Shar‘i Ruling on TikTok Usage and Its Effects✍ Answered by: Al-ʿĀlim Khidr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh
Question:
What is the Shar‘i ruling on using social media apps like TikTok, where immoral content is widespread?
Answer:
Issuing a definitive ruling on any app or platform is challenging, as its use depends primarily on the user’s intention and purpose. However, based on Shar‘i principles, the following guidance can be offered regarding platforms like TikTok and similar apps:
General Principles for Internet & Social Media Usage
Social media and internet platforms fall into three categories:
General Internet Usage
✔ The internet itself is neither inherently good nor bad —
✔ Its nature depends entirely on how it is used.
✔ It may be used for beneficial and permissible purposes, such as education, communication, and daʿwah.
✔ One should avoid misuse and treat it as a blessing from Allah used responsibly.
Neutral Platforms for Communication and Information
Examples: WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter
✔ These platforms can be used for both good and evil.
✔ Positive, Sharʿī-compliant usage is possible and often encouraged.
✔ They can be tools for spreading goodness, knowledge, and religious guidance.
✔ Their beneficial use should be promoted.
Platforms Dominated by Immorality and Harmful Trends
Examples: TikTok, Snack Videos, Bigo
✘ These platforms are known for:
– Frivolous,
– Indecent, and
– Immoral content being dominant.
✔ Such platforms lack meaningful educational or beneficial usage.
✔ Their use should be discouraged, and their harms highlighted.
Common Harms of TikTok and Similar Apps
Promotion of Immodesty (Fahāshī):
Men and women upload videos that violate the boundaries of modesty, strictly condemned in Sharīʿah.
Widespread Music and Songs:
These platforms are saturated with musical content, which is explicitly prohibited in Islam.
Illicit Gender Interaction:
Non-maḥram men and women engage in casual, often inappropriate interactions — a violation of Islamic ethics.
Mockery & Frivolity:
Jokes, satire, and insensitive behavior are widespread, which goes against dignified Islamic conduct.
Waste of Time:
Users become addicted to pointless scrolling, leading to the destruction of valuable time without any worldly or spiritual benefit.
Conclusion
Platforms like TikTok, which are overwhelmingly associated with immoral behavior, wastage of time, and ethical decline, should be strongly discouraged.✔ Individuals using such platforms should be advised about their harms
✔ And encouraged to turn toward productive, beneficial activities.
