by Fazila Mushtaq
Every single day we fall into the exact same routine; the moment we have a free second, our thumbs automatically go to our phones,we start flicking upward endlessly, chasing the next post, the next short video or the next notification. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube and Snapchat have completely changed how we talk to each other how we learn and how we share our lives but as our world becomes more and more digital we have to face a really important truth: that social media is a double-edged sword whether it brings good into our lives or become a major problem depends entirely on how and why we use it The Bright side of the right mindset: social media actually offers some amazing benefits it has broken down distance, making it incredibly easy for families and friends to stay close and chat instantly no matter how many miles apart they are, for students and anyone who loves to learn it is like a massive free library where we can find helpful online courses, scholarly lectures, research papers and study groups in just a few clicks.
The dark side is the trap of endless scrolling and hidden Anxiety. But despite all these good things, spending too much time on our screens is quietly changing our behaviour for the worse. The way these apps are designed with “infinite scrolling” sets a dangerous trap that leads straight to addiction. We lose track of time, procrastinate on important tasks, and see our productivity drop. For students, the constant ping of notifications completely ruins their focus, which almost always leads to lower grades. Even worse is what it does to our mental health. Social media is basically a highlight reel where people only post their absolute best moments, their wealth, their looks, their vacations, and their happiest days. When we constantly compare our messy, everyday realities to these perfectly edited, idealised lives, it creates a toxic mix of stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a heavy feeling that our own lives just aren’t good enough. On top of that, because people can hide behind a screen, we see a massive rise in cyberbullying, online harassment, and the careless sharing of fake news. When we let online likes replace real-life conversations, our family relationships weaken, and our actual face-to-face social skills begin to rust. From an Islamic viewpoint, social media is just a tool. It doesn’t have a morality of its own; its character comes entirely from the person holding the phone. Islam places a massive emphasis on human dignity, honesty, and privacy. Using these platforms to humiliate someone, share gossip, or spread rumours without checking if they are true goes completely against Islamic ethics. Every single time we are about to post or share something, we need to pause and honestly ask ourselves: Is this true? Is it helpful? Is it respectful?
Islam also strictly warns us against wasting our most precious asset: our time. Allah reminds us of this beautifully in Surah Al-‘Asr (103:1–3): “In time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, encourage one another to the truth, and encourage one another to patience.”
Time is a gift from Allah, and it is a currency we are supposed to invest wisely, not throw away by spending hours mindlessly scrolling through short reels that bring zero benefit to our minds or our souls. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ perfectly described how easily we lose track of this blessing when he said, “There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The heavy anxiety that comes from comparing ourselves to others on social media is something Islam addressed over 1,400 years ago. Constantly looking at everyone else’s “perfect” life easily sparks Hasad (destructive envy) and completely kills our Shukr (gratitude) for the everyday blessings Allah has already given us. To protect our hearts from this digital sickness, the Prophet ﷺ gave us a timeless piece of advice: “Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not underestimate the blessings of Allah.” (Sahih Muslim)
When our phone notifications start pulling us away from our real-life duties, like our Salah (prayers), our studies, and Silat-ur-Rahm (keeping good ties with our parents and family)—the screen is no longer serving us; we are serving the screen. This addiction not only pulls us away from reality, but it also opens the door to bad influences, inappropriate content, and choices that we will eventually deeply regret. The beautiful thing, though, is that the very same phone in your hand can become a source of immense reward (Thawab) if you change your Niyyah (intention). If a believer opens an app with the conscious goal to share beneficial knowledge, encourage good actions, stand up for justice, help a person in need, or keep in touch with relatives, that ordinary act of scrolling completely transforms into a form of Ibādah (worship) that pleases Allah. Note:at the end of the day, social media is neither a total curse nor a perfect blessing; it is simply a mirror that reflects our own self-discipline. When we use it mindfully, it is an amazing tool for education, connection, and spreading good vibes. But when we let it run wild, it drains our time, hurts our mental health, and damages our character as muslims living in a digital world, the path forward is clear: we need to look at our screens through the lens of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. By speaking kindly and truthfully, respecting people’s privacy, filtering out harmful content, and strictly guarding our time, we can finally master the scroll—ensuring our digital footprints help us succeed in this life and the next.
The author can be mailed at fazilamushtaq75@gmail.com
