Dr. Bilal A. Bhat, Intizar Ahmad
Social media has become one of the most influential forces shaping contemporary society, transforming the way people communicate, learn, express opinions, build relationships and understand the world around them. Platforms that were once viewed simply as tools for communication have now become powerful spaces for education, business, entertainment, journalism, religious discussion and social interaction. Millions of people spend a significant part of their daily lives on digital platforms, making social media an important part of modern culture. Yet alongside its many benefits, social media has created serious challenges for moral values, personal conduct and social relationships. The rapid spread of misinformation, vulgarity, hatred, envy, backbiting, online humiliation, excessive self-promotion and unhealthy comparison has raised important questions about the ethical use of technology. From an Islamic perspective, the central issue is not technology itself but how human beings choose to use it. Islam does not reject useful technological development; rather, it provides moral principles that guide human behaviour in every environment, including the digital world. The Qur’an and Sunnah emphasize truthfulness, modesty, privacy, dignity, respect, responsibility and accountability. These principles remain relevant whether a person is speaking face to face, writing a newspaper article or posting something online. Social media may have changed the form of communication, but it has not changed the moral responsibility attached to human speech and behaviour. One of the most serious problems associated with social media is the rapid circulation of unverified information. A message can be created in seconds and reach thousands or even millions of people before its accuracy has been established. Rumours, manipulated photographs, misleading headlines and fabricated stories can damage reputations and create unnecessary fear and conflict. Islamic teachings place great emphasis on verifying information. The Qur’an instructs believers that when information comes from an unreliable source, they should verify it so that they do not unknowingly harm others. This principle provides a powerful ethical foundation for digital communication.
Before forwarding a message, sharing a post or publishing an accusation, a Muslim should ask whether the information is true, whether the source is reliable and whether spreading it may cause harm. In an age where people often share content simply because it is emotionally powerful or supports their existing opinions, verification becomes an important act of moral responsibility. Another major concern is the normalization of backbiting and slander through digital platforms. Conversations that once took place privately can now be recorded, posted and shared with a vast audience. People may discuss the personal lives of others, reveal private information, mock individuals or circulate embarrassing photographs without considering the consequences. The Qur’an strongly warns against backbiting and compares it to an extremely disturbing act, illustrating the seriousness of harming another person’s honour in their absence. The digital environment can make such behaviour appear harmless because the victim may not be present when the words are written. Yet the absence of the person does not remove the moral responsibility. A social media user should therefore treat every post, comment and private message as an expression of personal accountability. What is forbidden in face-to-face conversation does not become permissible simply because it is typed on a screen. Social media has also contributed to a culture of comparison. People frequently display carefully selected images of their achievements, possessions, travels, appearance and lifestyles. As a result, users may compare their ordinary lives with the carefully edited highlights of others. This can produce dissatisfaction, envy and feelings of inadequacy. Islamic teachings encourage believers to cultivate gratitude and contentment rather than constantly comparing themselves with others.
The concept of shukr, or gratitude, teaches individuals to recognize and appreciate the blessings they possess, while the prohibition of envy protects the heart from destructive comparison. Social media can easily encourage a person to measure success through followers, likes, comments and material displays. Islam, however, measures human worth through faith, character and righteous conduct rather than popularity. A person with millions of followers is not necessarily morally superior to someone who lives quietly without public recognition. The value of an individual lies in their character and relationship with Allah, not in digital popularity. Another significant issue is self-presentation. Social media encourages people to construct public identities that may differ significantly from their real lives. The desire to gain attention can encourage excessive self-display, exaggeration and constant pursuit of approval. Islam teaches sincerity and warns against showing off. While sharing achievements is not inherently wrong, the intention behind public presentation matters. If a person becomes dependent on praise from others, social media can gradually influence their self-worth. Muslims are therefore encouraged to examine their intentions and ask whether their online activities are genuinely beneficial or primarily designed to obtain admiration.
