We are Ashraful Makhlooqat, the best of Allah’s creations, placed on this earth for a noble and divinely ordained purpose. Yet, with the rise of technological advancement, many of us have begun to drift away from that purpose. Every day, we engage in numerous activities, often without realising the profound influence the digital world exerts upon us. Devices such as phones, tablets, and computers have become an inseparable part of our routine, shaping our time and behavior.

However, in this fast-paced and highly connected era, we sometimes lose track of what is right and wrong. Even with sincere intentions, we fall into traps that divert us from our true purpose. One of the most significant of these traps is social media, which may be described as a “social media university” where many feel qualified to teach, opine, or guide without possessing authentic knowledge.

We often fail to realise everything has a purpose. When things lose their purpose, life becomes aimless. Just like a lamp without light or a ship without direction, our lives lose balance when disconnected from divine purpose. Purpose provides us stability, motivation, and a reason to live meaningfully. Without it, even apparent success feels hollow.

Allah (SWT) created us to live according to the guidance He revealed in the Holy Qur’an. To help us remain steadfast upon the straight path, He sent Prophets and Messengers guided by angels, to serve as exemplary models of righteous living. The best among them, our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated how to lead a life of balance, meaning, and devotion. Sadly, many people now blindly turn to online personalities for knowledge without grounding themselves in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is therefore crucial that we reaffirm our true purpose and utilise social media as a tool for good, rather than allowing it to become a source of confusion and evil.

The Growing Influence of Social Media

In today’s world, social media has become the go-to platform for almost everything, from lifestyle advice to religious reminders. Many Muslims, especially the youth, turn to these platforms with sincere intentions: seeking closeness to Allah ﷻ, learning the Qur’an and Sunnah, and finding inspiration to practice Islam. However, there has been a gradual and often unnoticed change in how religious knowledge is accessed and trusted, particularly among younger generations. As a result of this growing dependence on digital platforms, phrases like “I saw it in a video” or “an influencer said this” have become more influential than authentic sources of knowledge rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

The approaches they rely on often fall short. Short reels and trending reminders dominate feeds, offering momentary motivation without depth or authenticity. The Prophet ﷺ warned:

“Whoever interprets the Qur’an without knowledge, let him take his seat in the Fire.” ^[1]

This hadith highlights the danger of unqualified interpretations widely spreading online. However, it is crucial to note that social media also offers benefits when used responsibly, these platforms provide access to authentic scholars, verified knowledge, and structured learning opportunities. In this fast-moving world, finding truth requires awareness and sincere effort. The Qur’an reminds us:

فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“then ask those who have knowledge ˹of the Scriptures˺” ^[2]

The key, therefore, is to combine modern access with traditional authenticity, building our faith upon truth, not merely on trends. Always verify sources before believing what you see or hear, and seek knowledge from reliable scholars and authentic books backed by Qur’an and Sunnah. Critical thinking and reflection, if Allah wills, will protect the heart from various forms of deception.

A Lost and Sad Generation

For young people, social media addiction blurs the line between healthy learning and unhealthy obsession. Over time, this exposure leads to insecurity, low self-esteem, and even depression among young minds.

Over the past 25 years, anxiety among adolescents has risen by nearly 70%, with social media being a major contributing factor. The pandemic further amplified this crisis . According to a Consumer Notice report, lack of attention from loved ones often pushes youth deeper into digital spaces.^[3] More than 50% of teens have experienced cyberbullying, and 40% of internet users encounter online harassment.^[4]

The biggest trials we face in the digital age are comparison and desires. Social media constantly highlights wealth, beauty, and luxury, leading to jealousy and dissatisfaction. Instead of gratitude, people often feel deprived. Allah ﷻ warns:

“And do not follow ˹your˺ desires or they will lead you astray from Allah’s Way” ^[5]

He also says:

“Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy; the ˹fleeting˺ splendour of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision ˹in the Hereafter˺ is far better and more lasting..” ^[6]

The question arises: Even when our intentions are good, how do we still fall into these traps unknowingly? It begins slowly, like a silent poison. We tell ourselves, “At least I’m better than others,” or “I only follow good influencers.” Gradually, this turns into comparison and imitation, following trends without reflection. Eventually, the habit of questioning fades away, and we begin to accept whatever is presented online as truth.

Examples include

• Blindly following fashion or lifestyle bloggers under the banner of “self-care”
• Accepting viral Islamic quotes without verifying their authenticity
• Copying routines and practices from influencers rather than from qualified scholars
• Each of these actions seemingly at first, can reshape our intentions over time.

How, then, can one protect oneself? The solution lies in mindful self-discipline. Limiting screen time, engaging in dhikr, setting spiritual reminders, and practicing learning authentic Islamic knowledge rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, or even spending quiet time reflecting on Allah’s blessings, can heal digital fatigue. Parents, teachers, and communities must encourage youth to reconnect with real-life learning, meaningful conversation, and worship grounded in the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Self-control are key steps. Replacing excessive scrolling with reading the Qur’an

Impact on Children

Parents often warn their children about the dangers of social media, yet many fail to regulate their own behaviour. Children learn far more through observation than instruction. When they see adults scrolling endlessly or imitating influencers, they naturally follow. Children are the easiest to influence. Even cartoons shape their mindset, often normalising music, magic, or immodesty, values that contradict Islamic teachings. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Every child is born upon the fitrah (natural disposition). It is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” ^[7]

This hadith reminds parents to carefully guide and monitor what their children consume. Digital content is no exception.

Time And Allah’s Blessings

I’ve observed, many individuals often use social media as a form of escape from daily stress. Instead of turning to dhikr, reflection, or family, they spend hours scrolling through gossip and misinformation. We must ponder upon what the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.” ^[8]

This hadith fits perfectly in the digital age reminding us that time, once wasted, cannot be reclaimed.

Conclusion

Social media is not inherently evil; it can serve as a powerful tool for learning and spreading good. However, when approached carelessly, it becomes a silent disaster, negatively shaping mindsets and beliefs, eventually weakening values, and distancing hearts from Allah. As a personal practice, I make it a point to verify what I read or listen to on social media by referring back to the Qur’an and Hadith. Our challenge, therefore, is not merely to use technology, but to master it with mindfulness, sincerity, and accountability.

Allah (SWT), in His mercy, did not leave us lost or confused. He granted us the Qur’an, a light that never fades. There is no wrong time to return to Him, to remember that our worth lies not in followers or likes, but in our closeness to Allah. May He guide us to use every blessing, including social media as a means to spread goodness and truth. Ameen.

References

1. Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2950, Book of Tafsir- (Islam 360 App) ↑

2. (Qur’an [Surah An-Nahl:43]) https://quran.com/16/43 ↑

3. Consumer Notice Report, https://www.consumernotice.org ↑

4. World Metrics Report, https://worldmetrics.org ↑

5. Sahih al-Bukhari, 1359, Book of Funerals – Kitab al-Jana’iz, Sahih. (Islam 360 App) ↑

6. Qur’an [Surah Sad:26]. https://quran.com/38/26 ↑

7. Qur’an [Surah Taha:131]. https://quran.com/20/131 ↑

8. Sahih al-Bukhari, 6412, Book of Riqaq, Sahih. ↑