How social media and the rise of Muslim influencers affect Ramadan
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Hope you enjoyed this!
Contents of the video:
0:00 - Intro
2:00 - My own personal background
6:19 - What "fasting" even is
7:48 - Social media's effect on Ramdan
9:40 - Is Ramdan becoming like Christmas?
12:30 - Is calling out these Muslim influencers justified?
13:46 - How we as a Muslim community can fix this issue
15:20 - These Muslim influencers are a product of capitalism, consumerism, and individualism
17:29 - How unifying, having empathy, and focusing on our own deen is the solution
19:50 - Conclusion
Here's the blogpost I made about this / social-medias-effect-o...
Here's my instagram if you'd like to connect :) / saara.kaan
My tiktok is www.tiktok.com/@iamnotsara?la...
My email is sarasofficialemailacc@gmail.com
Thanks!
This is why every Ramadan for 6 years running, I have fled social media for the month of Ramadan.
We are debasing the purpose of Ramadan by doing Suhoor fests and massive Iftar spreads, this is a month about spiritual fulfillment, not overconsumption.
Good for you!! And I 100% agree
i tried this year :/
agreed!
I think the “could Ramadan be becoming the next Christmas” is a great thesis that really emphasizes how far Ramadan could fall, tying it to capitalizing of culture.
I will say that unfortunately, I’m not very well versed with Muslim terms. I’m not exactly sure what the meaning of influencers showing off “abayas” during Ramadan and such means, although I’ve inferred from context that it’s equivalent to someone showing off their expensive clothes and jewelry during a month where you’re supposed to be learning humility and putting yourself in the shoes of those less fortunate than you, like those suffering through the bombing.
This is a very raw and unfiltered video! Thank you for sharing and explaining an issue I would’ve never thought about before now!
an abaya is just a loose-fitted dress! but yes your inference was right!
Yup your inference is right! Thank you so much for watching
For me personally Social Media is a positive aspect during Ramadan cause it gives me a community feeling my little town in Europe cannot provide. But of course I am old enough to filter out the good from the bad inshallah
Aww I'm glad social media has had a positive effect on you :)
There's an Islamic term for being sufficient for what Allah gave to us and what we already have now which is called Qana'ah. This is something I hold on to whenever I want to buy something. Before I decided to buy something, I took a step back to think whether these things were something I needed immediately or I just wanna buy because it's cute and I could afford them.
I love that
A great thought-provoking video essay. Here in my culture, dressing up lavishly in Eid is super common and seen as important but I have noticed lately people have even brought that mindset into Ramadan and now theres a responsibility to always look good even in Ramadan. Aside from that, the idea of their being muslim “influencers” always bothered me. The whole concept of these internet influencers to me goes against our teachings in Islam; the idea of always promoting something, showing off all your new purchases, and all the great places you were invited to. It’s only palatable when the person is able to influence people with good and bring them closer to their deen.
Agreed!!
This was very interesting and I love the points you brought up. I do think one of the (many) odd factors of social media is when it’s public, vs accounts being private and content being shared only with one’s natural circle. We see and know too much about people we’ve never met. That being said I took a social media break this Ramadan and it helped me focus on the fast, the prayers, catching up on Quran and staying in touch with family. I bought only one abaya as I only needed one this year (don’t pray out much here, compared to when I lived abroad in Muslim majority counties), and it was easier to stop thinking about what I didn’t have when I unplugged. The struggle is to now keep it up after Ramadan. Hope you make more of these!
Good for you!! And yes I agree social media makes everything have a really weird dynamic. Thank you for watching and I'll try inshallah. Much love!!
this is prevalent where I'm from (Singapore), and has been for decades. while i love seeing the community come together, there are also caveats. within the throngs of people clamouring around the night bazaars, i've seen people dress even more provocative than they do in nightclubs. this year, the bazaars are smaller. partly due to what's happening in Gaza. i feel our ummah's conscience has somewhat been restored or rudely awakened (depending on where you stood before) because of that.
agreed!! It's almost like the veil has been lifted because things have been getting worse and worse
The Palestine war has shaken a lot of people to dig into the Islam religion. Hopefully a lot of people start to convert to Islam as they understood that western countries that used to speak about human rights are actually acting for their own benefits so people aren’t silly and start to seek about the truth, may Allah bless and help all Islam converted
Inshallah
This is such a good video mashallah I love that you said we shouldn't judge these influencers or just come at them cuz then nothing would change and I 100% agree - people are being so aggressive but that won't lead to bettering ourselves, instead it makes us worse
Thank you!!
