By Abu Khaliyl, on September 19, 2005 08:52:57

All praise is due to Allah, and may He mention His Last Messenger and grant him peace.

I have done my best to advise some brothers, who administer web forums. Some of these brothers accepted my advice, others insulted me, and others, Allah knows best, may He guide us all.

I have tried to explain that the Muslim should busy himself with learning about his religion, and that internet forums are not a place for that. Rather, they are merely a means of each person expressing what he or she thinks about something, rarely participated in by a scholar or really knowledgeable person. Yet full of people that want to be heard, where every member will find a Shaykh, and every person who desires an audience may find his students.

This is of no benefit to the participants, seeing that they remain logged on the forums, in many cases, nearly all day. They have time to read and post, but do not have time to learn. This is what I have witnessed over the past few years, that the social atmosphere of belonging to this or that club is more important than learning. That the next controversial issue spreading intrigue is more important than busying oneself with learning. That reading what so and so posted on such and such forum is more important than learning.

Let those who insist on spreading fitnah, intending to confuse the readers with their writings beware. Let those who desire to have an audience beware of the gravity of their riya.

Our efforts here have suffered greatly at the hands of some such people, and I have spoken or written to those necessary about these matters, after having advised whomever it is that accepts advice, being surrounded with many who do not...and with Allah is the complaint and the cure.