He showed his entire experience and the pros and cons of his experience. At the beginning he found it hard but then gotten used to it and found that he was more productive in his own work. "In the past I felt I didn't have the time to do the things which are important to me. But I've realised that is just an excuse. I have the time. We have the time. And there is only so much of it. I don't want to waste it on social media and work. I want to focus on the relationships in my life because in the end 'happiness is only real when it's shared' (Christopher McCandless)"
The need for a detox:
I often like doing a social media detox myself. I'm one of those guys who is constantly on my phone (like right now ironically!), Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and of course WhatsApp have become second nature. Always tapping, tapping, tapping.
I don't think I do stuff to waste time deliberately, mostly it's stuff I'm involved in with and interested in such as Charity, Hajj and Umrah, reading and watching beneficial things, some clean entertainment, sharing advice etc. But then I get involved in debates and unnecessary discussions!
The good and bad:
There does come a time when we generally get so into our phones and social media that it gets to us mentally. We literally see everything online. Social Media if not used properly can become worse than a TV.
Don't get me wrong our phones and social media can and will benefit us if we use it in the right way. We have everything in our hands. From beneficial articles, news, documentaries, nasheeds, Qur'an recitations, live broadcast from the Haramain etc. I have personally connected with people from different parts of the world and have really benefited myself.
Likewise social media is full of abuse, trolling, racism, zina etc. It's easy being someone online as opposed to how we are in person.
One of the things I hate a lot is arguing and hate online. Whether you see it on Facebook or Twitter. Go see the comment section of a national news outlet and see the hate people have for each other. Obviously I have Muslim 'friends' on my Facebook page and I come across so much abuse of each other. So much hate and grudges against each other.
No point:
SubhanAllah it's scary how many people hold grudges against us for whatever reason. That grudge is lurking deep inside and sometimes there's no opportunity to even rectify any issues until death comes for either side. This world isn't worth grudges man.
One of the saddest things I see is people creating fake profiles to abuse others whilst having another profile to show how normal they are. Such hypocrisy only hurts themselves and their relationship with Allah.
Another ironic things is seeing all these what I call 'Social Media Da'wah Influencers'. People using 'Da'wah' as a tool with ignorance, arrogance and pride whilst seemingly calling people to Allah? Doesn't make sense buddy.
Pleasing others:
Sometimes we exert ourselves on these platforms that the reality is though beneficial, a lot of the time people don't care. You may get a few likes and shares but it stops there. Yes, people may benefit from you and of course I benefit a lot from various posts myself. But other times we get so caught up in the world of social media that we forget the connection we have with friends and families though we are 'friends' online.
A few months back I decided not to comment, share or like on Facebook. This was for around 2 months. During those months I had one brother whom I have never met before in person but have had interactions with online, messaged me to see if I was ok as he hadn't seen me comment lately. Other than that, no one else messaged me. You see, people may not have bad intentions and it's not easy to remember everyone but such is what life has become. I probably would do the same :(
So after watching that video, me and my wife decided to get off some of our social media accounts for just a day and see how we feel. And believe me just ONE DAY off Facebook, Twitter and Instagram made a huge difference. I gotten to do things I didn't do due to being on these platforms sometimes unnecessarily.
Some benefits of a Social Media Detox:
• Improve relationship with Allah
• Improve your mental health
• Read a physical copy of the Qur'an, books etc.
• Appreciate people around you
• Realise how much time you have to spend on things that are important and you enjoy
• Have a more positive outlook to life
• Look after yourself and others around you
My challenge:
I personally would like to do a 7 day social media detox, in support of a charity, and see how I feel. Get off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even WhatsApp. I probably would miss out on a lot of stuff but I think it'll help me get closer to Allah and His Messenger Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam inshaAllah.
My plan would be to: Improve my relationship with the Qur'an, Read a book, work on a story I've been writing to publish, do some house work etc. Obviously having a good plan would really help and prepare me for this. What a life it's become huh!
My inspiration:
Ever since Maulana Rafiqul Haque sab passed away and hearing about how productive he was with his life, I've been wanting to emulate him by picking up books and studying various topics. inshaAllah I can be more productive with my time.
Try a detox sometimes. It'll really benefit your mental health. Remember it's important to look after yourself.
I ask Allah to cleanse my heart from the diseases of the heart and allow me to be in His servitude by following the sunnah of my Master Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam, Aameen
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