This article was first published on 17 August 2022 and has since been updated as of October 2026

Social media is no longer just a way to keep in touch. It is where many of us get our news, shop, learn, unwind and form opinions about the world. What we like, comment on, search for and spend time viewing can influence what appears on our feeds next. Over time, our feeds can become increasingly tailored to our interests, making it easy to keep scrolling first thing in the morning, during our commute or last thing at night. While this brings convenience, it also calls for greater awareness of how we use these platforms.

What we see and engage with online can shape how we view others, ourselves and the world around us. So how can we navigate social media while staying true to our values?

Islam does not give us a list of platform rules. It gives us principles about knowledge, time, the heart and our relationships. Here are five of them, and what they look like in practice.

Verify before you believe or share

It is tempting to assume that something shared widely must be true. But virality measures how fast something spreads, not whether it is accurate. Rumours, scams and online pile-ons can all spread when people share first and check later.

Verifying what we see online has become more challenging with artificial intelligence (AI). Images can be generated, voices cloned and screenshots fabricated in seconds. AI chatbots can also produce answers that sound confident but may be inaccurate. “AI said it” or “I saw it online” is not the same as “it is true.”

Islam asks us to verify before we act on news, a principle known as tabayyun. Allah s.w.t. says:

  يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ أَن تُصِيبُوا۟ قَوْمًۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ

"O you who believe, if a wrongdoer brings you news, verify it, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and then regret what you have done."

(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:6)  

The Prophet s.a.w. also said:

كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ كَذِبًا أَنْ يُحَدِّثَ بِكُلِّ مَا سَمِعَ

"It is enough of a lie for a person to narrate everything they hear."

(Sahih Muslim)

In other words, we may end up spreading falsehood simply by passing it on without checking. Every share carries a responsibility to verify what we are passing on.

In practice: When a post is sensational, emotional, or makes serious claims about someone, pause before sharing it. Check the information against credible news outlets or official sources. For claims relating to Singapore, you can also refer to MUIS Clarifies and Factually. If you cannot verify something, do not share it. 

"Just one more...": Beware of doomscrolling

Doomscrolling is when we keep scrolling through content, often negative, long after it has stopped being useful or enjoyable. It might be bad news, arguments in the comments or videos we will barely remember tomorrow. 

Long periods of scrolling, particularly late at night, can leave us feeling tired, distracted or emotionally drained. The feed may seem endless, but we can choose when to step away.

The Prophet s.a.w. said:

نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ 

"There are two blessings which many people lose out on: health and free time." 

(Sahih al-Bukhari) 

Our time is an amanah, a trust from Allah. Hours spent on a feed we did not even enjoy are hours we cannot get back. 

In practice:
•    Keep your phone out of reach at bedtime.
•    Turn off non-essential notifications to reduce the temptation to check your phone.

When you notice that you are scrolling out of habit rather than purpose, take it as a cue to step away.

Scroll with purpose

The more accounts and pages we follow, the more varied our feed becomes, and the harder it is to focus. Our mind hops from one post to another before we have properly taken in the last. Over time, we get used to content that is short and attention-grabbing, and lose patience for anything that needs deeper thought. 

In Islam, every action is shaped by its niyyah, or intention. Going online with a clear purpose, even if it is simply to relax, can help us use our time more intentionally.

In practice: Before opening an app, ask yourself why you are there. If it is to read the morning news or find a recipe, do that first. You can then set aside some time to browse freely, and know when it is time to stop.

Read: The power of intention in Islam: 3 things you need to know

Guard your heart, whether you’re scrolling or posting

Social media often shows us the highlights of other people’s lives, while revealing little of their struggles. Comparing our ordinary days with someone else’s best moments can quietly lead to envy (hasad), insecurity or resentment. This is different from ghibtah: admiring the blessings Allah has given others  and hoping for similar goodness for ourselves, without wishing for their blessings to be taken away. 

It also helps to know when something does not require our involvement. The Prophet s.a.w. said:

مِنْ حُسْنِ إِسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ

"Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is leaving what does not concern them."

(Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

Not every post needs our reaction, and not every argument needs our opinion.

The same care applies to what we post. What we say and share online is part of how we conduct ourselves as Muslims. Sharing what is beneficial and uplifting can bring good to others. We can also be thoughtful about how much of our lives and  blessings we choose to put on display. 

In practice: When you see someone’s good news, make dua for Allah to bless them. If an account consistently leaves you feeling worse, consider muting or unfollowing it. And ask Allah to keep your heart steady:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
"O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion." (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

Read: 4 lessons on adab in advocacy

Be present

Social media helps us stay connected with people, but sometimes our attention online can come at the expense of the people right in front of us. It can be tempting to retreat into our feeds during a family gathering, a quiet moment or an awkward social situation. 

The people around us have rights over us: our parents, spouses, children, friends and neighbours. Being present and giving them our attention is one way we honour those relationships.

In practice: Set phone-free times, such as meals, family time or the hour before bed. When you are with someone, be fully with them. 

A final reflection

Social media is a tool. Like any tool, it can bring benefit or harm depending on how we use it. Allah s.w.t. reminds us:

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًا

"And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart, all of these will be questioned."

(Surah Al-Isra', 17:36)

What we watch, what we read, what we share and what we allow into our hearts all matter. So the next time you reach for your phone, ask yourself: am I using social media, or is it using me?

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