Welcome back 😊, I ❤ Ur videos, 🇪🇬❤️🇮🇳
Thank you!
Mashallah nice video!! Keep going 👏🏼
I really appreciate your video and you really speak to the issues of influencers and their promotion of capitalism aspect. It's a rising concern and I, too, have noticed it. We definitely need to scale back on the buying lot's of abayas, decor, and extravagant meals. I had also seen a tiktok where a woman was complaining that her abaya wasn't being delivered in time for Ramadan and was calling the company out. I commented if it was really that deep. She already mentioned she had one eid abaya and was complaining that the second one didn't show up. Because Muslims celebrate Eid prayer and then go out in the day, so 2 outfits. But that's not really necessary. We should practice the way the Prophet Pbuh dressed on Eid. If we learned anything in Ramadan, then we wouldn't have wordly conflicts over materialistic things. Esp with our brothers and sister's being oppressed.
I do feel like there are some positive aspects to influencer's ramadan videos which I'm gonna write.
I think influencers can positively affect Ramadan and here's why:
Positive Aspect: They influence to make Ramadan festive. I think in the west especially, Ramadan for me even growing here, we have never seen it as a festive or positive holiday as children. It was nothing to get excited over. How is it that disbelievers are excited over their holidays, they clean, they get ready, they decorate their houses and present it in the best manner for their holiday and religion when it is false- yet we can't show the same appreciation and energy, cleanliness, and motivation for Ramadan- and treat it like any other day of the year? I don't think it is right.
I think when it comes to worshipping Allah, modesty and lack of excessiveness is correct. However, when there are special occasions, we are to put more effort. Ramadan, knowing it is the best of months, you will make sure your home is extra beautiful along (deep clean the house, make it smell extra nice, clean yourself really nice, be in the state of wudu more) with beautifying your deeds (reading extra quran, praying extra, duas) , doing it for the sake of Allah. Fix your intention and any of that is a good deed. When you present yourself to Allah, you're going to present yourself in the best manner and appearance which is clean clothes that smell nice. We want to teach our children this, how special Ramadan is and it's not just any other time of the year.
Allah prescribed Ramadan and Eid al fitri and Eid al adha and hajj season as special holy celebratory events, weddings as well. These celebratory events should be done in an enthusiastic way, looking from the examples of the way the Prophet Muhammad pbuh used to celebrate. We shouldn't of course support over consumerism and consumption and instead increase in charity. But, I think the influencers are motivating to other muslims to be taking Ramadan as a happy, joyful time of the year for us and putting effort in beautifying our homes and occasion for our children and establishing importance in this month. I think what influencers could do better is showing more of the worship aspect or teaching beneficial things in the month, such as Qur'an or sadaqah and lowering consumerism and spending. Like decorate, but not excessively. Spend little, but spend more on sadaqah and the ill, masjids, etc.
Another positive aspect of influencers do: showing helpful tips during Ramadan of time management, exercise, etc. I have always been stressed when Ramadan comes and I have no idea how to live my life (work, school, exercise, etc). But influencers that show how they time manage well whilst fasting, etc gives me motivation to manage my time better. I take their tips and tricks that I didn't know I could do. I know currently I have seen Aysha Harun showing how she's exercising and maintaining everyday life within Ramadan which is helpful to those that still have to work, exercise, etc whilst fasting. It's helpful to see how others manage their time well. I
Positive aspect of Iftar Get Togethers- I think influencers could definitely cut down on the extravagance of iftar parties (decor, expenses) but again, I think that the togetherness aspect, congregation aspect, praying together, making dua together, breaking fast together communally is so beneficial in our ummah. We need more of that, especially in an individual driven based society. Ramadan brings us together communally. Maybe, we can incorporate iftar donations communally, visiting the ill together, promoting sadaqah instead of buying abayas upon abayas. Fashion is cool but again don't get stuck on materialism and over consumption. Buying lots of abayas in competition with one another when our muslim brethren are suffering around the world is just wrong. That's why this Ramadan/Eid, I didn't buy a new abaya. I just wore something clean that I had in my closet and didn't wear in a long time.
