{jb_quote}It is a moral obligation on all Muslims to delete Facebook accounts and any other media that deems it acceptable to disrespect our beloved Rasoolullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and never to reactivate them again.{/jb_quote}
Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA)
Friday talk on 21st of May 2010 at Baitul-Mukarram Masjid (Karachi, Pakistan)
Commentary of Surah Al-Humaza (The Traducer: Chapter 104)/Part II:
Disclaimer: Shaykh (HA) goes through a whole range of emotions during this talk and it will be difficult to convey his true feelings during the translation. All those who are familiar with Urdu are requested to listen to the original talk, here:
http://www.mehboob-e-elahi.com/Download.php?BayanID=1411
وَيۡلٌ۬ لِّڪُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ۬ لُّمَزَةٍ (١) ٱلَّذِى جَمَعَ مَالاً۬ وَعَدَّدَهُ ۥ (٢) يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ ۥۤ أَخۡلَدَهُ ۥ (٣) كَلَّاۖ لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ فِى ٱلۡحُطَمَةِ (٤) وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا ٱلۡحُطَمَةُ (٥) نَارُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُوقَدَةُ (٦) ٱلَّتِى تَطَّلِعُ عَلَى ٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةِ (٧) إِنَّہَا عَلَيۡہِم مُّؤۡصَدَةٌ۬ (٨) فِى عَمَدٍ۬ مُّمَدَّدَةِۭ (٩)
This is Surah Al-Humaza , which I recited in front of you and the details of its commentary were started last Friday. For refreshing our memories let me present the translation of the Surah once more, and it is:
{jb_bluebox}[104:1] Woe to every backbiter, derider{/jb_bluebox}
Humaza here refers to the person who is accustomed to backbiting meaning that he describes the bad qualities of people behind their back, describes their faults behind their backs for the sake of self enjoyment and to become a star in gatherings, considers himself superior (due to pride).
And Lumaza here refers to the person who derides, mocks and jeers others to their face; one is to inform someone of their shortcoming so that they may rectify and correct themselves and this is being benevolent and sympathetic towards someone but to deride and mock someone (to their face) and to hurt their feelings is a major sin and Lumaza is such a person.
So Allah (SWT) is saying that indeed there is destruction to everyone who is a backbiter and the one who is derider (to their face).
{jb_bluebox}[104:2] who accumulates wealth and counts it.{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:3] He thinks that his wealth has made him eternal.{/jb_bluebox}
This man thinks that his wealth will deliver him from death and he will become immortal on account of his wealth.
{jb_bluebox}[104:4] Never! He will certainly be thrown into the Crushing Fire.{/jb_bluebox}
Allah (SWT) proclaims that man is in sheer deception. The person who is a backbiter and the one who is derider (to their face) and the one who continues to hoard wealth disregarding the responsibilities placed upon him due to his wealth, such a person will definitely and surely be placed into the fire which will smash his bones!
It will smash and destroy the bones!
{jb_bluebox}[104:5] And what may let you know what the Crushing Fire is?{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is being addressed here, "What do you know about this fire which will smash and destroy the bones?"{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:6] It is Allah's kindled fire{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:7] that will peep into the hearts.{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:8] It will be closed on them,{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:9] in outstretched columns.{/jb_bluebox}
This is the translation of this Surah and as I explained last week that this Surah was revealed when during the Makkan period of Dawah the opposition to Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) reached a stage where people crossed all bounds of decency and they use to backbite Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and also deride and mock him to his face.
Wal 'Iyadhu Billah!
What was their mocking and derision to the face of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)? They had derogatory nicknames for Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)!
Wal 'Iyadhu Billah!
The name of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was Muhammad meaning the one who is praised, and it was given to him by his Parents. A person who is praised by everyone. In fact this name was assigned to him by Allah (SWT).
This is such a name which contains the praise (of his stature) within it.
