In today’s digital age, many young people find a sense of belonging through online communities. The internet has made it possible for people with similar ideologies, interests, hobbies, and beliefs to connect with each other from all corners of the globe. While this can be a positive thing, it has also led to the rise of the phenomena of “digital Islamism”.
As Muslims, it is our obligation to work towards the implementation of sharia in not only our nations but our day to day life as well. However, it is important to remember that supporting sharia is not a personality trait or something quirky to differentiate yourself from others. It is a fundamental part of our faith. I have personally experienced the lure of online communities like “Islamogram” or “Muslim Twitter,” and I know that many readers of this website are also active in these spaces.
The “Islamist” hivemind of MT and Islamogram
While these communities can be a great source of support and connection, it is important to be aware of their limitations. Just like any other community, there are pros and cons to participating in these online spaces. On the one hand, they can provide a sense of belonging and a platform for discussing important issues. On the other hand, it is easy to get caught up in the echo chamber of these communities and lose sight of the bigger picture.
It is important to remember that our primary goal as Muslims should be to follow the teachings of Islam and strive for personal growth and improvement. We should not let online communities or any other external factors define us or distract us from this goal. Instead, we should use them as tools to enhance our faith and connect with others, while also being mindful of the potential pitfalls. These online brotherhoods may seem noble on the face of it but is plagued with deceit, slander, backbiting as well as power tripping moderators that can’t tolerate opposing views.
The quasi-intellectual “Islamist” monolith
The ignoble circus clowns always tend to always stand out. But in the case of Islamism, it is the unquestioning puritanical monolith. Whilst they stand against freedom of speech, they weaponize the freedom to whatever extent they enjoy it to further their goals. While they speak about the sad reality of Muslim oppression and the west’s silence towards it, these holy liberators of the oppressed never open their mouth except when their own are at peril.
While they kept on yapping about our Uyghur brothers and sisters, these same people were on the other side of speaking out against the Chinese oppression in Tibet and Hong Kong. Whilst they shed crocodile tears for our Indian Muslims, they never uttered a word for the Christians and Sikhs that are facing the same wrath of Hindutva. Why expect tears of others for our own when you are the very same?
Abu Bakr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, if people see an oppressor and they do not seize his hand, Allah will soon send His punishment upon all of them.”
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2168
The point I am making is not whataboutism. I am not saying “do not speak about the Uyghurs or the Indians”. To the contrary, I am saying we as Muslims are obliged to speak for our oppressed Muslim brothers and sisters and go beyond and speak for all the oppressed. Did the people of Sindh not side with Muhammad Qasim? Were the Muslims not welcomed by the people for standing against oppression?
But the most heinous crime of the monolith is absolutely devaluing the need for any sort of intellectual reforms or financial improvements. Never is the thought of ideological advancement ever brought up. The idea of frugal stoicism is rampant and for a so called “collective”, one’s ambitions are absolutely restricted to individual progress. “I will become engineer and do this and that. Once I am established I will help Muslims.”
As Palani Baba once said, “You are okay with spending a 100 rupees for TV cables every month but can’t even give a 10th of it for the masjid.”
The impact of online brainwashing on individuals and communities
The presence of foreign factors such as involvement of intelligence agencies, thinktanks and even those with an unhinged perception of reality and Islam can have serious consequences for individuals and communities. And these elements are not only “NOT FOREIGN” in these communities or circles, but rather an inevitable every day part of this. They are present just as oxygen is in air.
Every day, dozens of young children are indoctrinated into accepting and endorsing beliefs of the khawarij. Many even falling to such holes that they engage in takfeer even over their own Muslim parents, who are their flesh and blood, who raised them with the best of food and education in some of the most civilised and advanced nations of the planet.
Evidently, their talents and communicative capabilities don’t extend beyond “raiding Discord servers” which they nonchalantly brand “Jihad Fee Sabeelillah” as well as targeting the lives of innocent Muslims under the guise of “purging heretics”.
In fact, these saintly people are the earliest proponents of circulating censored “gay porn memes” in order to allegedly “mock” Western values and cultures. And subsequently those that stick with them out of fascination rather than allegiance import such filth into the quarters of other Islamic communities. Many spread it naively without suspecting the nature or origin of the meme, while others spread it assuming that it is not that bad. They even went on to spam it on one of their raids and shenanigans of early 2021 of many prominent Muslim Discord servers.
Feelings of isolation and resentment
This can lead to feelings of isolation, alienation, and a lack of belonging, as well as contributing to violence and overly hostile attitude towards the majority of the Muslims as well as non Muslims. It is important to understand the factors that can contribute to such demented ideologies and to work towards preventing it.
In conclusion, while online communities can be a great source of support and connection, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of digital “Islamism” and online “brotherhood”. As Muslims, our primary focus should be on following the teachings of Islam and striving for personal growth and improvement. We should not let external factors or online communities define or distract us from this goal.
Note: This is what “personal growth and improvement” means personified.
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