Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

24 October 2025 / 2 Jamadilawal 1447H

Islam and Digital Engagement

Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,

Let us increase our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. by fulfilling all His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions. Let us fill our time with beneficial activities and good deeds. May Allah s.w.t. grant us barakah in our time and let it be filled with obedience and goodness. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

Dear blessed congregation,

Did you know that our smartphones record the amount of time we spend using them each day? Now, let us answer the following questions honestly. How many hours do we spend daily on our digital gadgets, such as our smartphones, tablets, computers, and other devices? An hour or two? Or less than that? Now, compare that with the amount of time we spend in remembrance of Allah and His Messenger, whether by reading the Qur’an, reflecting on the Prophet’s guidance, or other similar acts of devotion.

My dear brothers, we are well aware that digital devices can be a source of both good and harm, benefit and distraction. Our lives have become heavily dependent on these devices, and they are among the greatest tests faced by mankind in this age.

Therefore, today’s khutbah is by no means intended to call us to abandon digital devices, for Islam is a religion that emphasises balance and wisdom. We are not instructed to separate ourselves from the realities of worldly life – such as building a career, engaging in business, participating in sports, or even benefiting from the gadgets we own. Rather, we are required to manage them in a good, beneficial manner, guided by the teachings of Allah and His Messenger s.a.w.

My dear brothers,

Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-‘Ankabut, verse 64:

Which means: “And this worldly life is no more than a diversion and amusement. But the Hereafter is indeed the real life, if only they knew.”

This is a clear warning from Allah about the temporary nature of worldly life. It is filled with entertainment that can either amuse or distract us if not managed properly. In this era, it encompasses digital entertainment such as games, social media, videos, and endless scrolling activities. When we get bored with one type of content, we move on to another. And this cycle continues, without us realising the passage of time spent.

Dear congregation,

There are three steps we can take to manage the use of digital gadgets better:

Firstly: Be cautious of how we spend our leisure time.

The Prophet s.a.w. said which means: “There are two blessings that many people are deceived by: health and free time.” (Bukhari)

Health and free time are among the most valuable blessings from Allah. However, today, they are slowly being taken away by the screens we stare at. Being cautious means becoming more aware of the time spent in front of screens.

Avoid and train ourselves to distance from unhealthy or useless content, especially during times close to worship like now, or when studying, working, or spending time with family. The same goes for crossing the road, entering the restroom, or staying up late until it affects our rest and long-term health.

Secondly: Using technology for personal development

Gadgets can be tools that aid personal and spiritual development. There are various applications and digital platforms that can enhance knowledge and strengthen our relationship with Allah, the Quran, and so on. Today, there is a wealth of authentic Islamic content available at our fingertips, such as online classes, religious lectures, as well as digital versions of the Quran and Hadith. All of these can serve as means to deepen our understanding of religion and connect us with dhikr and knowledge, wherever we are.

However, we must also be cautious and wise in evaluating online sources of knowledge. While modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), can make information more accessible, it has its limitations. It may not provide in-depth understanding, lack spiritual guidance, and be unaware of the context in religious matters.

Therefore, we should refer to qualified religious scholars (asatizah) for authentic religious guidance. Use technology as a tool to assist in the journey of knowledge, but never let it replace the role and guidance of religious teachers.

Thirdly: Avoiding the misuse of aliases

One of the greatest dangers in the virtual world is the illusion of anonymity – the feeling that we can say or do anything without being identified. This leads some people to write hurtful words, gossip, spread false news, and so on, under the impression that they will not be questioned or held accountable by others.

However, remember this: although we may be able to hide from the view of others, we can never hide from the gaze of Allah, the Creator of mankind. Every word written, every comment posted, every action taken, everything is recorded in our book of deeds.

Islam emphasises the values of responsibility and honesty. The digital world is not a space free from moral and ethical boundaries. It is merely another space where our actions are being recorded and will be held accountable in the Hereafter.

Dear brothers,

Every passing moment will never return. So, let us fill our free time with beneficial activities and righteous deeds. May the time we spend in all our affairs serve as a witness to assist us, and not as one that condemns us, on the Day of Judgement. Allahul Musta'aan. 

 

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