Yesterday, I found myself wondering about something simple: Is it really okay to use alcohol-based perfume on my skin? I knew it was halal, but since I use perfume daily, I thought it was worth double-checking. It had been a while since I last looked into it, and with all the added chemicals in modern fragrances, I figured a quick Google search wouldn’t hurt, just to be safe. That search led me to something unexpected: funny halal content. An Islamic video made by a Muslim content creator that had me smiling… and scrolling.

@abradham

Is Perfume Haram? 😂 | #fyp #foryou #islam #muslim #muslimah #muslimtiktok #sheikhassimalhakeem #funny #lol

♬ original sound – Abradham

It started with a funny, well-edited clip of a respected Sheikh on TikTok, harmless, I thought. The next few videos were similar: light, Islamic-themed content designed to make you smile. I wasn’t exactly learning anything new, but I was consuming “halal” content that kept me engaged and entertained.

One TikTok led to another. Then came a reel. Then a YouTube short. The algorithm had done its job, I was hooked. It kept feeding me content that was just spiritual enough to feel good but entertaining enough to keep me scrolling.

All the while, I had a long to-do list: life admin, personal projects, and work tasks piling up. But instead of tackling them, I procrastinated. The entertaining “Islamic” content lulled me into thinking it was time well spent. After all, at least I wasn’t watching anything haram, right? This is all done by Muslim content creators I told myself.

Still, I was alarmed by how quickly time passed. And that’s when it hit me: even halal content, when consumed without purpose or moderation, can slowly chip away at our productivity, focus, and Iman.

The Truth about Social Media

I thought to myself:

“Wait… Did I Just Waste an Hour Watching ‘Islamic’ Videos Instead of Praying/Reading Quran/Working/Spending Time with Family.. [Fill in the blank]?”

• You open YouTube/Tiktok/Instagram for “5 minutes” of halal content…
• Suddenly it’s 2AM, you’ve binged 17 vlogs, 3 Quran recitations, and a documentary about halal restaurants in Turkey…
• But your Mus-haf remains unopened for the day.

Here’s the truth: Not all halal content is good for you. To me it may well be harmful. Maybe it’s the reason why our generation has very little Sabr. Some of this hala content is spiritually like junk food, delicious but empty.

The important question is: have I increased my Iman by watching this? Has this taken me away from something more important? Could these halal and seemingly harmless videos weaken my Iman?

The Great Halal Content Paradox

“Halal” ≠ Always Helpful

Halal content on most social media platforms avoids obvious haram like immodesty but falls into 4 dangerous traps:

1. The “Islamic” Binge-Watch Effect

📱 What happens:

• “Just one more” halal travel vlog → delayed Isha prayer, less quality time with family, less productivity in an already busy and hectic dunya
• Endless scrolling through Islamic or non-Islamic quotes → mental fog, tiredness, low on dopamine

💡 The science:
Neurologists found scrolling addictive with detrimental effects.

Brief dopamine spikes leaving you spiritually malnourished.

2. The “Halal Influencer” Envy Virus

📸 Reality check:
That Muslim content creator’s “effortless” Quran memorisation? Edited.

That Muslim couple’s dreamy ‘married-for-the-sake-of-Allah’ reels? You’re not seeing the arguments.

And Allah clearly warns us in Surah Taha:

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًۭا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَبْقَىٰ ١٣١

Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy; the ˹fleeting˺ splendour of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision ˹in the Hereafter˺ is far better and more lasting.

 3. The “I’m Learning!” Illusion

We confuse consumption with growth and motivation, and that’s the illusion. No matter what you’re watching on social media clips, there is a better way of learning it out there. Social media is not designed to educate or motivate you, it is designed to keep you scrolling. It’s addictive and if you give in, it will weaken your Iman.

• Watching 100 Islamic shorts ≠ reading or memorising 1 page of Quran
• Following scholars online ≠ implementing their advice
• Consuming polished, emotional clips ≠ Building real knowledge or Iman
• Watching 1000 fatwa videos ≠ Actual fiqh knowledge

4. The “Me” Society

The next time you open any social media platform, examine the content. You will find that the vast majority of the videos are about self-care: Treat yourself. Do this for your own benefit. This will make You “happy”. But if you look at real happy people and happy relationships, you will see that they are not focused on themselves.

