The Importance of Responsible Use of Social Media:
In his book "Shortcut for a Better Life," Ziad Rayess highlights the importance of spreading awareness about the responsible use of social media. He contends that we shouldn’t share things publicly without reviewing or keeping track of what we're sharing. He also emphasizes the need to protect our privacy and not disclose or publicize our sins.
In his book "Shortcut for a Better Life", the writer Ziad Rayess mentions: It’s become important to spread the requisite awareness about use of social media. I don’t just mean not hurting people or spreading information without verifying it first, with the negative effects of such act. There is actually another issue of no less importance: we’ve developed a bad habit of sharing the events and situations we take part in, completely publicly, without reviewing or keeping track of what we’re sharing. Many of the situations people share about themselves on social media should be kept private.
I am not discussing the actions themselves and whether they are legal or religiously permissible or not. I mean that it’s important to refrain from posting them or sharing these actions on personal social media pages like Instagram or Snapchat, among others.
It comes to my mind here a famous incident in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). One of the Prophet’s companions, Huzzal al-Aslami, asked Maiz al-Aslami—who had committed adultery—to confess to what had happened before the Prophet and be punished. The Prophet told Huzzal, “By God, Huzzal, if you had covered him with your garment, it would have been better than what you have done.”
Therefore, it is highly important not to play the role of Maiz and disclose or broadcast our sins. It is also important not to play the role of Huzzal in encouraging that behavior by exchanging gossip that brings disgrace to our loved ones and siblings. This is true even if you merely disapprove or are indifferent to the fact that information is spreading or if you’re not aware of the negative consequences of what’s happening. You may do this out of complacency regarding violations of Islamic law or because you consider their effects inconsequential.
On the other hand, I want to point out another important dimension illustrated in the story of a funeral procession that passed in front of the companions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Whomever you have wished well, they will be sent to paradise. And whomever you have wished evil upon, they will be sent to hell. You are God’s witnesses on earth.”
So don’t make yourself known for your sins, even if they are negligible, and maintain your privacy. Always ask for pardon and forgiveness from the generous God.
Conclusion:
Ziad Rayess' book concludes by reminding us of the great influence our actions have on social media. Oversharing personal information and events can have serious consequences, leading to public embarrassment and even legal repercussions. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of what we share and with whom. We can live a better and more fulfilling life by maintaining our privacy and avoiding publicizing our transgressions. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught, we should always seek God's forgiveness and mercy, no matter how small our sins may be, and avoid making ourselves known for our sins.
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