What does the #10YearChallenge say about us as Muslims

21 January 2019| 15 Jumadul Ulaa 1440| Ayesha Ismail

If you’re active on social media you might have noticed the #10YearChallenge that’s got everyone in a frenzy.

If you’re not, the #10YearChallenge has gone viral on social media and is about posting photos of yourself from the year 2009 next to what you look like currently.

As a Muslim, this sounds a lot of warning bells.

The first point is that it involves photography.

Nabi saw has cursed the person who draws Images of animate objects and the person who takes pictures.

‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Those who will be most severely punished by Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/382).

This challenge involves photography where a person compares what he looked like 10 years ago to what he looks like now knowing full well that the seeing, distribution and taking of photos is all haram.

In the book Al-I’laam bi naqd kitaab al-halaal wa’l-haraam, the author says: “Photography is even more of an imitation of the creation of Allah than pictures which are engraved or drawn, so it is even more deserving of being prohibited. There is nothing that could exclude photography from the general meaning of the reports.” (p. 42, see also Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/355).

Apart from the photos being haram, we have to take into consideration the chance of nazr and evil gazes falling on the person which could, in turn, harm the person.

Islam is a private religion that teaches us to go about our daily lives in a private manner, however, this 10 year challenge is a blatant advertisement of one’s sins. Taking of pictures is one sin already and the posting of it means that someone is bold enough to flaunt their sins for everyone to see.

What difference does it make?

Allah Ta’ala does not look at outward appearance, Allah looks at a person’s heart and their actions. This is what Allah will judge us by.

So if you are caught up in the #10yearchallenge; taking photographs and comparing them to images you captured 10 years ago, stop and ask yourself: How does this affect my imaan? Has the state of my Imaan (piety) decreased or increased in the last 10 years? Have I lived the last 10 years pleasing Allah? How much have I progressed in deen in the last 10 years? What benefit is this comparison to my life as a Muslim? How will the advertisement of my outward appearance help me in the grave? Will this comparison benefit me in the aakhirah? What difference will the likes on my post make to my life? What happens if death has to come to me now? What have I done in the last 10 years to draw myself closer to Allah? Have I done anything to strengthen my imaan?

Come on my brothers and sisters, We cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in the fitnah that surrounds us. This challenge is a whispering from Shaytaan and Muslims should not indulge in this kind of wrong. These types of social media challenges are a test to our Imaan, don’t waste valuable time posting things like this. Our time in this world is limited. We will be answerable for every wrong action that whether it’s done physically or on social media. Your #10yearChallenge post getting 100 likes and comments will not help you in any way.

The ultimate goal of a Mu’min is to spend each day better than the one that passed by. Each dawn is a gift from Allah and we need to use it to increase the quality of our Imaan and fulfilling all our duties as Muslims.

What difference does it make how you looked 10 years ago to how you look now. Instead be thankful that Allah has given you 10 years of life, 10 years to become closer to him with 24 hours each day presenting us the opportunity to work towards Jannah.

We don’t know how much longer we will live so seek the company of righteous people whose focus is the akhirah. Engage with friends or family members who want to achieve the pleasure of Allah and not this Dunya. They will always encourage us to strive harder in the way of Allah. It’s up to us how we want to utilize the time, remember our time in this Dunya is to better ourselves in Deen to in turn ensure our eternal abode in Jannah.

For those that have done the #10yearchallenge, it’s not too late. Allah loves it when we repent, so go on delete your #10yearchallenge pic and turn to Allah. That way you won’t be looking back at 10 years ago… you will instead be working towards your eternity in paradise.

At the end of the day, our purpose in this Dunya is to worship Allah and to fulfil this purpose, we need to be more productive each day in our Imaan, our amaal (actions) and all aspects of our lives.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the hidayat, Ameen

WRITTEN BY: AYESHA ISMAIL

Ayesha Ismail is a social media content producer and news caster at Cii Radio. With a bubbly and eccentric nature Ayesha rarely misses an opportunity to bring a smile to whoever she meets. Ayesha loves family road trips, did someone say “game reserve”?? Ayesha is there!
On her personal motto, she believes that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. So, hussle on and never miss an opportunity to start your day with fajr.