Navigating the Digital World

While social media and the internet have their uses—such as quick communication—the cons are many. These platforms have transformed our lives, but regular use can lead to mental health problems, addiction, a lower attention span, physical health issues, and poor sleep. Most harmfully, these things quickly become addictive, disconnecting us from our surroundings and cutting us off from our relationship with Allāh.

Maybe we have gone out for a day in the park and, instead of looking at the beautiful greenery Allāh Ta’ālā has created for us, we are instead glued to our phones. We spend hours at night as well, playing video games or watching things we shouldn’t, so much so that we ruin our sleep. Indeed, one study found that 42% of participants were addicted to their smartphones, and those who were suffered from worse sleep and mental well-being.

A Lesson in Mindfulness

As the month of Ramaḍān approaches, we must take stock of our lives. Social media and gaming waste time, take us away from progress, and hinder our responsibilities. We can find guidance in the experience of a Qari Sahib who once informed our honourable Shaykh Mawlānā Saleem Dhorat dāmat barakātuhum that he had been missing his daily tilāwah and adhkār for months.

When asked to ponder the reason, he immediately identified the smartphone. He explained that while he initially used it carefully, a single video clip of a debate led him into a spiral of pointlessly watching videos and wasting hours on YouTube. Hadhrat dāmat barakātuhum told him, "You know the problem and the solution; hence, there is no need to ask me for guidance." By getting rid of the smartphone, the Qari Sahib once again became punctual with his daily practices.

Practical Solutions and Spiritual Dangers

To protect our time, we should:

1. Reduce screen time by using apps that let us set time limits (such as twenty minutes after work or madrasah).

2. Only use the smartphone when there is a genuine need.

3. Avoid private use, as you are less likely to do something incorrect in public.

We must also guard our hearts. Social media is full of haram imagery, which acts as a poison. Whatever we watch is pictured in our minds, and a person may find themselves constantly thinking about these images, endangering their imaan. Furthermore, chatting about the faults of others is a major sin that falls under backbiting, and sinning publicly only further endangers our spiritual health.

The Impact of Gaming

Gaming also requires caution, as it can make children lazy, more aggressive, and less sensitive to the suffering of others. We do not know the true purpose behind these games; they are not created with Islam in mind and frequently include elements that lead toward kufr and disbelief.

A Final Reflection

Consider the story of a girl who, in Ramaḍān, would stay in her room watching programmes all day. When the time for Salāh came, or when her mother called for help, she would simply say, "I’ve got to wait for the next programme…" One day, she did not answer. Her parents found she had passed away on her bed with the TV still on. Tragically, when it came time to bury her, her body was so heavy it could not be lifted until the television was moved with her. She was eventually buried in the graveyard with the TV.

Social media and gaming can take us away from the five blessings mentioned in the hadeeth, where Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم advised us to value:

• Youth before old age.

• Health before sickness.

• Wealth before poverty.

• Free time before busyness.

• Life before death.