These influencers are heading in the right direction with their content but they need to tweak aspects such as not spending so much, spending too much on decor, having their content be less superficial (show more aspects of worship and Islam and make that the focal point) rather than focusing on mundane tasks, partying. Dividing the content time wisely so the impact is better for Muslim viewers.
I think they only upload though because of sponsorships and it's their job so they have to advertise products. Deen over Duniya y'all. Gotta try hard to not promote capitalism by possibly switching to a more halal streamline of income or... changing your content layout.
Just came across this channel. Subscribed.
thank you!
Love your take and you should make more video essays or publish your essays❤❤❤
I don't really agree I think it's depend on your culture. In my contry in west Africa people have always celebreated Eid with new tailored clothes. Often more rich people would give poor people new clothes too for that special occasion. It's just that since more western people are becoming muslim, they will also add some of their culture to their practice, so decor and gifts will thus look more like what they used to do for Xmas, and I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you do it to please your family and increase joy for those festivities. But if you are doing it to impress, boast, and you waist food or shame less fortunate then you, than yes that would be problematic. But only Allah knows what is in theire heart, so we can't really assume that someone is decorating to show off or to shame less fortunate..
This video was about the month of Ramadan not Eid. We're supposed to wear our best clothes on Eid, however, for Ramadan, shouldn't we be more humble? I'm East African and we do the same, however, we make sure to make Ramadan about humility and closeness to Allah.
@@nadiaa4004 I understand your point but I don't thing closeness to Allah and humility in in contradiction to decorate and enjoy the blessings that God has given to you. Christians do believe that wealth and piety can be contradictory, but in Islam nothing says that someone rich can't enjoy their blessings, as long as their intention is not to boast. And as I said before, you can't judge people's intention by a social media post. If it bothers you, don't watch it then. But the influencers I follow also show the prayers, the sadaka, the hardsips of fasting while also enjoying their wealth, and that is motivating for me, specially since I don't have family near me during Ramadan. So I guess to each their own. We can't all feel the same way about everything 🙂.
Yes it's all about intentions
This was a really interesting video! It’s definitely worth the effort to protect the religious tradition but I dont think the blame for the change it is seeing should be laid entirely at the feet of capitalism. The people who falter and slip into consumerism against their faith are not spared judgement just because society is capitalistic, they will be judged on their actions and must take responsibility for their movements through the world and their faith. I’d love to see a video of you breaking down the interconnected nature of Capitalism and how you see its interaction with the world as a whole!
agreed although I would say that people's actions do lie behind nature of capitalism which normalises things like consumerism and therefore both are at blame. You are right in saying they will not be spared judgement simply because of society being capitalist!
I agree with your point!! It's not all black and white in whose to blame, because it really does come down to your own personal intentions. Ooo that sounds like a great video, I'll try to work on that next inshallah. Thank you for watching
can you upload these videos as audio in any website like google podcast
I'm not sure.. I'll look into it though!
Assalamu Alaykum. I am a brother and I wanted to add that avoid social media like the plague during Ramadan. It just feels haram to be on your phone all time tbh. I’m not saying that using your phone is haram, but like our screen time is literally being collected for data, our community needs to be smarter.
You're right, but also you need to understand that probably those sisters/brothers that selling and living showing muslims brands never disappear, so you need to know thay they're like a typical wenster models and don't be serious about a role model in Islamic things...
