Recently, the use of social media platforms has become widespread for promotional and advertising purposes, between the contents of those seeking fame, attracting a larger number of followers and obtaining the largest number of views, and the contents for entertainment, amusement, work, communication and acquaintance purposes... as well as for following political, economic and intellectual news pages.

Because the user of the sites appears through a virtual and unreal digital account, as his real personality disappears behind the computer screen, mobile or tablet, which has allowed absolute freedom to show his hidden traits; some of them are polite and respectful in their style, and some are rude and frivolous in their publication and comments. It is no secret that if the matter is not based on controls and determinants, it will end in chaos.

Here are seven important tips for adhering to religious and rational controls when using social media platforms:

First: A legal and religious control: The believing individual must realize the responsibility of the limbs in use, and take into account the honesty of expression and words, and observe Allah Almighty when publishing and commenting. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad - may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace - says: “A person may speak a word that pleases Allah, without thinking about it, and Allah will raise him in status because of it. And verily, a person may speak a word that displeases Allah, without thinking about it, and because of it he will fall into Hellfire.”

So we must contemplate what we want to spread: is it for us or against us? Because the believer watches Allah, the Watcher over us, and fears the Day of Judgment. Allah the Almighty said: {On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.}

It is not permissible to spread false news, and it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the text and the integrity of its source before publishing.

Second: A moral and behavioral control: You must be patient and control your nerves towards those who disagree with you in opinion and belief and whose convictions intersect with yours, and avoid responding quickly by commenting on others’ posts, as rushing to respond may make you regret it, especially in arguments over controversial matters such as doctrine and politics.

Third: Avoid rushing to support and promote news and incidents without verifying and confirming them: as they may lead to a security breach, chaos, slander, or attack on a belief or a respected symbol of a sect or group, or destabilize security or raise doubts, which leads to enmity and hatred. Therefore, it is necessary to stop spreading them immediately. It was stated in the hadith: “It is enough of a sin for a person to talk about everything he hears.”

Fourth: Legalcontrol: You must be careful not to get involved in harming people by blackmailing them because this entails legal consequences that criminalize the blackmailer and are pursued by the responsible authorities.

Fifth: Make your goal when using social media platforms and websites the exchange of benefits in matters of this world and the hereafter: Let your principle be kind words, fruitful dialogue, argument in the best way, spreading the spirit of hope and optimism, spreading love and peace, attracting opponents, and attracting emerging groups in order to direct them towards righteousness and virtue.

Sixth: Adhere to the timing, programming, and immediate exit strategy. Do not occupy all your time and consume it in random browsing and following trivial clips and vulgar pictures. Rather, set specific time periods for useful goals. If a disagreement occurs with someone and develops into a fight and a sterile argument, then take the initiative to leave your account or the site immediately so that the matter does not turn into a crisis and a problem that may put you in a big mess, especially since some people document what you write with the direct photography feature (screenshot) of your responses.

Seventh: The credibility and honesty control: If you are one of those who work on managing pages to promote certain products such as medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, or selling food delivery and others, you must adhere to honesty and credibility and that the product displayed in the pictures is the same one that you send to the buyer, and that you make your conscience the supervisor, and fear Allah in deceiving or defrauding the customer, because in addition to the sin for which you will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection, the law will pursue you and your reputation will be bad, which will cause you to suffer loss, and you will be afflicted with disappointment and frustration.

Be honest, trustworthy and reliable so that your customers will increase and your profits will increase.