✓ WRITING “SAW” AFTER THE MENTION OF THE PROPHET (ﷺ)
Whenever you are copying from the Muhsin Khan translation of the Qur’ān, beware of the SAW after the name of the prophet (ﷺ), remember to erase it and write the full one. It is not permissible to abbreviate the Salawaat, either by writing just ص,صلعم, SAW or PBUH.
The Permanent Committee of Scholars in Saudi Arabia headed by ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Baaz issued the following verdict when asked about the validity of abbreviating the salaah on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam): “The Sunnah is to write the entire phrase “sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam,” since it is a kind of supplication, and supplication is worship, (in one’s writing) just as it is in one’s speech. So to abbreviate it using the letter SAAD or the word SAAD-LAAM-‘AYN-MEEM is not a supplication nor is it worship, whether it occurs in speech or writing. For this reason, this abbreviation was not used by the the first three generations, those that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) testified to their goodness.”¹
✓ POSTING FROM AN INNOVATOR. WHETHER HIS VIDEO OR HIS QUOTES.
Muhammad bn Sireen said: “Indeed, this knowledge is religion, so carefully consider from whom you take your religion”²
It is upon every Muslim to take the truth from wherever he sees it, but it is wrong to seek the knowledge from anyone or promote anyone except the person is known to be upon goodness. Posting the clips, books or quotes of an innovator means you are making people take from him and you are promoting him. A person who sees him on your status may be deceived that he is upon goodness and he takes from him (or her) afterwards, and those contents he sees afterwards may be of misguidance.
It is wrong to post random speakers who we do not know if they are upon Salafiyyah or not, even if he is talking about the sunnah. A person talking about some aspects of the sunnah doesn’t mean he is upon the entire sunnah, the terrorists of the Boko-Haram and the ISIS also affirm some parts of sunnah, and because we see them talking about those parts doesn’t mean they are upon the sunnah.
Do not share the flyer of any lecture except you are sure of the Manhaj of the speaker and the organizers of the lecture.
✓ ETIQUETTES OF POSTING PICTURES AND VIDEOS
Pictures and videos showing women is not proper, and it is worse if that woman is not dressing in the proper Hijab. It means you are not helping your viewers to lower their gazes.
It is not permissible to post videos showing men who do not cover their nudity i.e from the navel to their knee neither is it permissible to post pictures of living creatures and videos with musical instruments. Refrain from posting cartoons of living creatures. They fall under immitation of Allah’s creature.
If you do not post pictures, videos with females and musical instruments. Endeavour to mute people who post them. If you have advised a person on the prohibition of these things and they still post them, kindly mute them to avoid them making you fall into sin.
If you want to post any business flyer, make sure the business is Halaal and there’s no picture on the flyer. And if the business ad is a video, watch it first to be sure it is free from musical instruments and showing Women.
Beware of posting comedies and memes that are not decent, movies and conventional football matches.
✓ REFERENCING QUOTES BACK TO IT’S WRITER
From the common mistakes is to post English translation of a quote without putting the name of the translator.
We should also make sure that the translator is someone known upon the correct Manhaj.
It is not permissible to post quotes from sources that are not upon the Manhaj like Smile Dawah, Dawah Nigeria and the likes.
It is good that when you want to post another person’s status you had screenshot, kindly post it with their name. And make sure the person upon Manhaj too.
✓ POSTING ABOUT PRIVATE AFFAIRS
It is not befitting enough that your WhatsApp status is the place where you and your spouse always display love and praises. Drop public display of affection.
It is also not befitting that your WhatsApp status becomes a kind of diary, where you update every single step you take in your life.
You should not turn your WhatsApp status to the medium of begging. Not data, Airtime or even food and clothes and it will be better if you do away from complaining about your affliction on your WhatsApp status.
Do away with posting romantic poems. Whether they are for your real spouse or imaginary spouse.
Beware of always talking and posting pictures about all the goodness of your life. Your new spouse, your delicious food, your new born baby, your new contract and all. Remember that not everyone that envies them will say Baarakallahu Feeh.
Also, avoid fake life.
✓ BEWARE OF WHATSAPP GROUPS THAT ARE NOT UPON MANHAJ
The groups that I know to be upon the Manhaj are Pristine Methodology, Ar Risaalah Publications (Readers’ Hub), Muslim Spot, Home of verses, Sisters upon Sunnah, Salafi benefit, Salafi posts and the likes.
Before you share the flyer for any group, be sure of their Manhaj.
Aboo Muhsinah As-Salafi.
1. Fatwaawee Al-Lajnatid-Daa’imah #18770 (12/208-209)
2. Muslim no. 26
Jazakumullah khairan. May Almighty Allah preserve you upon goodness and grant you steadfastness upon the deen
Aameen wa antum.
Aameen and you too