Let's be clear, social media is FILLED with sin. On the surface, it is fun and lighthearted, but on a deeper level it can suck us into a world that is out of touch with reality to the point where we don't even recognize ourselves. The amount of bad deeds we can get by opening one app is concerning. The amount of women that have taken off their hijabs by comparing themselves over the years should be talked about. The world can be a dark place and the online world only makes it darker.

From Tik Tok, Snapchat, and Instagram, social media is one of the easiest ways to earn rewards - but also sin. This is why it is important to be careful with what we post, say, and see online since we may regret what we do years later, especially if they don't align with Islamic values. Think of social media as a tattoo that is permanent and hard to take off. There is no such thing as hiding your sins if you publicly post them since someone may screen record, screenshot, and share it. It is equally important to monitor what you allow yourself to see and become desensitized to when scrolling through your “for you page” since things like music, unhealthy comparisons, and media addiction can be detrimental in the long term. So be wise about what you post and how you portray yourself as a Muslim woman on any media platform. Of course we've all made mistakes and might even make more; therefore, it is best to take the necessary precautions when using social media in a halal way without doing something online we may regret the next day. Lets see how to consume and use media wisely.

1. Limit screen time

Don't lose sight of the real world. Social media should never be the reason you delay salah, family time, or anything that is more important than brain rot. If you catch yourself consuming hours on end on social media, then try to limit your screen time to certain hours of the day. Simply go to Settings > Screen Time. 

2. You are not invisible

Social media can trap an individual into thinking they can get away with anything they post online even if it is an anonymous account. We are still accountable for what we say to others online whether it is a simple comment or making jokes about others for their struggles and actions by sharing videos with others. Instead, we should focus on reflecting on ourselves before giving opinions about others when opening the app. If we truly care about the ummah, then we should make dua for other Muslims and give proper naseeha (advice according to the hadiths) when guided to.

3. Immunity

If your goal is to become a hijabi or to improve your modesty, try to only follow influencers and content creators that align with your goals. Otherwise you'll most likely compare yourself without realizing it - making your modesty goals harder to attain. If you need to unfollow certain people, even non-influencers, then do it for yourself and Allah swt.

4. Use social media for easy rewards, not bad ones

In today's world, it is easy to gain bad deeds by one simple post: a post with music attached or a post yourself in public with makeup on committing tabarruj, etc. To prevent these bad deeds, take actionable steps to avoid them. Make goals for yourself to skip the music, cover your face if you like to wear makeup, or anything that will help you avoid sins that aren't worth gaining bad deeds in masses for instead of publicizing them. If you take off your hijab or don't wear one, consider staying private on social media to avoid the extra sins. Once again, we never know when we will meet Allah swt, so think twice or even five times before posting. Everything is a test in this dunya, especially in the new age world of social media. 

“All of my Ummah will be excused, except for those who make their sins known.” - Sahih Al Bukhari

5. Associating with others online

When it comes to the online world, we have so much freedom in what we do and who we associate with. Sometimes this freedom can lead to haram quickly. For example, if you go on lives speaking empty talk or having private conversations that are not halal, then reconsider these actions and try to make the wiser decision next time opening social media. Once again, we never know who is watching or sharing these actions with others. The last thing we need is for someone to expose these actions publicly that can lead to disastrous situations. 

“And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks to mislead (men) from the Path of Allâh without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.” Quran 31:6

6. *For the influencers*

Being an influencer has many perks from PR packages and sponsor deals that can lead to a luxurious lifestyle. However, due to their large following and audience, it is even more important to stay protected from nazar (evil eye). Everyone should always recite morning and evening adhkar, the plural of dhikr meaning “remembrance and reminder.” The benefits for reciting the adhkars are plentiful from purification of the heart, enhancing your relationship with Allah swt, protection from evil eye and black magic, and much more. So anyone with large followings, please never skip this step in order to protect yourself spiritually. 

We all have the rightful and honorable duty to represent Islam in the greatest light. Social media, unfortunately, makes it easy for many of us to be led astray and commit haram actions publicly. However, Allah swt is merciful and luckily we have the ability to repent and take proper actions to navigate social media in a halal manner. So, set goals for yourself and do your best to eventually reach them. Reflect on the content you post regularly and think to yourself if you would be okay with your post still being up 10-40 years from now? Think about the image you may give off to non-Muslims or anonymous people that have the ability to screen record everything you do and say online. Social media can be fun and lighthearted, but can very easily and quickly become regretful and daunting. So think twice as we all navigate ourselves through the online world.