Messaging applications are among the most popular and widely used tools, bringing distant people closer and making communication feel as if the person is right beside you. Here is a collection of advice and recommendations that can help a Muslim use them ideally—and even earn reward through them:
Maintaining family ties: How beautiful it is to maintain kinship bonds—made easier than ever today, with great reward! These apps are accessible to all: grandparents and grandchildren, cousins, siblings, and more. Even a greeting, or sending a meaningful picture from time to time, helps keep kinship ties alive. Intend this as an act of worship, seeking Allah’s reward in both worlds. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship” (Bukhari, Muslim). He also said: “Spread peace, feed others, pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace” (Tirmidhi).
Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim) He (ﷺ) also said: “Spread peace, feed others, pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Begin with salām: A simple greeting earns great reward effortlessly. ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn reported: A man came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum,” and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Ten [rewards].” Another came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh,” and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Twenty.” Another came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,” and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Thirty.” He (ﷺ) also said: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salām among yourselves.”
Hadith The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A man came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Ten [rewards].” Another came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāh.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Twenty.” Another came and said, “As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Thirty.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi) He (ﷺ) also said: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salām among yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim)
Choose appropriate times for conversation. Do not embarrass the other person if they are busy, and do not waste their time.
Avoid harmful jokes and frightening others, for they cause harm and have bad consequences. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim” (Abu Dawud).
Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
Beware of gossip and backbiting. Allah Almighty says: “And do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful” (Al-Ḥujurāt 49:12).
Qur'an “And do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (Al-Ḥujurāt 49:12)
Avoid lying, even in jest. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned clearly: “Woe to the one who speaks to make people laugh and lies. Woe to him, woe to him” (Tirmidhi).
Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Woe to the one who speaks to make people laugh and lies. Woe to him, woe to him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Avoid spreading rumors and forwarding unnecessary messages. Always verify information before sharing it. Even if true, if there is no benefit or purpose in forwarding it, it is better not to, so as not to waste others’ time with idle talk. Allah praised His believing servants by describing them as: “And they who turn away from ill speech” (Al-Muʾminūn 23:3).
Qur'an “And they who turn away from ill speech.” (Al-Muʾminūn 23:3)
Be concise in speech and avoid excessive talking. Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not speak much without remembering Allah, for excessive talk without remembrance of Allah hardens the heart...” (Tirmidhi). ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) also said: “Whoever speaks too much will often err; whoever errs often will lose his modesty; whoever loses modesty will lose his piety; and whoever loses his piety, his heart will die.”
Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not speak much without remembering Allah, for excessive talk without remembrance of Allah hardens the heart...” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi) ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Whoever speaks too much will often err; whoever errs often will lose his modesty; whoever loses modesty will lose his piety; and whoever loses his piety, his heart will die.”
In conclusion, let us reflect on Allah’s words: “Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]” (Qāf 50:18). Every word you say or write is recorded either for you or against you. We ask Allah to forgive our mistakes, guide us to truth and goodness in speech, and keep us steadfast upon it.
Qur'an “Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].” (Qāf 50:18)