There was a time when seeing something inappropriate made you uncomfortable then you would look away, you would know immediately that it was wrong.
But after seeing it repeatedly online, something changed, you became used to it then you started laughing at it.
Eventually, you stopped seeing anything wrong with it, that is the danger of normalisation.
Something doesn’t become right simply because you see it everywhere.
THE INTERNET CAN CHANGE YOUR SENSE OF NORMAL
Social media exposes us to thousands of opinions, lifestyles, trends and behaviours every day.
Some are beneficial, others can quietly change our values.
You may repeatedly see people mocking religion, displaying their private lives, promoting inappropriate relationships, glorifying wealth, insulting others or making sins look entertaining.
At first, you may disagree but constant exposure can make the unusual seem normal and once something feels normal, it becomes easier to participate in it.
“EVERYONE DOES IT” IS NOT A REASON
One of the most dangerous phrases young people can say is:
“Everyone is doing it.”
Everyone is posting it.
Everyone is talking like that.
Everyone is dating.
Everyone is showing their bodies.
Everyone is making those jokes.
Everyone is doing those challenges.
But Islam does not measure right and wrong by popularity.
Something does not become halal because millions of people do it.
And something does not become harmless simply because it is trending.
As a Muslim, your standard should not be “What is everyone doing?”
Your standard should be:
“What is pleasing to Allah?”
WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR HEART?
Think about your social media feed.
What do you see every day? What kind of language do you constantly hear? What kind of relationships are being presented to you?
What kind of lifestyle are you being encouraged to desire? What makes you laugh? What makes you jealous? What makes you angry?
What makes you want to become someone you’re not?
Your feed may seem harmless, but what you repeatedly consume can influence your thoughts and behaviour.
The heart is affected by what we allow into our lives.
WHEN SIN BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT
One of the saddest things about today’s online culture is that sometimes sins are no longer presented as sins.
They are presented as jokes, entertainment, trends, content.
A person may be doing something wrong, but thousands of people are laughing in the comments.
When we constantly consume this kind of content, we can lose our sensitivity towards what Allah has prohibited.
That’s why we need to be intentional about what we watch.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO FOLLOW EVERY TREND
Trends come and go.
Today’s viral challenge will eventually disappear.
Today’s popular phrase will eventually be forgotten.
Today’s influencer will eventually move on to something else.
But your choices have consequences beyond the internet.
Before joining a trend, ask: Is this permissible? Does it protect my dignity? Would I be comfortable knowing Allah sees me doing this?
Am I doing this because I genuinely want to, or because I want attention? If something goes against your values, you are allowed to say no even if everyone else says yes.
YOUR DIGITAL LIFE IS PART OF YOUR LIFE
Sometimes people behave differently online because they think nobody really knows them.
But Allah knows. The screen does not hide anything from Him, the private account does not hide anything from Him.
The deleted post does not hide anything from Him, the message you think nobody will see does not escape His knowledge.
Remembering that can change the way we use our phones.
CLEAN YOUR DIGITAL SPACE
You don’t have to delete every social media account but perhaps you need to clean up what you consume.
Unfollow accounts that constantly pull you towards things you are trying to avoid.
Mute content that makes you constantly compare yourself.
Leave spaces where people encourage harmful behaviour.
Follow people who teach, inspire and remind you of something beneficial.
Your phone can either become a source of distraction or a tool for good.
DON’T LET THE INTERNET DECIDE YOUR VALUES
The internet is loud, trends are loud, opinions are loud but your faith needs intentionality.
Don’t allow the internet to slowly convince you that everything popular is acceptable.
Protect your eyes,mind,heart and deen, because what you repeatedly see today can become what you accept tomorrow.
Not everything that is normal online should become normal in your life.
3SIXTYISLAM
At 3SixtyIslam, we believe Islamic knowledge should reach every generation. From Hajj and Umrah guidance to practical Islamic lessons for everyday life, our goal is to help Muslims learn, grow and strengthen their connection with Islam.
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