Am I Sinful for Not Deleting My Siblings’ TikTok Accounts?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I have preteen siblings whose social media I monitor, and I allow them an hour every day only on those apps, but I know full well they don’t use it for good in an Islamic sense. They are exposed to music, opposite-gender content, pop culture, celebrity worship, movies and TV show craze, profanity, and inappropriate content.
Will I be sinning if I know this and allow them an hour anyway instead of just deleting it from them?
Answer
Thank you for your question. I believe that if you are managing them in the best way you know how without causing them to rebel or hate Islam, what you are doing is probably the right choice.
Restriction
Allah Most High has told us in the Quran, “Allah knows the sly glances of the eyes and whatever the hearts conceal.” [Quran, 40: 19] Optimally, it would be great to take away social media altogether, but you might get a terrible reaction that includes being turned away from Islam. A delicate balance is required.
The best way to help your siblings have a more religious life is not by doubling down on the restrictions because it sounds like you have set good boundaries. Please help them increase their knowledge and faith by surrounding them with religious youngsters. Learn about the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and with their growing love of the deen, the importance of social media will diminish and may even start to disgust them.
Use It For Good
Unfortunately, sometimes, only time can wear down this social media excitement. I recommend allowing them the hour boundaries, increasing their lessons and Islamic activities, and bonding with them. Also, expose them to the world of Islamic knowledge on social media because there are many scholars and others who use this platform to exalt the religion. There is good to be had.
Du’a
Please say this du’a for guidance daily:
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
‘Ali reported that Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to him:
Say, “O Allah, direct me to the right path and make me adhere to the straight path,” when you mention the right guidance, keep in mind the right path and when you consider the straight (path), keep in mind the straightness of the arrow.
Please see the best advice here:
Is It Unlawful to Watch Movies or Read Novels?
How Should I Help a Teenager Using Social Media Inappropriately?
Etiquette of Social Media – Ustadh Amjad Tarsin
The Fiqh of Social Media: SeekersGuidance Critical Issues Seminar
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