The disbelievers of Makkah in their spite, enmity, jealousy and hatred used to say Mudammam which means the exact opposite of Muhammad meaning derogatory rather than praiseworthy.
The disbelievers of Makkah held the upper hand while those who believed in Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) were few in number so the disbelievers used to associate Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) with the word Mudammam in their gatherings.
Wal 'Iyadhu Billah!
And they used to curse Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)! Once Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) explained to his companions as to how he has been protected by Allah (SWT) from their curses for they used to pronounce curses upon Mudammam while he was Muhammad and that he has not been give the name Mudammam!
In short they (the disbelievers) had tried to pursue all means of mocking Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and this method was one of them i.e. backbiting (behind his back) and mocking to his face. Therefore, this Surah was revealed. And this methodology has continued to this day.
Such despicable, pathetic, low-life individuals existed during the lifetime of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) who when couldn't refute prophethood through rational and logical arguments and how could they when the honesty and trustworthiness of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was well established beyond doubt and it could not be refuted and indeed they had no way to refute it. Moreover the message of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was of Tawheed and he (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) challenged the idol worshippers to prove the divinity of their idols which they had created from their own hands, how can they worship something and consider it divine which they had created them from their own hands? So not only they couldn't refute the personality Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) they had no answer to the fact that they were worshipping idols which they had created from their own hands. They had instigated false Aqaid (beliefs) in idols and assigned them specific duties i.e. that such and such idol provided them sustenance and such and such idol provided them with benefit etc, so they had gathered together all of these false notions while Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) questioned their set of Aqaid (beliefs) and asked for an explanation as to how can an idol be responsible for providing sustenance when they had created it (from their own hands) and placed it for worship.
How can this idol provide them with sustenance?
How can this idol provide them with progeny?
The one who created the Heavens and the Earth and raised the clouds He (SWT) is Al-Khaliq and He (SWT) alone is worthy of worship.
They had no answer for this.
They had no refutation for the evidence provided by Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). And when a stubborn fool cannot refute an argument then he resorts to ad hominem attacks, resorts to bad language and cursing, resorts to mockery and derision.
And that's what the disbelievers of Makkah resorted to i.e. ad hominem attacks. When Allah (SWT) gave Islam the upper hand in the lifetime of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and afterwards then the people who were subjugated to Islam (by argument and by force) then they also resorted to such lowly and despicable tactics i.e. ad hominem attacks behind the backs and sometimes in front.
In our times, the flag bearers of culture and decency, those who blow the trumpets of their superior culture and traditions, and those who proudly proclaim that they are the guardians of human rights there is no difference (not even an iota) between them and the despicable, pathetic, low-life disbelievers of Makkah. They have no evidence today (against Islam), they have been defeated in argument for the truthfulness of Islam is being accepted worldwide so they have no choice but to issue profanities regarding the personality of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and their attempts are nothing but trying to spit at the beautiful full moon.
They have adopted this tactic, today!
Their tactic is evidence of this lowness, their defeat and their subjugation. Since they have nothing to present in terms of a good argument, they resort to these despicable and pathetic tactics e.g. sometimes they blaspheme Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and something they try to produce caricatures of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and now they have on a worldwide scale given invitation to all enemies of Islam to create caricatures of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). All of this is evidence and manifestation of their defeat in the field of arguments.
The one, who can soundly and squarely refute, doesn't use ad hominem attacks.
The one, who can soundly and squarely refute, doesn't resort to mocking and derision.
He speaks with sound argument and presents his case in a logical manner.
But the one who can't, resorts to lowly despicable tactics of blasphemy and creating caricatures.
This is an admission from them that they have no refutation of the evidence of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and they have no choice but to try to satisfy their rage with lowly despicable tactics.
On one hand it is a tactic to try to satisfy their rage and on the other hand it is a challenge to the honour and dignity of the Muslims.
Those who proclaim faith in Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)!
Those who proclaim love for Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)!
