Impacts of Social Media on Muslim Youth – Winning Essay from the 18th (2024) CMO International Youth Essay Competition

This essay, authored by Muhammad Umar Daura, first-place winner in Category B from Umaru Yaradua University, Katsina, offers an in-depth look at how social media influences Muslim youth. Daura explores both the positive aspects, like access to knowledge and global religious exchange and the negative sides, such as the dangers of vanity, indecency, and falsehood.

Introduction:
Social media refers to an electronic means of communication and interaction through which they create, share and exchange ideas and information social media is also used to discuss certain things or to broadcast news. Social media include: live streams, discussion forum, short film video, private community platforms Traditional social networks: snapchat, Tiktokand LinkedIn .Another name for social media is “social platforms”. For the past decade social media has been useful to people especially the youth.

The youth are seen in the forefront in the use of social media as stated by Professor Mohamed Ali Noufal(2020) due to having more access to modern technological gadgets.

In Islam the youth are seen as a unique set of people through which the propagation of the religion can be achieved. The companions of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) include the youth who worked hard in the achievements of Islam.

In the recent times, Muslim youth seek knowledge and share ideas through research and interactions with ulamas and with the use of social platform. This proves to be important in the spread of Islam globally. Allah (SWT) is pleased with those who seek knowledge and spend time seeking for knowledge. Allah says in (58:11): “O you who believe when it is said to you, make room in your assemblies, and then make ample room, Allah will give you ample and when it is said rise up, then rise up. Allah will exalt those of you who are given knowledge in high degrees and Allah is aware of what you do. Also in suratul Fatir (The Originator) “And of men and beast and cattle are various species of it likewise, those of his servants only who possessed of knowledge. Fear Allah; surely Allah is mighty, oft-forgiven (quran35:28).

Quran encourages people towards scientific research .Allah says in Zumar (The Troop) Quran 39:33: Andthe one who brought the truth and those who embrace it –it is they who are the righteous.

In the hadith prophet Muhammad (SAW) said “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” in addition; He said “whoever works in pursuit of knowledge, I facilitate for him the way to jannah.

Social media has its negative sides on the Muslim youth. One of the biggest sin in Islam is shirk (Ar-Riya). It means “show off” it falls into the category of minor shirk. Presence of social media has made Ar-Riya easier to commit through it various platforms. There is a verse in the Quran that talks of Ar-Riya; “So woe unto worshippers who are unmindful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen by men” (Quran107:4-6). There is another quote which says “Like those who spend from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in Allah and the last day. Their example is like a hard rock on which is a little soil, then on falls heavy rain which flows off it and they will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. (Quran2:264). Today we see many posts by youths of acts of Ibadah simply to attract attention of fellow people. The prophet cautions us by saying “what I fear for you the most is minor shirk”. Allah will say on the Day of Judgment when He is rewarding the people for their deeds; Go to those for whom you did riya for in the world and see if you find the reward with them.

Another negative aspect of social media is ease of the spread of indecency among youths. People post naked pictures, illegal relationship between males and females. The Quran cautions in strong terms to “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them… (Quran24:30).

False narratives (lies, fake pictures/videos), are all over the social media, so the youth have to be careful what they choose to use and share with friends. Islam abhors falsehood in its entirety. Prophet Muhammad warns us in hadith 15 of An-nawawi: “…He who believes in Allah and the last day, let him speak good or remain silent” (Bukhari). 

Conclusively, we have seen the positive and negative sides of the social media. So the guiding light for the Muslim youth should be the words of prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Muadh Ibn Jabal which reads;” Fear Allah where ever you are”

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