Joining an online community like the Odyssey has proven to be quite a drastic change in my life. In particular, my transition from having absolutely no social media to having a Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, StumbleUpon and Reddit. You could say that I freaked out a bit. My experience was similar to jumping from a calm and serene pasture into bustling traffic. To say the least, it was a major cultural shock, in the sense that I became so much more aware of the vastness and diversity of the online community.

Naturally, in this predicament, I found myself drawn towards the guidance of the Quran, and what it had to say about some of my fears regarding social media. I soon found myself reading the following ayah.

“The mutual rivalry for piling up (of worldly things) has preoccupied you" (Quran, 102:1)

This ayah from the Quran can be used to address the predicament that many of us find in our society today, especially in terms of social media. Unfortunately, social media instantly becomes a means by which we fill a widening hole inside us. A hole dug by our own two hands, affecting our overall relationship with our Creator and Sustainer.

In an attempt to fill in and patch up this hole, we turn to an easier means of fulfillment and sustenance but end up feeling even more lonely and depressed. Whether we pile up the likes on our Instagram posts or friends on our Facebook, we always find ourselves preoccupied with trying to increase what we try so hard to invest and compete in.

Similarly, within the first few days of using all these platforms, I found that I was more interested in gaining followers and friends on Instagram and likes and comments on Facebook than I was in spending time with Allah (SWT) in prayers. It was becoming evident that I was losing connection with the things that would truly benefit me and make me happy. I learned that it is often that we lose sight of our purpose and parts of ourselves in this endeavor. The more we try to fill in our emptiness with things that provide only temporary fulfillment, the more we deviate from our straight path by getting hooked on the feeling of being praised and adored.

Social media poses a direct threat in deviating our praise and adoration for Allah (SWT) to ourselves and the relationships we make through online mediums. I feared that over time, social media would be something that fed my ego or made me self-conscious and insecure. I was afraid that it might suck me into a self-destructive void in which my relationship with my Allah (SWT) was shoved aside and replaced by the expectations of society.

But as I started to push away I asked, how about if I started to use social media to build and preserve my relationship with Allah(SWT) and myself? How about if I use my platforms to bring about change and awareness to those who find themselves in a self-destructive void?

I realize now that social media is, in fact, a tool that different people use in different ways. Whatever way you choose to wield or present this tool is up to you, as you are the one who reaps the consequences in the end. It is just as easy to use social media platforms to organize, unite, inform and remind as it is to distort your self-image to fit in with society and destroy your relationship with yourself and Allah (SWT).

While I can't say that I feel fully comfortable with social media, I can say that I am in the process of getting there. My experience happens to be different from the majority of social media users, as it is often that social media is something that people anticipate and are excited to use. However, my fear of living in a world where social media controls the way we see people, including ourselves and interact with our environment and creator overshadowed my anticipation and instead made me hesitant.

Nevertheless, instead of allowing hesitation to control me, as a new member of the online community, I pledge myself contribute to making a world far different from the one I fear. Through my actions, I hope that I can normalize the use of social media as a catalyst for understanding, equality, confidence and respect. I plan to utilize all these interfaces to continue to widen my horizon as well as take stances behind ideas that I support. I plan to not preoccupy myself with social media or prioritize it over time I spend with Allah (SWT) but to instead learn about others and listen to their voices and their stories.

The following short poem highlights my experience of social media.

In my eyes and in my world I felt alive and free from the chains of the internet, which had bound those around me.

However, I soon found myself committed to a community,

So I stepped through the screen and fell into a world I previously thought was only occupied by the dead

Held together by only a string of faith, I found myself looking at new opportunities.

“Don't get hooked," that's what my friend said.

“Take it one step at a time," that's what my mind said.

“Break down in tears," that's what my body said.

In frustration, I decided to stick with none of the three.

So instead, I turned to Allah (SWT) and pleaded, "Help me!"

I was feeling overwhelmed at the newfound power at my fingertips and the pressure from society.

Still trying to adjust, I'm glad I have support from my friends and family.

Despite the foreign atmosphere, I feel confident that I will succeed.

With a few thoughts in mind, I will begin to explore this fantasy:

I will not give in to what society expects from me.

I will use this tool to the best of my ability and engage in things that hold quality.

Most importantly, I will not let it define or preoccupy me.