Negative Effects of Facebook on Islamic perspective
When talking about social networking in Somaliland, we may concentrate mainly on Facebook. The founder of Facebook is Mark Zuckerberg. He is a Jew and a member of a Jewish fraternity called ‘Alpha Epsilon Pie’. The fraternity runs a Zionist organization called ‘Friends of Israeli Armed Forces’. He initially invented software called FaceMash which was used to compare two faces. It was largely used by teenagers to compare two people and bully them. The main philosophy of inventing Facebook was rebellious teenagers using it for fun. No matter how better we use an invention, it will also be used for the basic principle for which it was invented.
Now let’s discuss few disadvantages of social networking:
Now let’s discuss few disadvantages of social networking:
1.1.1.1. Facebook uses bad nicknames:
Facebook is used many a times for trolling (bullying a person). Islam forbids this and asks Muslims not to use nicknames as mentioned in Qur’an as: “O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames.” [Al-Hujuraat 49:11]
Facebook is used many a times for trolling (bullying a person). Islam forbids this and asks Muslims not to use nicknames as mentioned in Qur’an as: “O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames.” [Al-Hujuraat 49:11]
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِنْ نِسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ ۖ بِئْسَ الِاسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ ۚ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ ﴿١١﴾
Fasahad Facebook:
There are a lot of fahsah things going on here. For example searching to girls on these websites and making friendships with non mahrams. Allah asks us to refrain from fahsh and shameful deeds whether they may be open or hidden ones. “…come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly…” [Al-An’am 6:151].
There are a lot of fahsah things going on here. For example searching to girls on these websites and making friendships with non mahrams. Allah asks us to refrain from fahsh and shameful deeds whether they may be open or hidden ones. “…come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly…” [Al-An’am 6:151].
قُلْ تَعَالَوْا أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ مِنْ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿١٥١﴾
If there is a best time to end all bad friendships here (which take us away from Allah and his commands), then it is now and today. Let us end all bad friendships and avoid acts prohibited by Qur’aan and Sunnah. We need to remember that aakhirah is Very important than this. Whenever devil tries to bully you through these means, then it’s suggested to seek refuge from Allah by saying “Auzubillahi minash shaitan ir rajeem”.
Facebook is Gossip point:
People gossip a lot about unnecessary things and waste time for them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6412.
People gossip a lot about unnecessary things and waste time for them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6412.
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ ”.
People become selfish
Research in California says that people become selfish and develop pride. For example, they are concerned about taking good pictures of themselves at all times and post them. They develop the habit of showing off (sometimes pictures after doing religious rights like umrah are also posted)
Facebook makes depression:
People who cannot afford lives like other friends (for example, few friends hang out and enjoy a lot or afford lavish life while others don’t have that) tend to become depressed.
People who cannot afford lives like other friends (for example, few friends hang out and enjoy a lot or afford lavish life while others don’t have that) tend to become depressed.
Fisqi Relation:
It also leads to pre-marital chatting and gossiping, especially between fiancées, which is haraam in Islam.
It also leads to pre-marital chatting and gossiping, especially between fiancées, which is haraam in Islam.
Facebook wastes a time:
People stay late at night and get up late. When asked how many people slept before 12 a.m. and saw the sunrise for the last one week, there were very few hands in the hall.
People stay late at night and get up late. When asked how many people slept before 12 a.m. and saw the sunrise for the last one week, there were very few hands in the hall.
Dawah loses its aim:
People maintain multiple profiles, one for public purpose and one for private and fahsh works. This develops habit of two facedness and hypocrisy. When people do Dawah with double facedness, for example, posting Hadith in Ramzaan and reviews of movies afterwards, in this situation Dawah becomes hollow and shallow. Dawah loses its aim.
People maintain multiple profiles, one for public purpose and one for private and fahsh works. This develops habit of two facedness and hypocrisy. When people do Dawah with double facedness, for example, posting Hadith in Ramzaan and reviews of movies afterwards, in this situation Dawah becomes hollow and shallow. Dawah loses its aim.
Makes laziness:
There is no physical work because of just sitting in front of a PC and generally tend to become lazy. In a country like India where majority of people are not on social networking sites, we find lots of People doing Dawah here and there is no one doing it on the streets. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (taught us to ask Allah to prevent us from anxiety, laziness and cowardice.)
There is no physical work because of just sitting in front of a PC and generally tend to become lazy. In a country like India where majority of people are not on social networking sites, we find lots of People doing Dawah here and there is no one doing it on the streets. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (taught us to ask Allah to prevent us from anxiety, laziness and cowardice.)
Creates a difference in the Islam:
One worst part is that the people who say are indulged in doing Dawah here; often fight over small differences among themselves. Just imagine when a non-believer visits an Islamic page on Facebook and finds us fighting over some Islamic issues, what impression will be left on him?
Let’s discuss the solution. Once Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (saw few of his companions sitting on a street-side having a meeting or chat. He asked them not to sit there)
One worst part is that the people who say are indulged in doing Dawah here; often fight over small differences among themselves. Just imagine when a non-believer visits an Islamic page on Facebook and finds us fighting over some Islamic issues, what impression will be left on him?
Let’s discuss the solution. Once Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (saw few of his companions sitting on a street-side having a meeting or chat. He asked them not to sit there)
. They replied that they discuss important issues and even do Islamic discussions there (This is one of the reasons many of us claim to be on social networking). Then Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, you can sit here provided you do three things:
1. Lower your gaze: In our current context this point tells us that we need to avoid things prohibited by Allah like making friendships with non-mahrams, doing fahsh and shameful things, etc.
