THE FITNAH CALLED SOCIAL MEDIA

By

Ustadh Olatunji Ibrahim 

22nd November 2024

Al-Imām Al-Bukhārī reported in his Saheeh about the signs of the last hour from the hadeeth of A'wf bn Mālik Al-Ashjaī':

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Then, a trial will come, and no Arab house will remain untouched by it." [Narrated by Bukhari (3176)]

Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan commented on the report saying:

Allah has preserved him, this trial is general, entering homes. Allah knows best, but it seems now it's through media outlets and internet platforms.

جاء في الحديث الصحيح عن النبي - ﷺ - قـال: « ثم فتنة لا يبقى بيت من العرب إلا دخلته » . رواه البخاري (٣١٧٦) ▫️قال الشيخ صالح الفوزان : - حفظـه الله - فتنة عامة تدخل البيوت ، والله أعلم أنها وسائل الإعلام الآن ووسائل الإنترنت.

The report also came in Al-Imam Ahmad's Musnad, through the hadith of Muhammad bin Abi Muhammad, from 'Awf bin Malik, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

It will not leave any house, whether made of mud or hair, except that it will enter it. (Meaning: This trial will enter even the houses made of animal hair, i.e., nomadic tents). This means, every part of the world.

It is also narrated in Ibn Abi Shaybah's Musannaf, through the hadith of Mansur, from Shaqiq, from the athar of Hudhayfah, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Evil will soon descend upon you from the sky, and no house will be left untouched, even the (Al-fayāfi) desert tents. They asked, "What are the (Al-fayāfi) desert tents? He replied, "The barren lands," meaning the deserts or wilderness.

 وجاء عند الإمام أحمد في مسنده من حديث محمد بن أبي محمد عن عوف بن مالك عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (لا تدع بيت مدر ولا شعر إلا دخلته) ، يعني: هذه الفتنة تدخل حتى بيوت الشعر، وجاء عند ابن أبي شيبة في كتابه المصنف من حديث منصور عن شقيق عن حذيفة قال: (ليوشكن أن يصب عليكم الشر من السماء حتى لا يدع بيتاً إلا دخله حتى الفيافي. قالوا: وما الفيافي؟ قال: الأرض القفر) يعني: البوادي.

Although, past scholars like Al-Imām Ibnu Hajar believed it was the killing of Uthmān, while the likes of Shaykh Albāni believed it was the Camera even when this is also part of social media. As a matter of fact, if the camera part of social media is left out, the fitnah of social media will reduce. And you will agree with me that Tiktok majorly being a video driven social media is like the worse of all for those who use it for immorality and other bad things.

We should however note that when something is called fitnah, it doesn't always mean it will be evil, it simply means a test which what will be recorded for you of deeds on it will be how you make use of it. 

Allah called our wealth and children fitnah, Allah said:

{ إِنَّمَاۤ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَـٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةࣱۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥۤ أَجۡرٌ عَظِیمࣱ }

Your wealth and your children are only a test for you. There is great reward with God: Surah At-Taghābun: 15]

A good believer will use this test of social media to earn rather the pleasure of Allah and not his wrath.

Do not be deceived by the number of followers nor like nor shares nor subscribers you have. Remember we are only transitioning this world as a phase of our existence, the real and everlasting existence comes after death where we will be rewarded for pur actions.

The prophet said:

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال : أخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بمنكبي ، فقال : كن في الدنيا كأنك غريب أو عابر سبيل . وكان ابن عمر يقول : إذا أمسيت ، فلا تنتظر الصباح ، وإذا أصبحت فلا تنتظر المساء ، وخذ من صحتك لمرضك ، ومن حياتك لموتك. البخاري

It is narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) grasped my shoulders and said: "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler."

Ibn 'Umar would also say:

"When evening comes, do not await the morning, and when morning comes, do not await the evening. Take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death." Al-Bukhārī

May Allah keep us firm upon the truth and guidance.