FENOMENA BRAIN ROT DALAM PERSPEKTIF AL-QUR’AN: STUDI QUR’AN TEMATIK TERHADAP DEGRADASI KOGNITIF DI ERA DIGITAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20587430Abstract
Advances in digital technology and social media have significantly changed the way people consume information. The ease of access to various types of digital content contributes to a phenomenon known as "brain rot," which is a condition of cognitive decline characterized by reduced cognitive abilities, critical thinking, and intellectual reflection, as well as increased dependence on digital content and entertainment. This phenomenon affects not only the cognitive aspect, but also the spiritual qualities of the individual. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the phenomenon of brain rot from the perspective of the Qur'an, examine verses related to cognitive decline, and discuss Qur'anic solutions in facing the challenges of the digital era. This research uses a qualitative methodology with reference to the type of library research and thematic interpretation (tafsir maudhu'i). The Qur'an and classical and contemporary tafsir books are primary sources of data, while scientific journals, academic books, literature on "brain rot", and digital literacy are secondary sources of data. Data analysis is carried out through data reduction, verse categorization, and thematic interpretation with respect to relevant Qur'anic concepts. The findings of this study show that the phenomenon of brain rot is related to the concepts of laghw (useless activity), lahw (negligent entertainment), ghaflah (negligence), and la ya'qilun (not using reason optimally). The Qur'an provides solutions through the use of tafakkur, tadabbur, tabayyun, and tazkiyatun nafs as a means to improve mental and spiritual well-being in the context of digital information. This research shows that the Qur'an has strong relevance in providing an epistemological and ethical foundation to overcome the phenomenon of "brain rot", so that digital literacy based on the principles of the Qur'an is very important in forming a critical, reflective, and noble society in the digital era.
Downloads
References
Al-Ghazali. Ihya’ ’Ulum Al-Din. Vol. 4. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-’Ilmiyyah, 2015.
Al-Maraghi, Ahmad Mustafa. Tafsir Al-Maraghi. Vol. 7. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1993.
Tafsir Al-Maraghi. Vol. 21. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1993.
Al-Qurthubi. Al-Jami’ Li Ahkam Al-Qur’an. Vol. 10. Beirut: Mu’assasah al-Risalah, 2006.
Al-Razi, Fakhruddin. Mafatih Al-Ghayb. Vol. 22. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1990.
Al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir. Jami’ Al-Bayan ’an Ta’wil Ay Al-Qur’an. Vol. 21. Cairo: Dar
Hijr, 2001.
Arsyad, M, B Bashori, and W Nadhiroh. “Literasi Digital Qur’ani: Integrasi Konsep Laghw Dan
Tadabbur Dalam Menghadapi Brain Rot Di Era Digital.” Al-Qudwah 4, no. 2 (2025): 85–
96.
Batmaz, H, and C B Özsağır. “The Cognitive Cost of Brain Rot: Indirect Effects on Depression
via Burnout, Stress, and Anxiety.” Psychological Reports 129, no. 3 (2025): 1–18.
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. New York: W. W.
Norton & Company, 2010.
DataReportal. “Digital 2025 Global Overview Report,” 2025. https://datareportal.com.
Ibn Kathir, Ismail ibn Umar. Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-’Azim. Vol. 6. Riyadh: Dar Tayyibah, 2000.
Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-’Azim. Vol. 3. Riyadh: Dar Tayyibah, 2000.
Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-’Azim. Vol. 4. Riyadh: Dar Tayyibah, 2000.
Mahajan, P. The Silent Erosion: Global Generational Cognitive Decline in the Age of AI and the
Future of Human Intellectual Agency. HAL Open Science, 2025.
Mostafa, M M, A R Ibrahim, and M A Nemt-Allah. “Development and Psychometric Validation
of the Brain Rot Scale: Measuring Digital Content Overconsumption Among Generation
Alpha and Generation Z.” European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and
Education 15, no. 12 (2025): 1–20. https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/12/262.
Nakhla, M I M. “Doomscrolling and Digital Brain Rot: The Psychological Impact of Short-Form
Media on Egyptian Youth.” Journal of Posthumanism 5, no. 1 (2025): 10–19.
Rahayu, F S, K Wulandari, and S Christianto. “Does Short Video Lead to Decreased Attention
Span and Memory Impairment? A Study on the Impact of Excessive Use of It on WellBeing BT - 2025 International Conference on Digital Society,” 1–6. IEEE, 2025.
Shihab, M Quraish. Tafsir Al-Misbah: Pesan, Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-Qur’an. Vol. 15.
Jakarta: Lentera Hati, 2002.
Tafsir Al-Misbah: Pesan, Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-Qur’an. Vol. 13. Jakarta: Lentera Hati,
2002.
Tafsir Al-Misbah: Pesan, Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-Qur’an. Vol. 8. Jakarta: Lentera Hati, 2002.
Thiele, L P. Human Agency, Artificial Intelligence, and the Attention Economy: The Case for
Digital Distancing. Routledge, 2025.
Yousef, A M F, A Alshamy, A Tlili, and A H S Metwally. “Demystifying the New Dilemma of
Brain Rot in the Digital Era: A Review.” Brain Sciences 15, no. 3 (2025): 1–22.


