Ok so yesterday at my daughter's Islamic school I was talking to another parent about how I found some really old friends of mine via Facebook. So she goes on to tell me that the concept of Facebook is haraam as we allow na-mehrams to see our pictures and then she asked me to get off of it as I was committing a gunaah e kabira.
Well I can't say that I don't have any men on my account because I do, but somehow I thought that view was a bit ummmm, what should I say, a bit much, although if you sit down to argue, we could probably conclude that it is not particularly Islamic...
So I was stumped a bit, didn't say much except smile and change the topic.
But I did think I should start a thread here and get your point of views. So let's start...
If she says that facebook is haraam simply because people post their pictures on the website.......then also consider the fact that there are MANY people on facebook that don't put their pictures. Also, you can only control your actions, not the actions of other people. So, if you as an individual decide not to put your picture up...........you can't prevent others (your friends) from putting their pictures up.
Maybe the concept of putting pictures up is not so Islamic. But then would your friend also arguethat putting pictures in your own home.......that a non-mahram guest might see and admire is also haraam? What about a closet pedophile secretly admiring the photograph of his best friend's 4 year old daughter? Yes, it's an extreme scenario.....and a disturbing one at that.
I've seen hijabi girls post their pictures on facebook. And you also have various privacy option settings that come with your facebook account. Did your friend think of that?
I know that the Prophet SAWS said not to make religion too difficult for yourself or it becomes difficult to follow. He also advised against extremism and encouraged staying in the middle ground.
“The religion is easy and whosoever will deal with religion harshly, it will defeat him. So be straight, follow the middle course, give good news and make use of the morning, the evening or part of the night (in prayer and remebering Allah).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
that’s all I have to say for right now.
