Quran Verses

Lesson & Reflection

What we expose our senses to, what we see, hear, and dwell on, does not just pass through us. It shapes us. Screens have become gateways to everything: beneficial knowledge, but also temptation, comparison, envy, waste, and sin. Our senses have been given to us as a blessing, and so we should direct these to serve the purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah.

In Surah Al-Isra (17:36), Allah reminds us: we will be questioned about our senses. What we chose to watch, hear, and give our hearts to. And in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:9), He warns us not to let anything, not even blessings, distract us from His remembrance. Today, the most common diversion is digital: screens that replace connection, numb the soul, and delay everything that matters. Screens can be a blessing when used productively and moderately, but when we resort to it excessively, it can be counterproductive to our health and well being and leave us feeling spiritually hollow. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “Strive to seek that which will benefit you” (Sunan Ibn Majah 4168).

Allah warns us that the eyes, ears, and heart are blessings which we will be questioned about and how we use them. Are we being accountable with every scroll? What are we letting in? What are we allowing our hearts to absorb? What are we feeding our souls? History has shown us that continuous consumption of an idea, no matter how vile it may be,  brings about acceptance and normalization of that idea with time. The fitrah (the inner disposition) that was once pure can easily be corrupted by relentless bombardment of corrupt ideas. Endless scrolling is perhaps one of the most acceptable forms of distraction in our times and perhaps the most destructive of all.

In Surah An-Nur (24:30), Allah commands believing men (and women in the subsequent verse) to lower their gaze, not just from indecency, but from anything that pollutes the soul. Not every trending post, story, or visual needs our view. Protecting the eyes isn’t just about avoiding sin; it’s about guarding the heart. A vessel that harbors the love of Allah. And this love cannot co-exist with the love of frivolous desires.

Every moment of exposure either softens or hardens the soul. Ihsan in screen use, means being deliberate: looking with purpose, listening with care, and preserving the heart’s purity. Don’t let your screen train your soul to become numb. Use your blessings wisely, from your senses to your screens, ask yourself, has this brought me closer to my Creator, salah and fulfilling my obligations as a Muslim or has this distanced me from these?

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If any one of you looked at a person who was made superior to him in property and (in good) appearance, then he should also look at the one who is inferior to him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6490; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2963)

This wisdom applies powerfully to social media and digital comparison and serves as a timeless reminder that there are people who do not have this privilege of screen time. We should be grateful for our blessings and not misuse them.

Practical Activity

• Filter Your Feed: Review your screen content, especially your social media. Unfollow or mute anything that routinely exposes you to indecency, envy, or distraction. Make space for light, not noise.

Dua

“O Allah, protect my eyes from what displeases You, my ears from harmful noise, and my heart from anything that leads me away from You.”

Reflection Question

What am I inviting into my eyes, ears, and heart daily through screens, and is it bringing me closer to or further from who Allah wants me to be?