I didn't have a smartphone till 2012. I used it mainly to access Youtube videos. However, a friend introduced me to facebook and I thought it was a good idea to get connected to friends.
Little did I know that I was going to get somewhat addicted to smartphones. I wasn't actively using facebook. As plain as it sounds, I was only using it to post pictures of my kids.
I was also conducting some social media study related to my job at that time. But things took a turn in 2017. Yes, that was just last year, when I got to know Instagram.
So I was basically letting myself get hooked on random posts and stories, some religious ones, some commercial, some insightful and others are just downright humorous.
Time spent on my mobile increased to the extent that I did not get the proper rest that my body needed.
My mood changed from subtle to irritable.
And my daily tasks were of course affected.
But alhamdulillah. Allah s.w.t. is watching me, and knows I needed help. So He moved me to watch a Youtube video. The message was a hard slap on my face.
{فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ آنَاءِ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ} [طه : 130]
( 130 ) So be patient over what they say and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.
Message for mobile addicts: Be patient and restrain yourself from your gadgets. Praise Allah s.w.t. instead and you will find happiness.
{وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ} [طه : 131]
(131 ) And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
Message for shopping addiction:
Don't look at what others have. What Allah s.w.t. is giving you are better than all that.
{وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ} [طه : 132]
( 132 ) And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.
Message for parents who are holding their gadgets more than they hold their children: Our number one duty towards our children is not about providing their material needs, but is to fulfill their spiritual needs. What their souls need. Teach them solah.
SubhanAllah. I was guilty. And He did not punish me. But He broadened my path towards Him.
Forgive me ya Allah for all the wasted opportunities I could have gotten with my children, with my family and above all with You.
