بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Every scroll is a trade—your time for emptiness, your focus for fragmentation, your heart for distraction. The Salaf fled from fitnah, yet we invite it into our pockets daily, mistaking viral clips for knowledge and likes for validation. But what happens when psychology and the Qur’an agree? This isn’t just wasted time—it’s a spiritual heist.
From dopamine traps that mirror gambling addiction to algorithms designed to breed discontent, modern research now confirms what scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and al-Fawzān warned about centuries ago: a soul fed by screens starves in worship.
Ready to break free? Let’s dissect the the deadly illusions social media sells—and how the Salaf’s path offers the only real escape.”*
In an age where social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter dominate our lives, it is crucial for Muslims—especially those upon the Manhaj as-Salaf—to recognize their harms and distance themselves from them. Many Salafī scholars have warned against these platforms due to their numerous dangers, including:
1. Waste of Time & Distraction from Dhikr & ‘Ilm
Social media is designed to be addictive, consuming hours that could be spent in Qur’ān, seeking knowledge, or performing good deeds. The Salaf were careful with their time, and today, many Muslims lose precious hours scrolling through useless content.
2. Exposure to Fitnah (Trials)
These platforms are filled with free-mixing, indecent images, music, and sinful speech. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned: “A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.” (Abu Dāwūd, authenticated by Al-Albānī). Many “friends” and “followers” on social media may lead one astray.
3. Spread of Misinformation & False ‘Ulama
Social media gives a platform to ignorant speakers and deviant callers who distort the true Manhaj. Unlike structured learning (like YouTube lectures of known scholars), short clips and tweets often misrepresent the Dīn.
4. Pride & Showing Off (Riyā’)
Posting deeds, pictures, or achievements for likes is a slippery slope towards Riyā’ (showing off). Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said: “The love of praise leads to self-admiration, and that destroys good deeds.”
5. Arguments & Division
Endless debates in comment sections lead to disunity and hardened hearts. The Salaf avoided unnecessary arguments, unlike many today who waste time defending opinions online.
A Salafī Alternative: Beneficial Platforms
Instead of social media, use platforms that provide full beneficial content, such as:
- YouTube (for full lectures of trusted scholars)
- Islamic websites (like Sunnah.com, Islamqa.info)
- Telegram (for audio lessons and books without distractions)
Advice from the Scholars
Shaykh Sālih al-Fawzān (حفظه الله) said: “Do not waste your time with these social media platforms; they are a cause of corruption.” Similarly, Shaykh Rabī’ al-Madkhalī (حفظه الله) warned against the fitnah of these apps.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison showing how modern psychologists support the warnings of Salafī scholars against social media, along with notable figures from both fields:
| Dangers of Social Media | Salafī Scholars’ Warnings | Psychologists’ Findings | Notable Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addiction & Time-Wasting | “Do not waste time on useless speech.” (Ibn Taymiyyah) “Social media is a cause of corruption.” (Sh. Al-Fawzān) | Social media triggers dopamine addiction, similar to gambling. (Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford) | Sh. Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān Dr. Anna Lembke (Neuroscientist) |
| Mental Health Decline | “Excessive speech hardens the heart.” (Ibn al-Qayyim) “Avoid envy and showing off (Riyā’).” (Sh. Ibn Bāz) | Social media increases depression, anxiety, and envy due to comparison. (Dr. Jean Twenge, iGen) | Sh. Ibn Bāz Dr. Jean Twenge (Psychologist) |
| Shortened Attention Span | “Seek knowledge properly, not in fragments.” (Sh. Al-Albānī) | Short-form content (TikTok, Reels) reduces focus & memory retention. (Dr. Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism) | Sh. Al-Albānī Dr. Cal Newport (Computer Scientist) |
| Anger & Online Arguments | “The believer does not insult, curse, or speak obscenely.” (Prophet ﷺ) “Avoid useless debates.” (Sh. Rabī’ al-Madkhalī) | Online arguments increase cortisol (stress hormone) and aggression. (Dr. Andrew Franklin, Cyberpsychology Expert) | Sh. Rabī’ al-Madkhalī Dr. Andrew Franklin |
| Sleep Disruption | “Early bedtime is a blessing.” (Prophet ﷺ) “Nighttime should be for worship or rest.” (Ibn al-Jawzī) | Blue light from screens disrupts melatonin, causing insomnia. (Dr. Matthew Walker, Why We Sleep) | Ibn al-Jawzī Dr. Matthew Walker (Sleep Scientist) |
| Pride & Self-Display (Riyā’) | “Beware of showing off, it destroys deeds.” (Ibn Taymiyyah) | “Social media encourages narcissism & validation-seeking.” (Dr. Sherry Turkle, MIT) | Ibn Taymiyyah Dr. Sherry Turkle (Psychologist) |
| Misinformation & Fake Scholars | “Take knowledge from known, trustworthy scholars.” (Sh. Ibn ‘Uthaymīn) | “Algorithms promote misinformation & extremism.” (Dr. Robert Epstein, Search Engine Manipulation Effect) | Sh. Ibn ‘Uthaymīn Dr. Robert Epstein (Behavioral Psychologist) |
Conclusion: A Unified Warning
Both Salafī scholars and psychologists agree that social media:
✔ Wastes time (addiction)
✔ Harms mental health (depression, envy)
✔ Encourages arrogance (Riyā’)
✔ Disrupts sleep & focus
✔ Spreads misinformation
“The intelligent person avoids what corrupts the heart.” (Ibn al-Qayyim)
“Digital minimalism is essential for mental well-being.” (Dr. Cal Newport)
Solution: Replace social media with structured learning (YouTube lectures, books, in-person study circles) to protect both Īmān and mental health.
As Salafīs, we must prioritize our ‘Aqīdah and Akhlaq by avoiding what harms our Dīn. Let us return to the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the explanations of the ‘Ulama—without the distractions of social media.
“And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect.” (At-Talāq 65:2-3)
May Allah protect us from the fitan of this time and keep us steadfast upon the Manhaj as-Salaf as-Sālih.
Wasallallāhu ‘alā Nabiyyinā Muhammad.
#Salafi #Manhaj #SocialMediaWarning
