Today, in an age known for progress and technology, communication tools are becoming more advanced by the day. As these facilities increase, the grounds for sin and immorality also expand, making access to vice and corruption easier. A mobile phone, though it can be used for beneficial communication, can also become one of the most harmful tools for girls, boys, and society as a whole. People can easily use these devices however they wish, harassing others through phone calls at any time, causing distress and creating opportunities for moral corruption for themselves and others. The same applies to computers and the internet, which most people today are using.
With the arrival of computers and mobile phones in our lives, the harms they carry have also entered our homes. Modern technologies, just as they are considered blessings, can also be dangerous and troublesome. We must always remember that using communication tools properly and in moderation is a commendable and praiseworthy practice. The following points are intended to raise awareness and caution about the misuse of such communication devices.
The Disadvantages of Using the Internet
Numerous studies show that the use of indecent websites is on the rise. Every week, hundreds of new users are added to such sites. Experts and researchers state that the internet is a very dangerous space. One reason for its danger is its unique feature: the ability for users to remain anonymous. This anonymity has made many people more vulnerable. In the past, people did not become morally corrupt in such an unrestrained way, because they had to physically go to places that were risky and stressful—something that acted as a barrier. But now, in the safety and privacy of their homes, people engage in such things without facing any real obstacle.
One of the internet’s most dangerous features is its appeal, the constant temptation to keep browsing and exploring, which eventually leads to strong dependency. For many people, this turns into internet addiction. Those addicted spend extremely long periods online, which negatively affects their social and professional lives.
In many cases, the root of internet addiction lies in a desire to escape anxiety and the tensions of life. According to researchers, individuals who are isolated or struggle in social and interpersonal relationships are more likely to develop such addiction than others.
If you look at the phones or computers of some youth today, you’ll find everything except beneficial and religious programs! It used to be thought that one day these young people would wake up with a nudge—and indeed they often did. Young men, due to their social interactions, outings, participation in religious gatherings, attending Friday and congregational prayers, and joining circles of da’wah and preaching, were expected to eventually abandon sinful behavior. But, sadly and regretfully, today we see that even in the hands of respected young women and girls, mobile phones resemble television channels, filled with hundreds of clips, series, and movies that consume most of their time. Some girls use their phones mainly to listen to music and songs, unaware that indecent music is among the gravest sins, and its prohibition is clearly established in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
As Allah Almighty states in the Noble Qur’an: وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ (Luqman: 6) Translation: “And among the people is he who buys idle talk to mislead others from the way of Allah without knowledge and takes it in ridicule. For such people there is a humiliating punishment.”
Abdullah ibn Abbas said that the term لهو الحدیث (idle talk) refers to music and similar things. Hasan al-Basri said that this verse was revealed regarding music, songs, and such distractions—like storytelling late into the night, joking, or anything that distracts one from the remembrance of Allah. Abdullah ibn Massoud was asked about this verse and replied, “By the One besides whom there is no god, it refers to music.” He repeated this three times to make the meaning clear to the questioner.
There are many similar examples and sayings on this topic. Any fair-minded person who reflects deeply can see the harms of these communication tools. Have we ever considered how misuse of mobile phones has led to devastating consequences? How many families have been torn apart? How many scandals have brought shame to entire relatives and communities? How many children have been left without parents?
Therefore, respected women, the real issue is proper usage. Use these tools appropriately and do not ignore their harmful effects. Communication tools must not distract us from the remembrance of Allah, nor should they cause us to neglect our prayers or the recitation of the Qur’an. May Allah the Exalted grant us sound intellect and profound understanding.
