By H. Khoirul Anwar (Indonesia)

There is one thing that is becoming harder to do in this digital age: to be silent.

To sit quietly without touching a phone. To be alone without scrolling on a gadget. To think without being interrupted by notifications.

It looks simple. But it is not easy.
The digital age keeps us busy. Not because we have too much work, but because we are addicted to watching other people being busy.

Someone uploads a photo of food, and we suddenly feel hungry. Someone shows their vacation, and we feel we have not traveled enough. Someone shares their problems, and we carry their emotions too.

Then time passes quickly. Suddenly it is midnight, and all that is left is tiredness. Our minds are full, but we do not know what we gained. We even forget who we really are.

Fasting from Social Media

Ramadan comes with a clear message: self-control. Controlling our desires.

But there is one desire we rarely notice. It is the desire to see, read, and respond to everything on our screens. We open social media without thinking. We scroll without purpose. We absorb too much information that we may not even need.

Cal Newport, in his book Digital Minimalism, writes that technology should be a tool, not a master.

Modern people should control social media, not the other way around. But many people lose control. Instead of using social media for something useful, they feel a strong urge to always be online, always know what is happening, and always join digital conversations.

At the same time, Friday preachers often remind us of Surah Al-‘Asr in the Qur’an. It says that humans are in loss, except those who fill their time with faith, good deeds, and who encourage each other in truth and patience.

Time is more valuable than anything. Sadly, we often spend it on things that do not truly matter.
Many studies show a connection between social media and mental health. People who spend too much time on social media are more likely to feel anxious, feel not good enough, and even feel depressed.

Many think social media is entertainment. But the longer we stay there, the more restless we feel. Maybe because we compare ourselves too often with others. Maybe because there is too much information. Or maybe because we rarely give ourselves space to be quiet and feel grateful.

Ramadan is the best time to test our self-control. Not only about food and drink, but also about things that disturb our inner peace.
If we can fast for more than 12 hours from food and drink, why not try to fast from social media?

We do not need to be extreme. Just try one month without scrolling without reason. One month without absorbing drama that is not ours. One month without feeling the need to always know everything.

At first, it may feel strange. We may want to open our favorite apps. We may feel curious about what is happening outside. But slowly, we will realize something.
The day will feel longer. The mind will feel lighter. The time we usually spend watching other people’s lives can now be used for something more real.

In a sahih hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“A strong person is not the one who wins a fight. A strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

Social media often triggers emotions. It can make us angry, jealous, and tired because of unnecessary information. The more we protect ourselves from things that disturb our peace, the more we can focus on what truly matters.

Fasting from social media does not mean removing technology from our lives. It means taking control. It means using social media with awareness. We decide when we really need it and when we are just following a habit.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe, if a sinful person comes to you with news, verify it, so that you do not harm people out of ignorance and later regret what you have done.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:6)

Today, information spreads very fast. One post can spread in seconds. But is all of it true? Is all of it important?

How often do we get trapped in endless news and useless debates, and in the end, we only feel tired and empty?

If we can pass Ramadan by controlling bigger challenges, why not reduce something simpler? We do not need to stop completely. Just use social media more wisely. Choose certain times to open it, then leave it. Do not let the phone control us more than it should.

Ramadan as a Digital Detox

In the digital age, protecting ourselves is not only about covering our bodies. It is also about protecting our eyes from too much screen time. Protecting our hearts from unnecessary feelings.

Protecting our ears from endless digital gossip. In the past, temptation whispered in our ears. Today, it appears as posts, comments, and trends that pull us to stay involved.

The Prophet once reminded us that there are two blessings that people often forget: health and free time. Many people do not realize how valuable time is until it is gone. Sadly, today much of our lost time does not disappear on the road or in long lines, but on the small screen in our hands.

This does not mean social media is bad. No. It has many benefits if used properly. But like food, social media should not be consumed without limits. If it is too much, it can damage our balance.

Ramadan is a chance to reset our habits. Thirty days is not a long time, but it is enough to remind us that life can be calmer without always being connected. Life can be more meaningful without always comparing ourselves to others. There are many things more worthy of our attention than just a screen.

Maybe it is time to try. To find again the peace that we have lost. To free ourselves from distractions that have held us back. Not forever, but long enough to remember that life is bigger than what we see on social media.

The author is the Chair of the Information, Communication, and Digitalization Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of East Java. Member of the Executive Board of LTN PBNU. Deputy chair of PCNU Malang City.