The Condition of the Ummah - Part 6

 

When Every Voice Is Loud, Etiquette Becomes Silent

There is a reality we can no longer ignore: social media has amplified voices that were once kept behind closed doors. Some of these voices are sincere, some are misinformed, and some are simply loud. What troubles me most is not the ignorance of Islamophobes or those who deliberately stir hate—that noise has always existed. What concerns me more is how Muslims ourselves have begun to sound in these digital spaces.

Open any platform and you’ll see it. Posts filled with emotion but empty of etiquette. Arguments sparked in the name of defending Islam but fuelled more by ego than knowledge. It reminds me that social media does not create our character; it only magnifies what is already there. Even the quietest, most introverted person becomes bold when protected by a screen.

And while it is understandable that not every Muslim will have deep Islamic knowledge, the basics should never be missing. At the heart of these basics lies tarbiya—the process of nurturing, disciplining, and refining oneself. Knowledge may take years to acquire, but etiquette is something every believer is responsible for from day one.

Tarbiya teaches us how to speak, how to listen, how to respond, and even how to remain silent. It shapes the emotional and spiritual connection we build with Allah and with people. When you look at the five pillars of Islam, each one is built on discipline. Prayer, fasting, zakah, pilgrimage—all require consistency, humility, and self-control. These qualities should naturally reflect in how we behave online.

The foundation of everything is the declaration of faith and the commitment to follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His character was marked by calmness, dignity, and compassion—even when facing hostility. If we truly implemented even a fraction of his discipline, we would strengthen ourselves personally and uplift our communities globally.

And right now, the world needs that strength. Palestine, Sudan, Congo—these crises demand clarity, unity, and integrity from us, not chaotic public debates. This is not the time for Muslims to be found wanting in knowledge or behaviour.

So, the real question becomes: are we ready to unlearn the bad habits social media has normalised and return to the prophetic example that once shaped the greatest generation? His companions were the best of followers and the best of examples for us. And that is where our success begins.