediate and long-term situations.

Understanding the interplay between fast and slow thinking is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and self-purification on our journey.