Social Media & The Soul: Breaking Free from the Comparison Trap with Quranic Wisdom | The Holy Message

Social Media & The Soul: Breaking Free from the Comparison Trap with Quranic Wisdom

Is social media as essential as oxygen? In our current era, we have reached a psychological state where it feels as though life would cease to function without our digital connections. But let us pause for a moment of deep reflection: is it truly as vital as the air we breathe? If we were to disconnect, would our lungs collapse? The answer, as we all know in our hearts, is no.

In fact, the truth may be quite the opposite. If we were to step back from the relentless digital noise, no catastrophe would befall us. Rather, we might find that our mental peace expands, our anxiety diminishes, and the quality of time spent with our families deepens. Yet, despite knowing this, we remain tethered to our screens. Why?

We often enter the digital realm seeking relief. We open Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube with the intention of "relaxing" or escaping the fatigue of the day. But when we close the app an hour later, do we truly feel relaxed? Or do we leave with a heavier heart, carrying a subtle burden of inadequacy? This is what psychologists call the "Comparison Trap." We see the curated highlight reels of others—luxury travel, perfect families, career highs—and subconsciously compare them to the raw, unfiltered reality of our own struggles. We go looking for entertainment, but we often bring home sadness.

A Divine Perspective: Purpose Over Passivity

To navigate this modern challenge, we must look to the timeless guidance of the Qur’an. Islam does not advocate for asceticism or completely shunning the tools of the world. It does not ask us to retreat to a mountain and ignore technology. However, it places a profound emphasis on purpose.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Jumu'ah:

"And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed." — (Surah Al-Jumu'ah: 10)

This verse offers a beautiful balance for the believer. It acknowledges that there is a time for worship and a time for engagement with the world. The command to "disperse" and "seek bounty" implies activity, productivity, and the pursuit of livelihood. If social media is used as a tool to seek Allah’s bounty—to grow a halal business, to learn, or to connect with family—it aligns with this divine instruction.

However, the verse connects success (Falah) with the remembrance of Allah. When our usage of these platforms shifts from active seeking (of knowledge or livelihood) to passive, mindless consumption that makes us forget our purpose, we drift away from the success promised in the Qur’an.

Linguistic Insights: The Weight of 'Abatha'

To understand the spiritual gravity of wasting time, we must look at the linguistic depth of the Qur’an. In Surah Al-Mu’minun, Allah asks a piercing question:

"Then did you think that We created you uselessly (Abatha) and that to Us you would not be returned?" — (Surah Al-Mu'minun: 115)

The Arabic word used here is 'Abatha' (عَبَثًا). Rooted in the letters Ain-Ba-Tha, this word describes an action that has no purpose, no meaningful outcome, and no wisdom behind it. It refers to playing aimlessly or engaging in something trivial that yields no fruit.

When we scroll for hours without intent, are we not engaging in Abatha? Our finger moves, our eyes scan, but there is no destination and no harvest. This linguistic gem reminds us that a believer is created for a high purpose. Every moment is a seed that will grow into a tree in the Hereafter. To treat time as something to be merely "killed" or "passed" is to misunderstand the value of the soul itself.

Another relevant term is 'Ghafalah' (Heedlessness). The scholars explain that Ghafalah is when the heart is awake to the world but asleep to the Divine. The comparison trap feeds on this heedlessness, making us hyper-aware of what others possess while making us blind to the blessings Allah has already placed in our own hands.

Relevance to Modern Life: The Digital Marketplace

As an observer of both Islamic theology and modern sociology, it is helpful to reframe how we view social media. It is not merely a playground; it is a massive marketplace. In this marketplace, there are generally two types of people: the Producers and the Consumers.

• The Politician: They do not scroll aimlessly. They use the platform to build narratives, secure votes, and shape public opinion. For them, it is a ladder to power.
• The Businessman: They do not waste time comparing their lives to others. They are busy advertising their products, finding customers, and generating revenue. For them, every post is a step toward business growth.
• The Scholar: A righteous scholar uses this platform as a pulpit (Minbar). They know that they can reach thousands more hearts online than in a physical gathering. They use the tool to weigh their scales of good deeds for the Hereafter.

