Islam and the effects of social media on morals, manners and etiquette
There are some advantages and disadvantages of using social media. One of the benefits is that it has connected families and friends that are not living near one another. For example, people living in different countries or cities cannot commute easily and regularly to each other because of their circumstances. Another benefit is that it can be a means of spreading the Word (Al-Qur’an) of Allah (Subhaanahu-wata`alaa) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to everyone as it is collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Al-Tirmidhee and narrated by ‘Adullah bin ‘Amr (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ““Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single Aayah (Verse, sentence), and tell others the stories of Banee Israa’eel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.(Sahih Al-Bukharee 3461)” This hadeeth has two main points: 1) it is very beneficial to spread the Word of Allah and the message of the Prophet (ﷺ) so that as many people as possible are invited to the straight path and 2) at the same time one must not make or spread a lie about the Prophet (ﷺ) by spreading something (which can be a lie or false information) on social media or the internet without confirming its authenticity. It is our utmost responsibility to confirm the authenticity of any information we share on social media or anywhere else about Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).
Some of the other sinful acts that can be noticed from the use of social media by people are:
It has almost become a norm for people to use swear words/abusive language when they see or watch something or someone who they disagree with on social media. It is more beneficial that one should approach someone they disagree with in the best of manners as it might make them rethink the wrong they are doing. This is according to the command of Allah to debate with people with wisdom.
It is not of good manners to disrespect leaders openly or even privately. It has become a norm in some Muslim countries where they speak ill of their rulers/leaders if they disagree with them or in some cases even if the leader/ruler is correct, but he does not belong to the same party/group of people.
It can be observed from the use of social media that some people disclose the faults of others without thinking that it is against the Deen (religion) of Allah. However, Allah promises to cover the sins of a person on the Day of Judgement if he/she covers the sins of another person.
Listening to music and watching haraam images and videos in private is a sin but to like it in public and share it with others through social media makes it a bigger sin and could even make it a Ghunah-e-jaariyah (continuous sin). This means that one will increase in sins continuously even though they might have signed out or switched off their devices, they will have encouraged others to sin even if they themselves have stopped.
One should not speak without knowledge about the Deen of Allah unless he/she has the authentic information about the topic in discussion and should refrain from giving his/her personal opinions about the matters of the Deen. Unfortunately, this practice is increasing amongst Muslim users of social media. Some of them simply reject something which might be a part of the Deen, because they are used to having it in their lives, for example: listening to music etc.
This is another dangerous practice adopted by some users of social media. Sometimes people have a disagreement, or they have a dispute between families so they create anonymous social media accounts and then start spreading false information about that family or individual. Because of their fire of revenge, they ignore the promised punishment of slander from Allah.
Some Muslim social media users publicise their daily private or public activities for various reasons and some of these activities are haraam. They are sinful not only by performing them but in publicising them, they might create a bigger fitna (trial). One of the reasons for publicising these haraam activities is that those Muslim users live in non-Muslim countries and they want to show to their non-muslim countrymen that they are normal human beings ignoring the fact that they are earning the punishment of Allah with such haraam activities.
Finally, one of the greatest fitnas (trials) of using social media is that we waste a lot of time on non-constructive and non-Islamic things. We are responsible for every second we have/use. It is better that we use time wisely and only to please Allah through the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) than to use it for our own destruction in this world and in the hereafter.
In conclusion, there is only one way to be fair, just, balanced and successful in all our affairs regarding the use of social media and other matters in general. We must try our utmost to follow the Quran and authentic Sunnah to the best of our ability in all situations and circumstances. May Allah (Subhaanahu-wata`alaa) protect us from all kinds of evils and guide us to the straight path.’ Ameen
Author: Khalid Ahmad Khattak
