Unmodern Aspects of Islam (7): The Cult of the Selfie

 

Why do we feel the need to capture every moment, every meal, every smile—just to prove we exist?
We stand before cameras, chasing likes and admiration, until life itself becomes a performance.

But this obsession has a cost.
The more we project a perfect image, the emptier we feel inside.
Ego grows. Sincerity fades. And self-worth becomes dependent on strangers’ approval.

Islam calls us to a different standard.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, 91)
True worth isn’t in how many admire us, but in how humble we remain before Allah.

The Messenger ﷺ lived with unmatched dignity—yet he never sought to display himself.
He sat where others sat, dressed simply, and disliked boasting. His presence inspired hearts, not because of self-promotion, but because of sincerity.

The early Muslims carried this humility too.
They gave charity in secret. They hid their good deeds, fearing pride more than poverty. Their lives were full of meaning, not self-display.

So what about us?
Next time you lift your phone to capture yourself, ask: why?
Is it for remembrance—or for recognition?
Is it for gratitude—or for applause?

A moment lived with sincerity is far greater than a thousand selfies.

In a modern world, the Sunnah is our way back to what truly matters.