They do have a huge impact on muslims and non-muslims all over the world and we can't ignore that
IFTAR! When the restaurant charges almost $50 for a BUFFET. I know, I know, it’s not McDonald's, but seriously? Not counting drinks. Charge 50 bucks FOR IFTAR and it doesn't include drinks? 🙄
And they are packed. Is half going to charity or something? To feed poor people? No? Just, wow.
Ikr!
She is pretty.
Aww thank you!!!
Can non-muslim do ramadan, along with muslim friends? I really wanna do it cause I love it.
Hello! 💓 I believe it's definitely okay to try and fast as a non-muslim as long as you have the intention to do so!! You can even do it by yourself too with or without Muslim friends!! Just ensure that you follow the rules that come with fasting in Islam like suhoor, making sure you know what time you'll break your fast, what should be avoided during fasting etc and you're basically all set!) You can actually search a ton of videos of non muslims trying to fast for the first time in RUclips or socials so hopefully that'll give you the inspiration to try it out yourself!! For first timers, it may be a bit of a struggle to go through but regardless, there's so much good in doing it & I hope you enjoy all there is to fasting!! ✨☺️💚
Hello! 💓 I believe it's definitely okay to try and fast as a non-muslim as long as you have the intention to do so!! You can even do it by yourself too with or without Muslim friends!! Just ensure that you follow the rules that come with fasting in Islam like suhoor, making sure you know what time you'll break your fast, what should be avoided during fasting etc and you're basically all set!) You can actually search a ton of videos of non muslims trying to fast for the first time in RUclips or socials so hopefully that'll give you the inspiration to try it out yourself!! For first timers, it may be a bit of a struggle to go through but regardless, there's so much good in doing it & I hope you enjoy all there is to fasting!! ✨☺️💚
Modest Middle Path of Deen Islam vs Artificial intelligence?
this essay is wonderful and informative but sister Stanley is on the boycott list for donating to Isr*el 💔💔💔
I’m trying to make my feed halal
Please upload more videos sister
why is it even called fasting when you are just changing your eating patterns from the day to the night?
Fasting is the abstention from eating and sometimes drinking for some time. Muslims basically do not eat or drink anything from dawn to sunset. Its a long time so its considered a fast.
@@user-je9oi6dh1w I don’t eat until lunch till 6
The ideal is not staying up all night and eat then sleep away most of the day. If you know people who are doing that, it doesn't mean they are the example to follow. I see muslims dating and they infer sleeping together, this does not mean that is the islamic ideal, or that it is behavior befitting of a muslim.
Fasting is avoiding anything that could break the fast not just eating. And it is called fasting (English translation)because islam said so . Nuff said
Whole of islam has just become a show
Hey Sara! Be careful of ur hijab exposing ur hair/awrah. Try wearing a full under cap that goes down to the chest/neck😊.
Do we get sin if it was by accident or it is a very hot day so little neck shows or is it the intention that counts I don't even know
@@Prettyenergyy ur gonna have to ask a scholar but what I can say is that it’s better to wear a under cap that’s long enough to the chest so that way the neck ears etc. won’t show and u wouldn’t have to worry. Just be careful and make sure u do styles that don’t expose the awrah as well likewise w ur clothing. Make sure it’s not beautified or tight or see thru. In’Shaa’Allah khair. May Allah make it easier for us.
@@Prettyenergyy np! And don’t use that emoji as in the prayer thing that kuffar do and be careful of using emojis that are considered images.
I am from yemen, and l don't agree with you. Please don't search about other Muslims mistaken
But one thing I want to mention here is that
It's very good you that you are telling about the importance of Ramadan
I appreciate that
But at the same I donot like the idea that you are blaming other influencers...
I have watched their vedios and nowhere in their vedios they have taked about or encouraged people to buy new clothes or other things
They have always mentioned about their feelings for Palestine but that doesn't mean they can't make vedios
You are also doing the same thing
You are also making money by making vedios
It's good to teach everyone about Islam but blaming others doesn't make you a good Muslim
I have recently converted to Islam and sorry girl I don't like the way you are blaming other Muslims ❤
I agree, we need to be unified as a muslim community and not point fingers that just brings division.