Get Social the Halal Way

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ربي اشرح لي صدري و يسر لي أمري واحلل عقدة من لساني يفقه قولي

ربي زدني علما وارزقني فهما

 
Let us question ourselves. What do we do when we are free? How do we spend our leisure? How do we entertain ourselves when we’re bored? I’m sure many of us would answer that surfing the Internet of which the most important would be social networking sites. Face book, Instagram, WhatsApp , Twitter,  Snapchat, the list is never ending.
Social Media – a term that was not so common two decades back – is everybody’s addiction these days. Social Media is actually a means by which you can communicate with people around the world. These days Social Media is used for all other reasons other than communication.
We find people taking pictures and selfies, posting them on social media and awaiting comments and likes. When comments start flooding in, they upload other pictures. They also share videos, thoughts, posts and many more.
Well do you think these are allowed in Islam? Let’s look at a few haram features of Social Media.
The negative aspects of Social Media

1. Addiction – People these days are just glued up to their device, ignoring everything that happens around them. The consequences of addiction are so many from neglecting family members to neglecting even obligatory (fardh) duties
2. Gossip – We are aware that majority of the people love to spread gossip and rumours about others over the social media and they just get viral.
3. Inappropriate content – This is another trait that spreads widely on Social Networks, whether it is pornographic content, filthy jokes or even sexual harassment related news. This definitely misleads people.
4. Envy or evil eyes- Most of us know this. There are people who become envious of someone else’s display picture or status. We know that the evil eye is true. This could result in many harms as well.

After reading all the negativity mentioned above, we cannot conclude that Social Media is completely haram. It all depends on how you use it.
Halal ways of using Social Media

1. Da’wah – Social Media is an excellent tool for Da’wah. Spread the message of Islam, even if it’s one ayah from the Quran. ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr (ra) quoted that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: Convey from me, even if it is a verse Saheeh al-Bukhaari (3461)
2. Don’t let Social Media hamper your relationship with your family. Limit its usage and try to spend some quality time with your family. Don’t neglect your family. They need you and you’ll be questioned about it.
3. If somebody is sick or in trouble and you are unable to meet them personally, use Social Media to console them and guide them. You will be rewarded for that gesture.
4. Keep away from pornographic content. It will destroy you.
5. Don’t allocate too much time for Social Networking. There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time. (Sahih Bukhari, 6049) Too much of it is a waste of time and it’s bad for our health too, especially our vision.
6. Never miss your obligatory duties like Salah while trying to get social.
7. Don’t forward messages blindly. As a Muslim, check for its authenticity or if it is relevant. Never share gossip. “Do not concern yourself with things about which you have no knowledge. Verily, your hearing, sight, and heart — all of them will be called to account” (Qur’an 17:36).
8. Don’t share pictures, videos or any information about yourself or your loved ones. Remember evil eyes is very dangerous indeed.
9. Beware of strangers. Don’t add strangers as friends on Social Media. There were many cases reported where people were cyber bullied and kidnapped.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, everything has good and bad in it. It is in our hands whether we use it to improve us personally or ruin us.
References
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOr6rJwL2tc

بارك الله فيكم

وجزاكم الله خيرا

سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت استغفرك و أتوب إليك

والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Written by: Umm Maryam

TEAM IR

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