5 Signs Halal Content Could Still Be Harming You

(Check how many apply)

☑️ Your “Islamic” screen time > Quran time
☑️ You feel inspired but don’t change
☑️ You only remember a handful of viral hadiths that everyone else knows
☑️ Your screen time is more than 4 hours on average
☑️ You’re mentally exhausted

Our own Halal content and Islamic Social Media Apps?

In this blog post, I’m primarily focused on Islamic or so-called halal content. Of course, it’s clear that other types of content often get pushed in by the algorithm making ever interaction with social media problematic but that’s a discussion for another time. Personally, if I could wipe out all social media platforms, I would! But I know that’s not a realistic expectation in today’s world.

Still, if we can’t get rid of social media apps, can’t we at least build platforms (whether for podcasts, videos, or community) that truly align with our values as Muslims and Muslim content creators? Isn’t it time we had our own space? We make up nearly a quarter of the world’s population, yet we continue to play by everyone else’s rules.

My Personal Digital Detox: Mindful Content Consumption

I continue to hope for a day when Muslims, especially our children, have access to a healthier, value-driven social media platform that aligns with our Islamic principles. While that dream remains in the making, I’ve taken a practical first step: I’ve deleted all social media apps from my phone including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

It may have helped that my phone was running out of memory (a blessing in disguise). But more importantly, I realised that constant access to these platforms was eating away at my time, focus, and spiritual well-being.

Now I’m not completely disconnecting from the internet. After all, I’m still blogging! But I’ve made a conscious decision to only access social media through the browser (Safari or desktop) when necessary. The web interface is clunky, and that’s the point! It discourages me from prolonged use.

I now listen to the news via BBC Radio 4, which gives me a more focused, balanced, and structured way to consume information. I find this far more beneficial and informative than passively scrolling through social media feeds later in the day.

Another intervention I’m implementing is filling my time with other activities. I’m focusing on things I am passionate about like teaching Arabic. I’ve replaced night-time scrolling with bedtime storytelling for my 6-year-old son and whenever possible, I aim to sleep early instead. I’ve realised that when I’m deeply engaged in meaningful work, learning, or spending time with family, I naturally have less time and desire to be online.

Mindful Digital Consumption

You’d think that being a full-time doctor with a busy rota would be enough to limit internet use! Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case. Like many professionals, I found myself reaching for my phone during gaps, tired moments, or even just out of habit.

This shift toward mindful digital consumption is still a work in progress, but it’s one that aligns more closely with my values, my Iman, and the kind of example I want to set for myself, and my son in the future when he holds a phone. Hopefully not in the near future!

Digital Detox and the Hope for a Stronger Iman

These days, it feels like everyone is constantly online — scrolling, posting, reacting. In a world where anxiety, low self-esteem, spiritual distractions, poor sleep, and FOMO are becoming the norm, I’ve realised that the best thing I can do to protect my heart, and my Iman is to simply step away from my phone.

Whether the content is “halal” or not, too much screen time pulls me away from real life and real purpose. And with the rise of AI and endless scrolling, it’s becoming harder to stop. But that’s exactly why I’m trying.

What motivates me is this thought: if everyone’s mind is being shaped by what they see on screens, maybe staying away will give me a clearer, calmer, more grounded mind: one that isn’t constantly reacting, comparing, or distracted. Maybe my Iman will grow in ways it couldn’t while I was glued to social media.

I’m not sure how long my digital detox will last. I’ve deleted social media apps from my phone, and for now, I’m only using the web versions when absolutely necessary. I’ve already started replacing screen time with meaningful habits: like reading to my son before bed and getting to sleep earlier. Small yet effective.

Now that I’ve shared this here, it’s real. I feel more accountable. I can’t just talk about taking a break, I actually have to live it. And I’ll keep you posted, inshaAllah, if I start to notice any real changes in my focus, productivity, or Iman.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media too, maybe now is the time to ask: what would stepping away do for your Iman?