How social media fuels misery
“The more you focus on these things, the more miserable you become.”
Excessive, comparison-driven social-media use can fuel misery by making curated materialism seem real, so Muslims should limit scrolling and redirect attention toward learning, faith, and the Hereafter.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces social media's benefits, then asks why it leaves many young people miserable.
- Presents Melissa Hunt's three-week study linking a 30-minute daily limit with reduced loneliness and depression.
- Uses Tim Kesser's research to connect materialism, status, image, and chasing the dunya with lower well-being.
- Explains a Quranic warning against prolonging one's gaze at worldly splendor, comparing curated online success to a short-lived flower.
- Contrasts temporary material possessions with lasting rizq: faith, good deeds, knowledge, and the Hereafter.
- Gives three remedies: limit use, make it educational, and place social apps beside the Quran app to create a mindful choice.
In the khateeb's words
“the more you focus on these things, the more miserable you become.”
“It's all curated success, just like that flower looks so beautiful from the surface level, from the top.”
“that mansion may not lead you to paradise. That car may not lead you to paradise. That beautiful curated social media account may not lead you to paradise.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that social media can be a place to learn, but spending too much time looking at other people's possessions and success can leave us feeling miserable. He explained that posts often show only the beautiful surface of someone's life, like a flower, while hiding their struggles. A flower also fades, reminding us that wealth, status, and online images do not last forever. He encouraged us to treasure Allah's gifts of faith, good deeds, and knowledge, which help lead us toward Paradise. His practical advice was to limit scrolling, use social media to learn, and create reminders that turn our attention toward the Quran and what benefits us.
- What might someone's happy post leave out about their day?
- What is something useful you would like to learn instead of spending that time scrolling?
- Where could we put a reminder to pause and make a thoughtful choice before opening an app?
More on Health & wellbeing
If a brother comes to us and admits that they have a gambling problem, do not look down upon them or cast them out.31:21Brand Lane Islamic Center · Stafford, TX · Jul 18, 2026Gambling apps can destroy Muslim families
Seeking a therapist, a psychiatrist, a counselor, or a crisis service doesn't contradict tawakkul.4:19Masjid Subhan · Scarborough, ON · Oct 3, 2026Protect life with hope and support
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI · Sep 11, 2026Protect the mind from addiction“It's a gift from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and we are also told not only to use that gift but also to protect that gift.”