Hey there, fellow Gen Z Muslims! Let’s talk about something we all love and hate at the same time: technology. Yep, your phone, tablet, laptop, that little glowing rectangle you’re probably reading this on right now. It’s our lifeline to the world, our entertainment hub, and, let’s be real, our biggest time-sucking black hole.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever gone to check a quick notification and ended up three hours deep in TikTok’s algorithm, learning how to make a lasagna-shaped cake you’ll never bake. Yeah, same. So how do we balance our tech habits with living a meaningful, productive life rooted in the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ? Glad you asked. Let’s dive in, with some humor, wisdom, and practical tips inspired by our beloved Prophet (PBUH).
Step 1: Audit Your Day the Sunnah Way
Alright, first things first. Do you know where your time is going? Like, really know? According to a hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death” (Al-Hakim). Heavy stuff, right?
But here’s the Gen Z remix: open your phone’s screen time tracker and prepare to gasp. If Instagram’s holding you hostage for six hours a day, that’s a whole lot of free time being preoccupied. Make a quick list of your daily activities (yes, “doomscrolling” counts). Once you see where your time is slipping away, you can reclaim it.
Step 2: The Barakah of Intentions
Let’s get one thing straight: using tech isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it’s an incredible tool. What matters is your intention (niyyah). The Prophet (PBUH) famously said: “Actions are judged by intentions” (Bukhari). So ask yourself, “What’s my goal here?”
Are you using your phone to stay connected with family, share Islamic reminders, or learn something new? Or are you just… killing time? Next time you pick up your phone, set a clear intention. Bonus points if you whisper, “Bismillah,” before you open that app. Yes, even Snapchat.
Step 3: Schedule Like a Sunnah Pro
Fun fact: the Prophet (PBUH) was the king of time management. His day was structured around salah (prayer), ensuring he stayed grounded and purposeful. So why not take a page out of his playbook?
Start by anchoring your schedule around the five daily prayers. For example:
- Fajr: Start your day with prayer, then tackle something meaningful, studying, journaling, or even a quick workout. No, going back to bed doesn’t count.
- Dhuhr: Midday reset. Use this as a tech-free lunch break or a moment to reflect.
- Asr: Push through the afternoon slump by focusing on productive tasks.
- Maghrib: Wind down with family or engage in dhikr.
- Isha: Set your phone aside for the night and reflect on your day. (Yes, I’m looking at you, midnight scrollers!)
Scheduling your day like this not only keeps you grounded but also helps you resist the temptation to let tech take over.
Step 4: Embrace the Power of Disconnecting
The Prophet (PBUH) often retreated to the Cave of Hira for solitude and reflection. No Wi-Fi, no notifications, no endless scroll. Just him and his Creator. While I’m not suggesting you abandon your smartphone and move to a cave (though, tempting), carving out some tech-free time for reflection is a game-changer.
Try this: set a daily “no-tech” hour. Use it to pray, read Quran, journal, or just sit quietly. Trust me, your brain will thank you for the breather.
Step 5: Practice Digital Minimalism… Prophet-Style
The Prophet (PBUH) lived simply and encouraged us to do the same. Now, I know minimalism isn’t exactly the vibe of your cluttered camera roll, but hear me out. Ask yourself: do you really need every single app, notification, or YouTube subscription? Probably not.
Here’s your challenge: Marie Kondo your digital life. Delete apps that don’t spark joy (or productivity), turn off unnecessary notifications, and maybe, just maybe, unfollow that influencer who’s making you feel bad about your perfectly imperfect life.
Step 6: Make Tech Your Tool, Not Your Tyrant
Use your phone for good, like listening to Islamic podcasts, joining virtual Quran circles, or spreading positivity on social media. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The best of people are those who bring the most benefit to others” (Daraqutni). So be that person! Share a hadith, post a dua, or DM a friend to check in on them.
When you’re intentional with your tech, it stops being a distraction and starts becoming a tool for barakah.
Step 7: Forgive Yourself (and Try Again Tomorrow)
Here’s the truth: no one’s perfect. You’re going to have days where you binge-watch an entire Netflix series or spend way too much time perfecting your BeReal. That’s okay. What matters is that you recognize it, repent, and try again tomorrow. Allah loves those who turn back to Him, so don’t beat yourself up.
In Conclusion: Balance is the Key
Tech is a blessing, but like any blessing, it’s all about how we use it. By following the timeless wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), we can make our days more productive, purposeful, and, dare I say it, barakah-filled.
So, let’s put these steps into action. Audit your time, set intentions, anchor your day with prayer, and maybe even go on a little tech detox. Who knows? You might just find that life offline isn’t so bad after all.
And if you mess up? No worries, fam. Just take a deep breath, say “Astaghfirullah,” and try again. You got this.
Now your turn: What’s your biggest tech-time-waster, and how do you plan to tackle it? Drop your thoughts below, and no, scrolling the comments for hours doesn’t count as productive.