Today, most of the Islamic content that people watch, listen to and read is accessed via social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc. This is because it is easier to find a trustworthy scholar of proper aqeedah and knowledge online than in your locality. You can listen to the scholar at your convenience. Especially for women, it is not easy to leave the house to attend lectures because of the family’s needs and house chores. Women can listen to lectures while they are cooking, cleaning or even exercising! On top of this, women can also use social media to post Islamic content or teach Islam.
Your home is a halal environment to gain and spread knowledge instead of being out on the streets or centres where there is the possibility of men’s interaction. Allah stated in the Quran: “Settle in your homes, and do not display yourselves as women did in the days of ˹pre-Islamic˺ ignorance.” (Ahzab: 33)
Alhamdulillah, this ayah can be followed physically but improper usage of social media may become like going outside and displaying yourselves if you aren’t careful. So, here are some points that you, as a Muslim woman, should consider while using social media for Islamic purposes.
1- Don’t constantly stare at male scholars in videos: If, in a video lecture, the face of the male scholar is right in front of the camera, it will appear large on your screen to show all the facial features clearly. As a modest Muslim woman, you would never go up to him physically and stare at him from that close – even if he wasn’t looking – so how could you do that on your device? It says in the Quran: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze…” (Nur: 31) Hence, in such cases, change the tab so you don’t see him, minimize the video screen, or look away from the screen unless he is demonstrating something physically that you need to see. Moreover, it’s better to find alternatives such as audio lectures and podcasts to avoid it altogether. (PS: This will also use less data and won’t strain your eyes!)
2- Take care while attending live Islamic meetings:
a) Mixed meeting: Keep your camera off, and make sure that it doesn’t switch on accidentally. Try to just be a listener unless you must ask or answer a question. Of course, it’s best if you communicate by typing but you can also speak provided you don’t use a soft voice deliberately. Do not go off-topic in discussions and communicate only when necessary. If you feel like there is more harm in the meeting than benefit, it’s better to find other Islamic meetings to attend and leave this one.
b) ‘Females-only’ meeting: You can speak more freely provided the participants can be trusted to not let men hear the voices.
3- Careful commenting on social media: The hijab of women shouldn’t be limited to covering their bodies only, but also covering their thoughts. By commenting on social media, you are letting people know your thoughts which is usually unnecessary. If there is an option to comment anonymously, then use it wisely. Otherwise, commenting should only be done when appropriate without any jokes, misleading sentences, or anything which might provoke desire. It is stated in the Quran: “…then do not be overly effeminate in speech ˹with men˺ or those with sickness in their hearts may be tempted, but speak in a moderate tone.” (Ahzab: 32)
4- Sensible posting of Islamic content: This is an excellent form of Dawah in female groups. However, this doesn’t mean you can publicly post pictures or videos of yourself (showing your face) or audio of yourself speaking softly. You also shouldn’t post audio of yourself reciting the Quran on social media where anyone can access it. Moreover, whilst creating Islamic videos, make sure there is no musical background. Instead, you can use no-music nasheeds or vocals to engage the viewers. If you need someone to speak in the background, you can also ask your male relative to do that for you.
5- Giving online lectures: Many of the post-covid lectures are being held online. As a lecturer, you may be unconvinced to give lectures online because you don’t know whether the students are hiding your voice from males. Before giving lectures, it is strongly recommended to communicate your red lines to the students. Let them know that your voice is Amanah (i.e., they need to keep it safe and secret) and that anyone failing to do so will be sinning.
These points summarize some discussions that scholars engage in today. They are just a foundation upon which we will build our method and rules for using social media. Consequently, in sha Allah, all of us Muslim women will be able to use social media in the best way to serve Islam. May Allah guide us all to the straight path, keep us away from the satanic traps of social media, and put barakah in our acts. Ameen.
