Alhamdulillah!
You are reading this post because of many blessings in your life right now.
Correct?
If you haven’t thought about it before, STOP and say a heartfelt alhamdulillah.
”So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?” (Ar-Rahman, 55:48)
The blessings in life:
From among the favors bestowed on you are the blessings of time, senses and intellect; to those of your material possessions such as clothing, laptop, smart phone and other resources such as Internet. These are few blessings from among many others. And they are all yours to benefit freely from, as referenced in the following popular hadith:
”Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death.” 1
You will also be questioned and held accountable regarding these blessings and favors. This is captured in the following Qur’an verse:
”Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.” (At-Takathur 102: 8)
Muslim youth and technology:
Many youth have taken to the pleasures of technology like fish to water. They cannot be separated from their devices for more than a few minutes; it goes with them from bed to breakfast, school to salah, outings with friends to private family time.
From smiles to salaams, most of their actions become robotic. The mind, body and soul is distracted and deprived their rightful nourishment. Instead, all attention and pleasure is focused on those ‘special devices’.
It is from Allah’s wisdom that He created man with a high level of intellect. He also facilitated it for man to be able to use that intellect to invent technology – to fulfill his duties, solve everyday problems and make life on this temporal earth much easier. This is all in preparation for his everlasting home in the akhirah.
For the wise ones – technology should increase you in taqwa and gratitude.
Agree?
Well, we know that in reality, it really isn’t so.
Boon of technology:
There is no doubt, technology brings many benefits to Muslims individually and to the Ummah at large.
Some of the benefits are:
- As a research tool, making search and information gathering easier;
- As a means of raising awareness: Helping spread awareness about current and important issues e.g., through social media, blogs, eBooks;
- As a source of inviting to the truth: Through creating websites, mobile applications and web applications that help people come closer to Islam;
- Teaching about Islam: Helping to spread the truth, curb falsehood and helping to clear misconceptions about Islam;
- Positioning Muslim callers (duaat) and Islamic centers online in today’s highly connected world.
- Support and networking opportunities: Making helping services available to people worldwide from mentoring, counseling, coaching and other similar services.
And much more.
Bane of technology:
On the other hand, technology has exposed Muslims, especially the youth, to evil of various forms. Some of these include:
- Free mixing;
- Exposure of awrah;
- Easy access to and sharing of false/ deviant information;
- Wasteful spending of time and distraction from purposeful activities;
- Viewing, creating and sharing immoral content such as pornography (and other sex related content) ultimately leading to desensitization, depression and addiction.
And much more.
What should the attitude of a believing youth be? Because nothing in the life of a believer is done without purpose.
Nothing in the life of a believer is done without a purpose.
”And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56)
Here are 5 pro tips to help you to start acting purposefully with technology from today:
Tip 1. Self control
Fight your nafs so you can have positive control over your desires. Learn to also guide and guard your thoughts/ acts as you engage with technology from day-to-day.
“But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:40-41)
Tip 2. Lower your gaze
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet
said: “…the adultery of the eyes is looking (at [that] which is not allowed)…” 2
So lower your gaze even while using your devices. If your gaze falls upon something immoral, take positive action. Remember to keep your sight pure to earn Allah’s pleasure in this dunya and also in anticipation of seeing Him in jannah.
Tip 3. Learn to say NO to pressures
Whether its coming from friends, family, culture or community, say no to anything that you know is wrong and displeasing to Allah 
or what you know clashes with your Islamic identity. Say yes instead to what will make you a beloved of your Creator.
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Tip 4. Count your digital footprint
Take yourself into account before you are questioned. Think and ask yourself questions such as, what technologies am I spending my money, time and intellect on? Are they worth it? Will my digital footprint count for or against me on the Day of Judgment? Then, review and refine your habits.
“The son of Adam will not pass away from Allah until he is asked about five things: how he lived his life, and how he utilized his youth, with what means did he earn his wealth, how did he spend his wealth, and what did he do with his knowledge.” 4
Tip 5. Use it to add value
Learn IT skills, design programs and other computer programs. Then, turn your knowledge and understanding of how technology works into a beneficial gift to others. Just as the believer has been likened to a date tree, aim to add value to all those who come into contact with you. Teach others, encourage and support them towards having a positive technology experience.
Be an ambassador
”And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-An’am, 6:165)
As a Muslim youth, you are an ambassador and must always remember and act as such. You must always utilize technology in a way that benefits Islam, Muslims and the world at large. Reflect on your blessings, be thankful and patient with them and start acting truly to your role. The Muslim youth and technology should be humble not heedless; informed not ignorant; and patient not pressured. Whether it’s a tap, swipe, send, share, like or simple viewing – remember you are ambassador – invest your time smartly, safeguard your actions wisely and give thanks for your blessings profusely.
Over to you – In what other ways can Muslim youth utilize technology purposefully?
25 replies on “How to Deal with Technology Like a Believer: Pro Tips for Muslim Youth”
Jazakullah Khair for the great article.The internet is like a knife which we can use either to kill ourselves with it or do something good,like save a person”s life.
Wa iyyak.
You are absolutely right. You have to be objective and God conscious with technology.
Jazak Allah khair!
I can say I learnt few great things from this article. JazakAllah Khairun Kaseera
AOA Learnt much from this article JAZAK ALLAH KHAIR
Wa alaykum salaam wa Rahamtuallah. Wa iyyak.
jazakallahu khairah
[…] simply dismiss such technologies, but rather look closely at their bane and boon as discussed in an earlier post, then take appropriate action. Such technologies, whether they are gaming devices, smart […]
JazakAllah Khair for sharing. Technology indeed can be a useful but as you say self control needs to be exerted with so much available on the internet.
Excellent points highlighting the good and bad. we have amazing tools alhumdulillah but how we use them is what counts
I loved the way how to started this article. I am so thankful to Allah for all the blessings. Such reminders are so great.
Alhamdulillah for all of His blessings – today and always.
Unfortunately i too am a victim of technology. Knowing that its day back home when its night here due to the timing difference…i end up checking my phone and social media in the middle of night when my infant wakes me for a feed.
Thankfully i am not using it in the harmful and sinful manners you covered.
Jazakallah for a great article.
Hina
Wa iyyaki, it can be quite challenging when you have friends and loved ones who live in a different time zone. The key is having balance and the right intention.
Extremely wonderful post…I never thought of these many things we can teach or make them learn…thank you for the organised post….
Masha Allah, you are most welcome. I’m happy you benefitted from it.
Ohh some really great tips you gave! I agree Muslims we are ambassadors and we should use technology to benefit Islam. Great post!
Great article! Feeding onto what you’ve said utilizing technology versus letting it control you is the way to go. I find that it helps to take days to switch off and also keep things in proportion. Tip number 5 too about adding value and connections – those two things are really important to me 🙂
It is a nice post..we can use technology to do good deeds and to increase our knowledge ..we should have the positive control over our desires..
Yes masha Allah, technology must be used for good. Jazaakillah khayr for reading and commenting.
Jazakallah.. very effective and benificial article….
The article woke me from slumber.. JazakAllaah
Masha ALLAH what an inspiring article..hope we get to see more in future..jazaak ALLAHU khairan
Whatever falls on you was never met to miss you and you will be questioned about it, thanks a lot.
Jazak Allahu kheir!
Jazak Allah khair!
nicely written will help InshaAllah