The principle of ikhlas, or sincerity, provides an important moral framework for navigating this environment. Social media has also affected the quality of human relationships. Digital communication makes it possible to remain connected with people across great distances, but constant online interaction does not necessarily produce deep relationships. In some cases, people may spend hours communicating with strangers while neglecting family members sitting in the same room. Parents and children may be physically together but psychologically separated by their individual screens. Islamic teachings place great importance on family relationships, kindness to parents, care for children and maintaining meaningful bonds with relatives and neighbours. Technology should strengthen these relationships rather than replace them. A balanced approach requires individuals to recognize that digital connection cannot completely substitute for personal presence, conversation and compassion. One of the most concerning aspects of social media is its influence on young people. Children and adolescents are exposed to enormous quantities of content, much of which they may not have the maturity to evaluate critically. They can encounter vulgar language, harmful challenges, unrealistic beauty standards, aggressive behaviour and materialistic lifestyles. Repeated exposure can gradually influence attitudes and normalize behaviours that may conflict with Islamic moral values. Parents and educators therefore have an important responsibility to guide young people in digital environments. The objective should not simply be to prohibit technology but to teach responsible use. Young people need to understand how algorithms influence what they see, how online content can be manipulated and how digital behaviour can affect their mental, social and moral development. Islamic education can contribute to this process by teaching principles of modesty, respect, truthfulness and self-control. Modesty is another area significantly affected by digital culture.
Social media has made personal images and private aspects of life increasingly public. Islam emphasizes modesty and dignity and teaches believers to protect their privacy and honour. This does not mean rejecting every form of online presence, but it does require careful consideration of what should be publicly displayed. A person should ask whether a particular image, video or statement protects their dignity and respects the dignity of others. The digital world often rewards attention, but Islam teaches that not everything that attracts attention is worthy of being shared. The ability to remain silent, private and dignified can sometimes be more valuable than receiving thousands of views. Online arguments present another challenge. Social media platforms often encourage quick reactions rather than thoughtful discussion. A person may respond to a disagreement with insults, ridicule or anger because they feel protected by the distance of the screen. Islamic teachings encourage believers to speak in the best manner and to avoid unnecessary conflict. Differences of opinion are natural, but disagreement should not destroy human dignity. Muslims should therefore develop an online culture of respectful dialogue. If a discussion becomes abusive or unproductive, leaving it may be wiser than continuing it. Not every argument needs to be won, and not every comment requires a response. Self-control is an important part of Islamic character.
“Islam views social media as a test of moral character, emphasizing that timeless ethical principles—truth, dignity, modesty, and accountability—apply equally online. Rather than measuring worth through digital metrics like followers or likes, Muslims are urged to use technology responsibly to promote truth, knowledge, and social well-being.”
Social media can also contribute to the spread of hate and social division. Content designed to provoke anger often receives significant attention because emotional reactions increase engagement. Users may become trapped in cycles of outrage, repeatedly consuming content that strengthens hostility toward people who belong to different communities, backgrounds or schools of thought. Islam emphasizes human dignity, justice and peaceful coexistence. While Muslims may disagree with ideas or actions, disagreement should not become an excuse for hatred, false accusation or collective humiliation. Responsible social media use requires the ability to distinguish criticism from abuse and disagreement from hostility. Another major issue is the misuse of privacy. People sometimes share screenshots of private conversations, personal photographs or confidential information without permission. Such behaviour can cause emotional and social harm. Islamic teachings strongly value trust and prohibit betrayal. A private conversation should generally be treated as a trust unless there is a legitimate reason to disclose it. The digital environment makes this principle particularly important because information shared privately can be reproduced and distributed almost instantly. Users should therefore develop a strong sense of digital confidentiality and respect for the privacy of others. Commercial culture on social media has also contributed to increasing materialism. Influencers and advertisements can create the impression that happiness depends on expensive clothing, luxury products, travel and physical appearance. Young people may begin to judge themselves and others according to possessions. Islam does not prohibit lawful wealth or beauty, but it teaches moderation and warns against extravagance and attachment to worldly possessions. Wealth is a blessing and a responsibility, not the ultimate measure of success. Social media users should therefore learn to distinguish genuine needs from artificial desires created by constant exposure to advertising and consumer culture. Another concern is the misuse of time.