Now, we must ask ourselves gently: Where do we fit in? The majority of users (perhaps 99%) fall into the category of the "Consumer." We are not selling, we are not leading, and we are not teaching. We are simply absorbing.

When we function solely as consumers, we pay with our most expensive assets: our time and our emotional well-being. We become the product. This dynamic is the root of modern digital anxiety. We exchange the gold of our time for the dust of temporary distraction.

As we navigate these distractions, it is vital to remember the Islamic perspective on time management and barakah. Just as we budget our money, we must budget our moments, for the currency of life is time itself.

Practical Steps for Spiritual Digital Hygiene

Abandoning social media entirely may not be practical or even necessary for everyone. Instead, we can transform our relationship with it. Here are three practical steps to shift from a mindless consumer to a mindful believer:

1. Correcting the Intention (Niyyah)

In Islam, the reward of every action depends on the intention. Before your finger taps that app icon, pause for three seconds. Ask yourself: "Why am I entering this world right now?"

If the answer is to numb your mind or escape reality, be cautious, for this is the doorway to the comparison trap. However, if your intention is to check on a sick relative, learn a new skill, or promote your halal business, then start with "Bismillah." This small act of mindfulness transforms a mundane click into a conscious decision, protecting you from drifting into hours of aimless wandering.

2. Performing a 'Digital Hijrah' (Cleaning the Feed)

We are arguably the sum of the five people we spend the most time with—and today, we spend the most time with the people in our newsfeed. The Qur’an commands us to keep company with the righteous. Treat your digital environment like your physical home.

Does a specific account make you feel inadequate, jealous, or ungrateful for what you have? If so, unfollowing or muting them is an act of spiritual self-care. This is a form of Digital Hijrah—migrating from an environment of heedlessness to an environment of peace. Curate your feed so that when you do scroll, you see reminders of Allah, educational content, or wholesome humor that brings joy without envy.

3. Daily Muhasaba (Self-Audit)

The great scholars practiced Muhasaba—taking account of oneself before going to sleep. In our modern context, this includes a digital audit. Most smartphones now track "Screen Time."

At the end of the day, look at the numbers. Ask yourself: "How many hours did I give to others as a consumer, and how many hours did I invest in myself or my Deen as a producer?" This is not to induce guilt, but to build awareness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) reminded us that on the Day of Judgment, no foot will move until we answer for how we spent our life. Let this thought gently guide you to reclaim your time for things that truly matter.

Scholarly Wisdom

The renowned scholar Imam Al-Ghazali often spoke of the heart as a fortress. He taught that the senses are the gates to this fortress. If we leave the gates wide open to everything—every image, every futile argument, every display of wealth—the heart becomes cluttered and diseased. Guarding what we look at is not just about avoiding "haram" content in the legal sense; it is about protecting the heart from the subtle poison of envy and discontent.

Conclusion

Social media is like fire. It can cook your food and sustain you, or it can burn down your house. The choice lies in how we handle it. We must decide whether we want to be passive buyers of other people's curated lives, or smart, faithful stewards of our own destiny.

Let us make a firm intention today: we will no longer be slaves to the algorithm. We will use technology as a bridge to success in this life and the Next, not as a barrier to our peace. Awake from the scroll, for your time is too precious to be lost in the shadows of others.

A Short Du‘a for Guidance

Let us end with this beautiful supplication from Surah Al-Kahf, asking Allah for clarity in our decisions:

"Rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wa hayyi' lana min amrina rashada."

"Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance." — (Surah Al-Kahf: 10)

---

Further Reflection:

If you found this article helpful, you may also benefit from reading about how to balance financial ambition with trust in Allah, which explores the concept of 'seeking bounty' in greater depth.

And Allah knows best.