Impact of Social Media on Ethical Values of a Muslim: An Analytical Study of in the Light of Islamic Teachings

سوشل میڈیا اور اس کے مسلمان فرد کے اخلاقی اقدار پر اثرات : اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has significantly transformed the ways individuals communicate, construct identity, and engage with the world. For Muslims, this digital shift presents both opportunities and challenges concerning the preservation of ethical and moral values prescribed in Islam. This study examines the impact of social media on the ethical values of Muslims in the light of Islamic teachings, with a particular focus on Qur’anic principles and Prophetic guidance. Using an analytical approach, the research explores how social media influences key Islamic ethical domains such as modesty, truthfulness, privacy, social responsibility, interpersonal conduct, and the regulation of desires. The study also highlights behaviors commonly observed on social networking platforms—such as misinformation, backbiting, boastfulness, excessive self-expression, and moral distraction—and evaluates them against Islamic ethical standards. Findings indicate that while social media can serve as a powerful tool for knowledge dissemination, community building, and da‘wah, it simultaneously poses risks to moral discipline, spiritual well-being, and social harmony when used without ethical awareness. The study concludes by proposing Islamically grounded guidelines for responsible digital engagement, emphasizing intentionality (niyyah), self-restraint (tazkiyah), and accountability (muhāsabah) as essential components for navigating the online environment in a morally conscious manner.