:sl:
These points also can apply to using IslamicBoard Forum. May Allah :swt: allow us to use it in the best way possible. Ameen.
Introduction
Unless you have being living under a rock or in a cave for the past few years, you know that hundreds and millions of people from every race, gender, ethnicity, and religion are rushing towards social media networks. However, like every other tool they are effective when used properly, on the contrary, if approached in an inappropriate and unauthorized manner, it can have negative effects in your spiritual as well as your worldly life. Islam has covered every aspect of human life, whether economic, cultural individual or social. Since social media has turned out to be a necessary part of every Muslim’s day-to-day life, I have pulled together some guidelines from authentic Islamic sources which will help out every Muslim to gain the actual benefits from social media and avoid its downside. I suggest every Muslim to read these six points before getting through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc..
Personal Life
When it comes to sharing your personal life on social media, there must be a fine limit in how much you should and shouldn’t share publicly. If you are uncomfortable with something you are going to share, use your best judgment and avoid it at any cost. Posting personal pictures has become a trend among not only Muslims but everyone nowadays. According to some reports, uploading your personal or family’s pictures are the most hazardous thing to share on the social websites; most probably your pictures will end up being used to scam or cyber bullying. So whatever you are posting don’t forget that Allah is watching and the angels who record your deeds are not switched off even when you are online.
Arguments
Arguments Vain arguments should be strictly avoided. We must learn to tolerate other people’s views, because social media is a platform where people share their personal opinions and beliefs. Starting an argument over stuff that doesn’t concern you shows how much annoying you are and additionally will give people a bad impression about our peaceful religion. Sometimes you will find it hard to agree with something someone has posted, but it is better for you to avoid disagreeing with them which will eventually lead to an frustrating argument. It is a common saying to either speak well or to keep quiet. Hurting people’s feelings is a pretty huge sin too.
Foul Language
As we all know social media is an excellent way of connecting and interacting with others. You might feel like you can say anything that comes out of your mind, but it’s important to realize that using foul languages and cursing are not appreciated online. Others might see the comments or posts that you have made, and it can cost you your friends and/or even your family life. You should not say anything on the social media that you won’t say face-to-face to someone. Islam has given special attention to conversation; its style, its etiquette and directions, because the words that comes out from a man’s mouth reveal his intellectual grade and his moral nature. Before posting anything, take a glance at yourself and ask “Will my post benefit someone or will it hurt anyone?” If the response is that it’s beneficial, then proceed, else avoiding it will prove to be a lot better, because to avoid causing troubles is a worship of large rewards. “It is the excellence of a man’s faith that he gives up meaningless work” (Tirmizi)
Anything Immodest
Posting comments or pictures which are related to sexism is not an act of a Muslim. Maybe your non-Muslim friends and co-workers are seeing what you post and they could stereotype that Islam is an immodest and a filthy religion. Islam encourages modesty and it is an important part of our faith. If you lack any form of modesty then it is most likely that your faith is extremely weak. “ Imaan has some sixty or seventy branches, and modesty is an important part of Imaan” (Bukhari)
Exposing Sins
Committing a sin is extremely common as we are human beings and no one is perfect unless you are God. One commits many sins on a daily basis just like everyone else but where some people cross the line is when they expose their own sins to others and are proud of it. Although Allah has concealed your faults and protected your honor, why do you share it with others online or offline? I’ll give you a small example or two. 1) Sometimes, we’ve heard many Muslims say, “I couldn’t sleep yesterday or was bored (or any other reason) so I listened to music to sleep or to get out of boredom”. Have you not heard anyone say that? 2) Some may say, “I lied to my (someone) yesterday and they believed me. Haha, they are so stupid/gullible” I, personally have heard many people say that either to me or to someone else. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned: “All of my nation will be will be forgiven except for those who make their sins public”.
Complaining
We all live in a world where people are dying from hunger and poverty and others dealing with protests, tornadoes, Tsunami and extremist
attacks, and some others with financial and family problems. In this manner, no one is free from troubles and distress, but trying to deal with them by shouting and complaining on Social media won’t provide you with any help, rather it will make it worse. The only perfect way of getting around your problems is to seek the help from Allah, in whose hands rest all solutions for you affairs. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to say this prayer over and over: “O Allah, Yours is the praise, You are the one whose help we seek, You are the one we rely, Your is the aid we seek. There is no might and strength except from Allah, the High and the Almighty”.
Source