Whether using social media for influence or entrepreneurship, it can become about opportunity, profit and creating content that satisfies the latest algorithm trends causing one to forget the duty and moral obligations that come with the use of this media platform.
Today, people assume that social media is morally neutral as long as it is used to derive benefit, generate profit, and create the awareness needed for businesses to grow.
As muslims we are slaves of God and our actions carry significant impacts, both in this world and the Hereafter. By default, as Muslims, we are not meant to be slaves of any social media algorithms.
Islam’s worldview teaches that entrepreneurship as an activity, places a Muslim under the moral, legal and ethical responsibility before God. The use of social media as an extension for business development, should by default, be viewed under the same standards and moral obligations.
Businesses built upon core foundations and Islamic principles would need to maintain moral, ethical and Islamic principles in their social media presence as an extension of business practices.
The use of social media as a marketing tool should be subjected to the same moral, ethical and Islamic principles that are upheld in business development.
Sūrah al-Zalzalah (99:7–8):
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
This Quranic Ayah serves as a reminder that all actions are significant, and therefore would need to be placed under microscopic care and consideration before execution.
Allah ﷻ says in Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:286):
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا
Lā yukallifu Allāhu nafsan illā wusʿahā
“Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.”
| Based on the above Quranic Ayah, if Allah ordained any challenges, in business or in life, by default, it is appropriate to the level of endurance and growth needed to overcome the challenge. |
Business as a service
For society as a whole, businesses exist to provide beneficial goods or services that have the potential to improve lives, solve problems or uplift communities. Serving is not a marketing tactic. Islamic norms embed it within the principles of Ikhlas (sincerity), Amanah (trust), and Ihsan (excellence).
Restraint and discipline as Muslims
This dua below is a way to shield hearts from distraction It also serves as a reminder that buying and selling are all under Allah’s control.
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ
عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone, without partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is living and does not die. In His hand is all good, and He is over all things competent.
The Reward
Reported by at-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah:
Whoever recites this upon entering the marketplace, Allah records for them one million good deeds, erases one million bad deeds, and raises them one million ranks.
As a real life practice:
- Read the above dua before opening Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Market place, or any online shop. Trade happens more often in the digital world, be it via looking for accommodation, service providers or restaurants.
- Before stepping into a physical market, mall, or busy place of trade, pause and say this dua.
This supplication is important because the market is a moral battleground. It is a space where people face constant desires for wealth, status, competition, and indulgences.
The above dua begins by reminding the trader or buyer that Allah owns everything, and that transactions are not merely financial choices, but moral choices under Allah’s watch. This dua ends with a reminder to be mindful of choices, as Allah is ultimately in control of life, death and sustenance exclusively.
Disclaimer: Anything the reader finds beneficial in this article is solely from Allah. Any mistakes, shortcomings, or errors are from me and my human limitations.
About the Author of this article:
Azeezah is the co-founder of Halaal Travels. She writes so that her reflections bring benefit and inspire meaningful conversations.