Writing: Hania Fatima Qadria
Today's era is an era of digital progress. Mobile phones, the internet, and especially social media have affected every aspect of life. Presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok has become a common thing, especially for young girls. But this common thing is gradually becoming a major challenge for our religious, moral, and social values. The status, respect, and dignity that Islam has given to women is being affected due to the misuse of social media. The purpose of this article is to recognize these hidden evils of social media and to equip ourselves with religious awareness to avoid them.
The first major evil of social media is the display of pictures and videos. Uploading selfies, fashion, makeup, or dance videos by women is not only against modesty but also becomes a cause of sin by becoming the center of attention of non-Mahrams. Bringing the face that Allah has commanded to hide in front of the world is like putting Allah's command behind your back. In addition, the second dangerous evil is chatting, commenting, and befriending non-Mahrams. Often girls are deceived by likes, complimentary comments, and Insta DMs and move towards sin. Satan is very clever, he puts doubts in the hearts with a simple message and slowly leads man towards destruction.
The third major evil is the greed for fame, followers, and praise. Some girls show their voice, face, or clothes only so that they get likes, people praise them, or they become famous. This worldly fame is temporary, but the intention of the heart and mind is affected behind it. Such a person then forgets the sincerity of intention and the pleasure of Allah and becomes a prisoner of people's applause only. This spiritual disease slowly leads to distance from religion, narcissism, and misguidance.
Therefore, today's woman, especially a Muslim girl, should protect herself from the evils of social media. Avoid unnecessary posts, pictures, and videos. Keep your identity dignified, veiled, and modest. She should think every time she takes an online step: Will my Lord be pleased with me? Being on social media is not forbidden, but its use should be with caution, piety, and knowledge and wisdom. Anything that causes restlessness or spiritual weakness in the heart is a fitna for us, and avoiding fitna is a requirement of faith.
In the end, we must keep in mind that true honor, success, and status are in the pleasure of the Lord, not in the followers, comments, or views of social media. A modest, virtuous, veiled woman is not liked in front of the world, but is certainly liked in the prayers of Allah's angels and the righteous. So let us live for the pleasure of our Lord, and avoid the deception of the world's applause.
O Allah! Grant us purity in our eyes, hearts, and intentions.
Protect our daughters, sisters, and mothers from the evils of social media. Save us from the applause of the world and make us seekers of Your pleasure only. O Lord, the Most Generous! Grant us the shame and modesty that is the Sunnah of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (RA), and grant us the honor that is the identity of a believer. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.
📚Qadria Academy for Girls, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 📚