As-salāmu ʿalaykum!
Welcome back to another blog post.

I pray you’re doing well — wherever you are in this world.
And I ask Allah to forgive all of us for our sins… the ones we hide, the ones we struggle with, and the ones we don’t even realize we’re committing.

Today’s blog is heavy.
It’s uncomfortable.
And it forces us to look in the mirror.

We’re talking about public sinning — especially on social media, and how our posts, videos, and “harmless” trends can actually count as public sins in Islam.

This is not a small matter.

Our beloved Prophet ﷺ warned us:

“All of my nation will be forgiven except those who sin in public.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6069, Sahih Muslim 2990

Sit with that for a moment.

Allah is the One who forgives endlessly.
The One who shows mercy even when we don’t deserve it.
The One who keeps our secrets hidden, even when we slip.

But the Prophet ﷺ told us:
Those who choose to sin openly — who expose their own sins — are the exception.

Why?

Because public sin does something dangerous:
It spreads.
It influences.
It normalizes what Allah has forbidden.
It turns the Haram into entertainment… into content… into a trend.

And today, with social media, this is happening more than ever — often without us even realizing.

---

Do We Even Realize What We’re Posting?

Social media is full of temptation.
Haram is one swipe away.
And many of us contribute to it without noticing the weight of what we’re doing.

How often do we:

• Repost videos with haram content — music, immodest behavior, inappropriate scenes?
• Make videos of ourselves dressed improperly, dancing, or with music in the background?
• Share it publicly for likes, attention, validation, or “just for fun”?

We don’t think twice.
But what we often forget is this:

These actions, though normalized, are still public sins.

---

The Weight of Public Sin

Public sinning — especially online — weakens the heart in a way private sin does not.

The Prophet ﷺ repeated this warning for a reason:

“All of my nation will be forgiven except those who sin in public.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6069

Public sin changes you.
It numbs your conscience.
It makes haram feel normal — even celebrated.
And over time, the guilt fades, the shame disappears, and the habit becomes part of your identity.

Allah reminds us:

“Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
Qur’an 99:7–8

On that Day…
even a single Instagram story…
one TikTok…
one repost…
one comment…

…will appear before you.

Nothing disappears.
Nothing is too small.
Everything is recorded.

The Ripple Effect: The Sin That Spreads

Public sin is dangerous not only because you commit it — but because others see it.

And when others copy you?

Your sin multiplies.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever initiates a good practice will have its reward and the reward of those who act upon it…
And whoever initiates an evil practice will bear its burden and the burden of those who act upon it…”
Sahih Muslim 1017

Think about that.
A single haram post could inspire hundreds — even thousands — to imitate you.

And on the Day of Judgment…
those sins return back to you.

---

How Social Media Warps Our Morals

Social media is built on two things:
desires and validation.

Everything is about:

• looking good
• getting attention
• going viral
• being noticed

But Allah asks us:

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desires as his god?”
Qur’an 25:43

When we chase likes and views, we stop chasing Allah.
When we crave attention, we forget the One who sees us always.
When we live for the dunya’s applause, we risk losing the akhirah’s reward.

---

Protecting Ourselves From Public Sin

Islam gives us tools to guard ourselves — even online.

1. Pray and Reflect Often

Prayer purifies the heart and strengthens self-control.

“Indeed, the prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.”
Qur’an 29:45

2. Seek Knowledge

Learn what Islam teaches about modesty and accountability.

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 224

3. Surround Yourself With the Right People

A clean environment protects your heart.
A careless environment destroys it.

4. Use Social Media for Good

Share reminders.
Spread benefit.
Plant seeds of goodness.

“Convey from me even if it is one verse.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 3461

A Call to Action

Ask yourself honestly:

If your social media account were placed in your hands on the Day of Judgment…
would it bring you closer to Allah or drag you away from Him?

Allah warns us:

“On that Day, the tongue, hands, and feet will bear witness against them for what they used to do.”
Qur’an 24:24

Your posts will speak.
Your comments will testify.
Your videos will stand as evidence.

Let this be your wake-up call.
Clean your digital footprint.
Delete what harms you.
Make tawbah sincerely.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2499

Social media is a test — one that can either elevate you or destroy you.

May Allah protect us from public sin, guide us to sincerity, and allow our online presence to be a source of reward, not regret.

“And whoever fears Allah — He will make for him a way out…”
Qur’an 65:2–3

🌙 Next Week: Chapter 8 — Modesty: A Reflection of Faith and Dignity. A deeper look at modesty, faith, and the internal discipline that shields the believer.

New blog drops next Friday at 7 PM (ET).