Use of Social Media in Ramadan

With the month of Ramadan everywhere there’s lot more of activities, campaigns and celebrations through social media usage and different applications. It’s digital world everywhere and without social media, perhaps, Muslims lack luster in celebrating the very sanctity of Ramadan.

The plain truth is that we are living in a fast-paced modern world, with techno-digital advancements and tools and its diverse features and benefits. While the world is becoming busier, populous, closer, obviously the powerful platforms for communication and interaction seems to be social media and apps. You use it, and lo your presence is everywhere, and when you defy its worth, then you live in isolation.

But, what concerns most is the excessive use of social media and apps anytime, anywhere. Perhaps, more than understanding the true significance of Ramadan and applying authentic teachings of Islam in human lives, our social media engagement is plainly increasing. We understand less, and share more. Simply, the fashion of the world is totally different wherein people want to get connected with family and friends and be part of religious, cultural and celebratory atmosphere.

Everyone will agree that social media is very effective, but then it’s too disrupting and captivating like sorcery. 

With less focus on worship in serenity and with simplicity, everyone seems to be on social media now and spending more screen time to check popped up posts and messages. 

More often people, without reflecting on the content of the posts, keep navigating wherever they wish to for information, liking or sharing those posts to others by swiping their little screens. Strange, isn’t it?

More than the practicality of virtues in our lives, we intensely share content and tidbit news of our activities with our connections. And then, there are social media platforms that know how to take advantage of the momentum for respective occasions by adding new clusters, features or options.

Instead of plugging our hearts to sensibility, we spend more time on social media to check what’s on the Facebook newsfeed, who’s chirping on the twitter, what’s trending on the LinkedIn, what’s worth watching videos on the YouTube, who’s posting what on WhatsApp, what’s creative on the Pinterest, what’s good that can be Googled, what’s latest on the livestream, what’s inspirational on the Instagram or what can be shared and cheery moment snapped on the Snapchat.

More than our spiritual connection with our Almighty Lord, we live by multiple connections on the social media. Without this connectivity, our lives are nowhere with aloofness, imbalance and disruption. As if, by following diverse platforms, we feel our presence, comfort and engagement. Aha…as if social media has now become everyone’s companion!

Now-a-days, more than revering Ramadan in seclusion with spirituality and celebrating truly with gaiety among near and dear ones, social media users get glued to the screens of their Smartphones.

Lo! Like a genie everything pops up and users get enthralled into their own typical, virtual worlds.

Perhaps, we can say that the usage of social media applications has its own merits, but excessive engagement becomes mere distraction from the very aspects and realities of our lives. Undoubtedly, with the increased Internet access and extensive use of mobile phones, social media, in a virtual world, has proven a force for convenience, helpfulness and modernity. 

The truth is that the whole world has mounted onto the social media bandwagon so fast in great numbers. Everyone seems to be social media savvy.

But, too much indulgence on social media anytime, anywhere looks silly. Users become so absorbed on social media all the time to the extent that they don’t communicate to the one next to them or with their families or children in their houses. Rather they enjoy being engrossed online by messaging, sharing or tweeting.

Instead of getting closer to the Almighty Lord, we delve more into funny chats, vain debates, bogus content, trivial messaging, and unsafe propaganda on social media during the blessed month of Ramadan. That’s crazy! It’s totally bizarre when people spend too much time on social media during Ramadan instead of spending their valuable time on worship, recitation and understanding of Qur’an or other righteous deeds. You shouldn’t believe anything that you may receive in the form of news, images, video or audio clips via social media and apps without checking the credibility of the source.

However, with the presence of diverse social media platforms offering Ramadan relevant content and features and avid interaction among users during the sacred month like Ramadan, it seems that Muslims’ lifestyles are changing dramatically.

Of course, there’s a possibility of users becoming afflicted with addiction, it seems that they cannot bear to be without it, and this is something apparent. While the essence and virtues of Ramadan is on one side, and on the contrary, Muslims are so fascinated by social media that they portray Ramadan according to their whims and observances, and keep themselves engaged using Ramadan tie-in applications.

It seems that the virtual and high-tech worlds have transformed Ramadan, the month of self-control and perseverance into an interactive, special month, and the Muslims young and old have become addicted broadcasters and campaigners.

Let’s hope that social media, without pervasive distraction and deviations, brings in healthy, positive changes!