Salam, my Gen Z fam! Ever caught yourself marveling at how wild our tech is these days? I mean, we have phones that unlock with our faces, fridges that text us when we’re out of milk, and earbuds that can block out Auntie’s 3-hour lecture on why you’re still single (love you, Auntie!). But here’s a question: how do we as Muslims navigate this techy wonderland while keeping it halal and heartfelt? Easy. We take a page (or a scroll) out of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)’s life.
Yeah, I know. You’re thinking: “Wait, the Prophet didn’t have iPhones or TikTok… so, uh, how does this apply?” Hold up, stay with me! The Prophet’s way of expressing gratitude and using resources responsibly is timeless, and with a little creativity, it’ll vibe perfectly with your modern gadgets. Let’s dive in.
1. Gratitude Starts With A Bismillah
First things first, whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) used anything, food, drink, or even a simple tool, he started with Bismillah. It’s a vibe check for your heart and a reminder that every blessing, big or small, comes from Allah.
So, next time you pick up your phone to doom-scroll Instagram or binge-watch Netflix, start with Bismillah. Not only does it add barakah to your action, but it’s also a sneaky way to keep yourself in check. Like, are you really about to spend four hours watching slime-making videos in the name of Allah? Exactly.
2. Dua for the Wi-Fi
Okay, maybe not literally. But seriously, think about how much we take our gadgets for granted. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to thank Allah for even the smallest blessings. He once made dua after drinking water: “All praise is due to Allah who made it sweet and pleasant by His grace and did not make it bitter.” Imagine that level of appreciation for something as basic as water.
Now apply that to your gadgets. When your laptop actually connects to the Zoom meeting without freezing, drop a quick “Alhamdulillah.” When your phone battery survives a long day without dying, give thanks. Trust me, gratitude makes everything, even tech glitches, feel lighter.
3. Mindful Usage = Sunnah Goals
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was all about balance. He didn’t overindulge in food, sleep, or even acts of worship. Now think about how we’re glued to our gadgets 24/7. It’s giving “addiction vibes,” and honestly, it’s not cute.
Take a Sunnah-inspired approach. Set limits. The next time your screen time app sends you that savage report about your 9-hour TikTok binge, use it as a reminder to unplug. Maybe use that time to read Quran, hang with family, or, get this, actually go outside. Crazy, right?
4. Share the Barakah of Tech
The Prophet (peace be upon him) loved sharing blessings. Whether it was food, knowledge, or a kind word, he always made sure others benefited too. Now, how do we do that with our gadgets? Easy.
Share that Spotify playlist of halal lo-fi beats with your squad. Use your social media to spread uplifting Islamic reminders or even some clean, halal humor. And hey, if you’ve got extra tech lying around, donate it to someone who needs it. Your old tablet could be someone’s first Quran-reading device. Barakah points unlocked.
5. Gratitude, Even When It’s Annoying
Let’s be real: not everything about modern gadgets is amazing. Who hasn’t been personally victimized by autocorrect turning “Salam” into “Salami”? Or by the Wi-Fi cutting out during the last round of an intense gaming session? Frustrating, right?
But here’s the thing: the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced way bigger challenges with patience and gratitude. Remember the story of Taif? After being rejected and pelted with stones, he made dua, thanking Allah and asking for His mercy. If he could do that, we can definitely stay grateful through a few tech fails. Say it with me: Alhamdulillah for the good, the bad, and the buffering.
6. Use Tech to Strengthen Your Connection with Allah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) always prioritized his connection with Allah. Your gadgets can actually help you with this. Use prayer apps to keep track of salah. Set Quran recitation as your morning alarm (way better than that default obnoxious iPhone tone, trust me). And don’t sleep on all the amazing Islamic content out there, lectures, podcasts, even halal comedy sketches.
Make your tech work for your deen. It’s like giving your phone a spiritual glow-up.
7. Reflect and Recharge
Lastly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) often spent time in quiet reflection. Whether it was in the cave of Hira or during tahajjud, he understood the importance of unplugging from the world. We can do the same, literally.
Turn off your notifications, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and take a break. Reflect on how blessed we are to live in a time with so much convenience. Use that time to make dua, plan your goals, or just chill with your thoughts. Trust me, your soul needs it as much as your battery does.
Final Thoughts
Living like the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the age of AI and AirPods might sound like a stretch, but it’s totally doable. His principles of gratitude, balance, and intentionality are timeless. By channeling those values into our tech-filled lives, we’re not just staying connected to our gadgets, we’re staying connected to our deen.
So, the next time you’re snapping selfies or scrolling through memes, remember: Bismillah, Alhamdulillah, and keep it Sunnah. Now go forth and use your gadgets wisely, my tech-savvy Ummah. And don’t forget to charge your phone… and your iman. Peace out!