What Allah Say's In The Quran VS What Science Say's | Bilal Assad

Summary

The speaker discusses neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt through habits, thoughts, and behaviors. They highlight how this concept applies to personal growth, emphasizing that individuals can rewire their brains by adopting positive habits. The speaker also relates neuroplasticity to Islamic teachings, explaining that we have control over our brain's decision-making areas, like the prefrontal cortex. The speech touches on the development of children's brains, ADHD, and how different childhood experiences shape behavior. The speaker encourages parents and individuals to focus on self-improvement and patience in developing better habits.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity, refers to the brain's ability to change and rewire itself based on experiences and habits.
• 👶 By age six or seven, many neural pathways in a child's brain are already formed, but the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, continues to develop until around age 25.
• 🛠 Like building with Legos, our brain's neural connections can be built, changed, or dismantled based on the habits we form and break.
• 🔄 Habits, whether good or bad, are formed through repetitive actions. Breaking habits follows the same process in reverse.
• 🙏 Changing negative habits requires willpower, planning, and consistent action, supported by prayer and self-discipline.
• 💡 Thoughts lead to ideas, which turn into plans and actions. Repeated actions become habits, and unchecked habits can become addictions.
• 💪 Overcoming bad habits, such as addictions, requires understanding triggers, removing access, and slowly rewiring the brain over time.
• ⏳ The speaker mentions a personal example of helping someone develop the habit of waking up for morning prayers by creating a structured plan and following it consistently.
• 📚 Parenting significantly influences childhood brain development, and parents should be mindful of different needs, especially in children with ADHD or other attention disorders.
• ❗ People should avoid self-diagnosing mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, as occasional feelings of discomfort do not always indicate a clinical issue.

Q & A

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, refers to the brain's ability to change and rewire itself. This process allows the brain to form new neural connections, which can help people develop new habits and learn new skills.

How does the speaker explain neuroplasticity to children?

The speaker explains neuroplasticity to children using the analogy of Legos. Just like Legos can be built, dismantled, and rebuilt in different ways, the brain can also form and reform connections between neurons, allowing people to change their habits and thinking patterns.

At what age does a child's brain become almost fully developed according to modern studies?

Modern studies suggest that a child's brain is almost fully developed around the age of six or seven, with significant neural pathways already formed based on their upbringing, experiences, and environment.

What part of the brain continues developing until about 25 years old, and what is it responsible for?

The prefrontal cortex continues developing until around 25 years old. It is responsible for judgment, decision-making, fears, rationality, and controlling impulses.

How does the speaker connect the concept of neuroplasticity to the Quran?

The speaker connects neuroplasticity to the Quran by referencing a verse where Allah speaks about the 'forelock' or frontal cortex, which is responsible for decisions. The verse emphasizes human responsibility for their actions, and the speaker interprets this as aligning with the idea that we can control and change our brains through conscious effort.

How does the speaker explain the development of habits?

The speaker explains that habits develop in stages: they begin with a thought, which if entertained, becomes an idea. The idea turns into a plan, which leads to an action. Repeated actions turn into habits, and if not addressed, habits can become addictions. The process can also be reversed by consciously choosing to develop positive thoughts, ideas, and actions.

What strategy does the speaker suggest for breaking bad habits?

The speaker suggests using willpower and prayer to make the decision to change, identifying when and how bad habits occur, and then creating a plan to avoid or counter them. For example, if a bad habit happens at night, the person could remove access to the source of temptation and create new positive habits.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the process of habit reversal?

The speaker gives the example of a young person wanting to pray Fajr at the mosque every day. The person starts with the thought, then makes a plan (e.g., going to sleep early, not eating late), and gradually the new habit becomes easier over time, eventually becoming ingrained.

What challenges do children with ADHD face, and how should parents approach this?

Children with ADHD may have delayed attention development compared to others their age, which can lead to difficulties in focusing. The speaker encourages parents to be more understanding and informed, rather than treating all children the same, and to avoid self-diagnosing children or dismissing their struggles.

What advice does the speaker give to young people regarding self-diagnosis?

The speaker advises young people not to self-diagnose when they experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health symptoms. They should not label themselves as sick based on temporary feelings and instead seek proper guidance if needed.