2. Return greetings of others: This tells us that we need to showcase all types of good manners as prescribed by Islam
3. Advocate good and forbid evil: We need to make sure we do this at all times whenever we are on social networking sites.
Now is there any specific Fatwa? There is no fatwa condemning it as such. But what is revealed from discussion with authentic scholars is that any invention is innocent in itself. For example, a knife is innocent in itself and can be used for constructive purposes. Similarly, social networking in itself is not haraam but there are many a things in it that which are haraam (as discussed above) and they should be avoided for sure as we as Muslims should remember Aakhirah at all times.
The advice is that if you can resist, then it is well and good to avoid social networking. There are lot many number of people who are not into it, and are happy.
Another important point that needs to be discussed here is that everybody knew that mass communication was the need of the day. But we didn’t tend to invent it ourselves. And when Mark Zuckerberg invents Facebook, he does it according to his desires. Why will he consider Islamic Perspectives while inventing anything?
People should also remember that the responsibility of doing Dawah doesn’t end on Facebook or other sites. We need to call people to the religion of Allah by working among them outside the virtual world of net.
Let us pray to Allah to show us all that which is right near Him as right and all that which is wrong near Him as wrong. Ameen.
Now is there any specific Fatwa? There is no fatwa condemning it as such. But what is revealed from discussion with authentic scholars is that any invention is innocent in itself. For example, a knife is innocent in itself and can be used for constructive purposes. Similarly, social networking in itself is not haraam but there are many a things in it that which are haraam (as discussed above) and they should be avoided for sure as we as Muslims should remember Aakhirah at all times.
The advice is that if you can resist, then it is well and good to avoid social networking. There are lot many number of people who are not into it, and are happy.
Another important point that needs to be discussed here is that everybody knew that mass communication was the need of the day. But we didn’t tend to invent it ourselves. And when Mark Zuckerberg invents Facebook, he does it according to his desires. Why will he consider Islamic Perspectives while inventing anything?
People should also remember that the responsibility of doing Dawah doesn’t end on Facebook or other sites. We need to call people to the religion of Allah by working among them outside the virtual world of net.
Let us pray to Allah to show us all that which is right near Him as right and all that which is wrong near Him as wrong. Ameen.
There is another side effect of Facebook on our society let’s see with me:
Facebook is used by the hundreds of millions of people as a part time activity. The round-the-clock connectivity has enticed other people. Thoughts, ideas, and pictures are shared by people with their friends and family members at Facebook to be re-connected with their former high school classmates, former work mates with whom they have lost contact or as only a way to relax with one of the many Facebook applications that comprise games, puzzles, and quizzes. This type of using Facebook is generally harmless and fun.
However, Facebook is allowed to replace the parts of users’ real lives. In some cases, users will be connected with strangers and users’ real friendships and healthy interactions with others will be replaced. Sometimes Facebook users are unaware of the dangers of the internet issues like hacking. A third party generally writes Facebook applications and that party is capable to allow Trojan horses, viruses, and worms into users’ computer. The third party can let tracking cookies so companies can learn more about users’ internet habits.
Users thought that they are downloading a game, but actually they could be opening up their computer to someone, who can observe their bank statements, passwords, or any other sensitive information on their home computer. Facebook addiction disorder is a modern addition that can affect the young and old alike all over the world. Facebook addiction disorder contains many negative effects given below.
Facebook takes an important role for smuggling of Somaliland youth, when someone migrants in the abroad counties, tries to posts some his picture on his Facebook account to Decorate his friends where he was gone, many youths seems on that picture and tries to make what makes his friend (migrants).
Privacy Blow Up:
Facebook is a social networking website so many people use it to connect with lots of people. In those people, many people can be their identified people but surely some people may be totally new for them. Users cannot keep any information private due to any of the people can get their personal information. So, users must not place their detailed personal data on Facebook.
Does not Care about His/Her Surroundings:
If someone is previously addicted to Facebook, then the possibility is that he/she would not care about his/her surroundings. This person only care about his/her world. Facebook users check their Facebook profile to see who has written on their wall, commented on their photos or commented on their status, etc.; this activity takes them away from spending time with friends and family.
People make a lot of friends in Facebook and interact with them at internet. But in the real world, they have no time to interact with others. Actually, people spend most of their time with the internet and the result is they are reducing their social skills, communication skills as well as verbal skills.
Bad for Health:
Obesity is among the negative effects of Facebook. If people will sit in front of the monitor all the time and will eat snacks then their physical activities will reduce and certainly they will be fatter. If this process will take place the whole month then they will become illness like blood sugar, overweigh caused cholesterol, and also social side: less attractive in front of their opposite sex.
Reduce the Time for Study:
Facebook attract people by allowing them to do time pass with their family, friends, and relatives, whole time. Students also browse Facebook after coming from school and this way, they reduce the time for their study.
Possibility of Conflict:
Many immature people create stupid status, upload embarrassing picture and many other ridiculous actions. By these actions, definitely conflicts can be set up with others. So users need to be aware from these kinds of problems.
Less Family Concern:
Facebook becomes a trend so people are interested to be Facebook users. Users give importance to their Facebook friends and community in comparison to their family members. Actually the words, “Family comes first” are losing their meaning for Facebook users.
Many websites provide information about Facebook Addiction Disorder, with the aim to help users if either they are suffering from Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD), or they are moving to reach that disease. The best treatment for Facebook Addiction Disorder is to find an activity to replace it. Use of Facebook is an enjoyable activity but users need to protect themselves for staying safe. Users need to allow only recognized people to interact with them by using privacy settings. Ensure the computer is sufficiently up-to-date with its virus defense.
Prepared By: Mustafe Abib
Derived from on my thesis book.
Prepared By: Mustafe Abib
Derived from on my thesis book.
