In a previous article I addressed smartphone addiction, a phenomenon that is a growing concern for most of modern society, including Muslims. While it is true many of us overuse our devices, technology is not inherently bad. In fact, there are many ways in which our Islamic knowledge and God-consciousness can be enhanced by online resources. Like so many other things in this dunya, the key is to achieve a balance by making responsible choices and remembering that closeness to our Creator should be our number one priority in everything we do.
I remember what it was like as a new Muslim 25 years ago, hungry for information about my deen. When I embraced Islam in 2000, the internet was still fairly new, and it was very difficult for me to find any reliable or useful information about Islam online. When I searched up various topics, I inevitably found more misinformation than truth. There were very few resources in English, and what was available was often badly translated. There were no websites dedicated to educating new Muslims, no online access to Islamic lectures, no apps that provided access to the Quran, duaas, prayer times, or the direction of the Qibla. Therefore, I truly appreciate that, nowadays, converts have a wealth of information and support at their fingertips that my generation simply did not have.
I interviewed several other Muslims to find out whether they thought technology could enhance taqwa. As it turns out, many Muslims find ways to use it as a tool for growth and self-improvement. Here are some of the ways they are using websites, apps, and social media to enhance their iman.
Andrea Tally uses technology to make the most of time spent on mindless chores.
“I often listen to podcasts,” she said. “I find very good Islamic lectures that amaze me and renew my conviction, teach me, and challenge me to do better. I learn so much. I listen to them while cleaning, cooking, walking, driving my car, and more. Alhamdulillah for these benefits!”
Jennessa Durrani says two apps in particular have enhanced her worship.
“This Ramadan I was able to listen to the Quran from beginning to end with my Athan: Prayer Times & Al Quran app, she said. “I’ve tried to read translations in the past. I’ve tried listening to different juz on YouTube. I could never stick with it, or it was really hard to see where I left off. This year I was committed to listening all the way through throughout the month and was able to do that thanks to the app.”
Durrani also said she felt her recent Umrah was greatly enhanced by the Nusuk app, which describes itself as “Your Trusted Partner for a Seamless Umrah.”
“I consider this app helpful and necessary,” she said.
Maria Ali uses technology to enhance her Islamic knowledge from the comfort of home.
“For me it has been a huge aid in my growth as a Muslim. I’ve been able to take classes and interact with teachers that wouldn’t have been possible without Zoom,” she said. “I’ve improved my tajweed, connected with sisters from all over the world, read books that I probably wouldn’t have had access to, and ‘attended’ local halaqahs that are just a bit too far for me to want to drive at night, especially in the rain or snow.”
Some sisters have even found a beneficial use for artificial intelligence.
Najiba Akbar said, “I’ve been having very fruitful discussions with Chat GPT about various aspects of Islam, and it has helped me sound out questions I have and point me towards resources to learn or explore more.”
Like me, Victoria Caldwell embraced Islam at a time when there were few resources available. She sees many potential benefits to technological advances.
“So many new Muslims are able to get support that [you and I] didn’t have as new Muslims,” she told me. “I believe technology can enhance our worship, especially by giving us access to knowledge that we didn’t have before. I now live in a rural area. Back when I lived in Southern California, I was surrounded by opportunities to learn in person, but now the masjid is a one-hour drive away, so I rely more on online lessons, YouTube, Zoom etc. I have an Arabic class that I’m able to attend online.”
Caldwell’s take also came with a warning.
“As with anything halal, if overused and abused, [technology] can become a fitna.”
Islam is deeply rooted in moderation, and believers should strive for equilibrium in every aspect of life. This includes our use of technology, which can be a useful tool to learn more about our faith and enhance our behavior, or a harmful fitna, as Caldwell pointed out. We will all make decisions about our online behavior on a daily, perhaps even hourly, basis. We must ask ourselves constantly, “How can I make good use of my time online? Is this app/website/social media content helping me be a better Muslim, or taking me away from the straight path? Am I wasting precious time? Are my choices leading me to haram?”
Another point to consider when using technology is that face-to-face interaction with our brothers and sisters in faith is irreplaceable. No matter how many WhatsApp, Facebook, or other virtual groups we might join, they cannot replace the very human need for physical proximity to other Muslims. So, when possible, we should stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in salat, share meals, hug, shake hands, listen to each other’s voices, and communicate across a table or side by side, instead of over a screen.
As technology continues to develop and change at a rapid pace, it will be more important than ever to manage it responsibly. We must continually practice and uphold our Islamic standards of modesty, wholesomeness, balance, good manners, and God-consciousness. Otherwise, we are likely to become slaves of technology instead of servants of Allah (SWT).
