Ramadhan, a month full of blessings and much awaited by Muslims around the world, is not only about fasting; the month is more than just enduring hunger and thirst. Ramadhan is madrasah tarbawiyyah, or a training school, that plays a significant role in the lives of Muslims, while fasting is a learning process that teaches moral values, self-discipline, and sincere obedience to Allah SWT.

However, in the modern digital era where information can be spread easily, there is a new challenge Muslims must face, and that is the trend of posting on social media photos or videos of them performing Islamic worships. These may spread quickly and widely, thus becoming viral. Although initially these may be done with good intention, some are not in line with the teachings of Islam. More often than not, these photos and videos can incite doubt, confusion, and insincerity in Muslims.

Educating Muslims to avoid following this trend becomes one of the important things that must be done during the month of fasting. This month is not only about abstaining from eating and drinking, but also about improving the quality of worships.

Negative impact of the trend

It has now become a trend among Muslims to perform worships just for content sake. Photos or videos of worshipping and with captions are posted on social media. These are seen by the social media community and are given likes. The more they are spread the higher these contents are given likes. This directly increases the popularity of the content creators and makes them more popular, leading to them being proud, arrogant, and egoistic.

It has become more worrying when the trend is also followed by influencers who have many followers and by religious scholars. It is still acceptable if the posted worship contents involve other people and they become viral. But it is a problem when own worship contents are posted by individuals with the intention of making them viral. There is no need to post worship activities such as prayers, pilgrimage, almsgiving, umrah, Quran recitation, and zikr with the intention of making the contents viral because it may lead to the worships not accepted by Allah SWT.

Doing so may affect the main intention of performing the worship and reduce its reward. It may also push the individual away from Allah SWT and at the end leaves the individual at the losing end in this world and the hereafter. The Prophet SAW said: “The intention of a Muslim is better than his actual worship” (al-Thabarni, 5924) and “Indeed every worship depends on the intention” (al-Bukhari, 1).

Acts of worship during pilgrimage such as kissing the hajarul aswad, or the black stone, tawaf, and saie should be done with full concentration and in full remembrance of Allah SWT. However, many individuals take worship selfies and post them online. This has come to the attention of the Federal Territory Mufti Office, which has declared that such actions should be abandoned.

This is because tawaf and sa’ie are among the worships that require full concentration. Muslims are advised to recite prayers, do zikr, read Quran, praise the Prophet SAW and feel near to Allah SWT. During tawaf and sa’ie, Muslims must observe all their manners and adhere to all requirements, and show humility towards Allah.

The Prophet SAW said: “Performing tawaf around the Kaabah is the same as performing solat, only that during tawaf you may speak. Whoever speak during tawaf must speak of kind words.” (Riwayat al-Tirmizi (960).

Many religious scholars are onboard with the hadith. Imam al-Tirmizi said that many religious scholars practice what the Prophet said. They are of the opinion that Muslims performing tawaf should not utter words unless there is a need or the words are words to remember Allah or because of seeking knowledge.” (Sunan al-Tirmizi, 2/285)

Ramadhan instills sincerity

Fasting is an act of worship that does not lend itself to becoming viral. Fasting is a unique worship and is not suitable for online posting unlike other worships because fasting occurs throughout the day. As mentioned in the religious book Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin, fasting is a secret worship and does not lend itself to the feeling of pride. So, fasting teaches Muslims to hide their worships from being seen by others,  thus leading to sincerity.

While fasting at a specific level that is higher than the normal fasting provides a deep spiritual awareness. Hunger and thirst during the day must be maintained, as must the trend of posting worship contents online to make them viral in order to avoid being addicted to it. Long-lasting spirituality can help Muslims become more sensitive towards what they do during worships and choose religious priority over worldly benefits.   

In addition, applying and becoming committed in practicing the sunnah during ramadhan is also the main pillar that helps avoid this issue. Prophet Muhammad SAW always performed worships in full sincerity without expecting praises or recognitions from people. He taught the Muslims to perform worships sincerely just to get closer to Allah SWT.

By learning about the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW and following his sunnah of being sincere in worshipping, Muslims can find clear guidance in facing the trend of posting worship contents online. His sincerity in performing worships taught Muslims to be careful when performing worships, and always prioritize sincerity in performing worships for the sake of obtaining the blessings of Allah SWT.

Allah SWT says: “Yet all that they had been commanded was that they serve Allah”. (al-Baniyyah, 5). 

In the digital era filled with the sophistication of the Internet, Muslims are demanded to stay away from the trends that are not in line with the teachings of Islam, and instead emulate the sincerity shown by Prophet Muhammad SAW. By understanding the universal values of fasting and following the examples left by Prophet Muhammad SAW, Muslims can navigate their lives wisely in the world full of digital influences and ultimately equip themselves with commendable morality in line with the order of Allah SWT.  

Original version in Malay by:

Dr. Abdul Hanis Embong

Deputy Dean (Talent & Research)

Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Field: Islamic studies, syariah, civilization

Phone: 013-7395195

Email: hanis.embong@umt.edu.my

English translation by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu