The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his surroundings, healthy in his body, and with his daily sustenance, it is as if the whole world has been granted to him” (Tirmidhi). Islam undoubtedly encourages the preservation of both body and mind and warns against all that causes harm. Allah says: “And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good” (Al-Baqarah 2:195).
Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and has his food for the day, it is as if the world has been gathered for him.” (Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, 2346, ḥasan gharīb)
We use multiple devices daily to access the internet, moving from one screen to another repeatedly. Each device poses potential health risks, with its own methods of prevention. The following are some recommended health tips when using such devices, particularly to protect the eyes and body:
Avoid using devices for long, uninterrupted periods. A helpful rule for this is the 20-20-20 principle: every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds at a point 20 feet (about 6 meters) away.
Pay attention to lighting. The brightness of your device screens should be balanced with the surrounding environment.
Keep screens at a proper distance from your face.
Adjust the font size. Most browsers and devices provide options to change text size and weight to suit your vision.
If you have eye problems and wear glasses, it is advisable to use anti-reflective coating for extra protection. If you wear contact lenses, it is better to switch to glasses periodically. Artificial tears may also be used to prevent dryness, as advised by a doctor.
Maintain proper posture and correct usage of devices to avoid neck pain, wrist strain, and finger discomfort. Because of the wide variety of devices, we will not detail all ergonomic methods here, but such information is readily available online.
Avoid using devices late into the night, as this reduces the time available for sufficient sleep.
Give your fingers and hands a break from typing. Most messaging applications now provide voice recording features, which you can use instead of constant typing to reduce strain.
Everyone knows the limits of their own body and when fatigue sets in. At that point, step away from your devices, close your eyes, and allow your body to rest.