Islam gives great importance to time and encourages human beings to use their lives productively. Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged, often encouraging them to scroll continuously from one piece of content to another. Hours can disappear without meaningful activity. Excessive screen time can reduce time available for prayer, family, study, work, reading, exercise and reflection. Muslims should therefore develop discipline in their digital habits. Technology should remain a tool under human control rather than becoming a force that controls human attention. Setting limits on screen use, avoiding unnecessary scrolling and creating periods free from digital distractions can help restore balance. The Islamic concept of accountability is particularly relevant to social media. Muslims believe that human actions are known to Allah and that individuals are accountable for what they say and do. This principle should apply equally to online behaviour. A person should not assume that an anonymous account removes responsibility. Hidden identities may conceal a person from other users, but they do not conceal actions from Allah. Every comment, message, image and post can become part of a person’s moral record. This awareness can encourage greater self-control. Before posting something harmful, a believer can pause and ask: Would I be comfortable saying this in front of my parents, teachers or community? More importantly, would I be comfortable being accountable for it before Allah? Such questions can transform online behaviour. At the same time, social media should not be viewed only negatively. When used responsibly, it can become a powerful instrument for education, charitable work, community development and the dissemination of beneficial knowledge.
Islamic lectures, Qur’an learning, educational resources, humanitarian campaigns and constructive discussions can reach people across geographical boundaries. A small act of kindness can inspire thousands, and useful knowledge can be shared with people who might otherwise have limited access to it. Muslim writers, teachers, researchers and educators can use digital platforms to promote learning and moral awareness. The challenge is therefore not to abandon technology but to use it according to ethical principles. A balanced Islamic approach recognizes both opportunities and risks. The solution begins with moral awareness. Users should cultivate habits of verification, modesty, sincerity, respect, self-control and responsibility. Parents should guide children without creating an environment in which technology becomes a source of secrecy and rebellion. Teachers should educate students about digital citizenship and information literacy. Religious scholars and community leaders can address emerging digital issues with wisdom and practical guidance. Schools can teach students that responsible communication is part of good character, whether communication occurs in a classroom or on a social media platform. Most importantly, individuals must take responsibility for their own digital choices. Social media itself is neither inherently moral nor immoral. Its ethical character depends largely on how it is used. A platform can be used to spread knowledge or misinformation, kindness or hatred, truth or falsehood, reconciliation or division. The same technology can produce very different outcomes depending on the intentions and behaviour of its users.
Islam provides a framework through which Muslims can navigate this complex environment without rejecting beneficial technological developments. The essential question is not how many followers a person has, how many likes a post receives or how much attention an account attracts. The more important question is whether the digital presence of a person contributes to truth, dignity, knowledge, compassion and social well-being. In conclusion, social media has changed the methods through which people communicate, but it has not changed the principles that govern responsible human behaviour. Truth remains truth, regardless of whether it is spoken or posted; backbiting remains harmful whether it occurs in a gathering or a group chat; dignity remains valuable whether a person is physically present or represented through an image; and accountability remains real whether an action is public or hidden behind a screen. Islamic teachings provide enduring principles for navigating the digital age: verify information before spreading it, guard the tongue and keyboard from harmful speech, respect privacy, avoid envy and excessive comparison, maintain modesty, control anger, use time wisely and communicate with kindness. Social media can either weaken moral values or become a means of strengthening them. The choice depends on how individuals use the technology placed in their hands. For Muslims, responsible digital behaviour should therefore be understood as part of Islamic character itself. The digital world is not outside the sphere of morality; it is another arena in which faith, character and responsibility are tested. When social media is guided by truth, wisdom, modesty and compassion, it can become a powerful instrument for education, community building and positive social change. The real challenge of the digital age is not simply learning how to use technology, but learning how to remain human, ethical and responsible while using it.
(The authors write regularly for Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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