Let's see what they do in response to these lowly despicable tactics. It is a challenge.
And I believe that the Muslim Ummah should accept the challenge with full dignity and honour of their Eemaan (faith).
Let the Muslim Ummah display that it is ready to sacrifice even its life upon the honour and dignity of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
حدثنا محمد بن المثنى وابن بشار قالا حدثنا محمد بن جعفر حدثنا شعبة قال سمعت قتادة يحدث عن أنس بن مالك قال
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى أكون أحب إليه من ولده ووالده والناس أجمعين
{jb_bluebox}It is reported on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "None of you is a believer till I am dearer to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind." [Muslim]{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}Umar (RA), said to the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam), "You are more beloved to me than everything except myself." Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) placed his hand on the chest of Umar (RA) and said, "You will not have complete faith till I am dearer to you than your own self."{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}When the answer was given and the hand was placed upon the chest of Umar (RA) immediately a change occurred within Umar (RA) and he said, ""However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self."{/jb_bluebox}
The Sahaba (companions) proved their love and devotion to Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) in a manner which is unsurpassed and cannot be matched by any other nation or group. No one can give such examples of love and devotion to their leader, to their chief or to even to their prophet.
Sayyidina Abu Mahzura (RA) is a companion upon whose head the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) placed his blessed hand. He did not cut the hair from the area which had touched the blessed hands of Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) for those were the hair which were touched by Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and he refused to part with them.
My brothers, today you have been confronted with a small challenge.
You celebrate Al-Mawlid in the month of Rabiul-Awwal.
You proclaim the love for (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
Your challenge is to see your response towards those are extending their hands upon the honour of Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
Would you continue to have friendly relations with them?
Would you continue to provide financial benefits to them?
Today, I have been informed that Facebook which has instigated this filthy competition has been banned (in Pakistan). At least we praise Allah (SWT) that they have a little bit of conscious but I don't know how long this blockage will last?
But for anyone who has any love for Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) even after Facebook has been unbanned then his dignity should not permit him to use this filthy site. The filthy site which has blasphemed Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
I don't know but I have been informed that young boys and girls have been befriending each other through this site and the moral teachings of religion are being stampeded and trampled upon. So this site should be blocked and banned!
But if you were to leave (FaceBook) then do so now due to the Love and Honour of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Know that these people are worshippers of money, their survival is in wealth, look at what the Qur'aan has said about their accumulation of wealth:
{jb_bluebox}[104:1] Woe to every backbiter, derider{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:2] who accumulates wealth and counts it.{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:3] He thinks that his wealth has made him eternal.{/jb_bluebox}
So they are the same, their god is money! And when they experience a loss in their wealth then their minds comprehend the reality.
I have been informed that for every visitor FaceBook earns $2.50. Brothers! Would you reward the filthy site which is guilty of blasphemy with $2.50 with each of your visit? Would you benefit them?
There are more than a billion Muslims on the globe and if they make a determined effort to boycott such sites then within a few days they will learn their lesson. They will see the results of committing blasphemy to the personage of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
Know that Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is no need of our praise and our eulogy. Allah (SWT) has clearly stated in the Qur'aan:
وَرَفَعۡنَا لَكَ ذِكۡرَكَ
{jb_bluebox}[94:4] and We raised high for you your name.{/jb_bluebox}
The name of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) has been raised to an extent that not a moment goes by without someone raising the proclamation somewhere on the globe:
. . . اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدً . . .
{jb_bluebox}I testify that Muhammed (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)...{/jb_bluebox}
Not a moment goes by in 24 hours, every moment, every second someone proclaims and testifies to the Prophethood of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). And the proclamation is done openly and candidly. Their blasphemy amounts to nothing when creations in the universe testify to the Prophethood of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and sings his praises.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا
{jb_bluebox}[33:56] Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salam (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance.{/jb_bluebox}
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is in no need of mine or your praise.
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is no need of mine or your eulogy.
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is no need of any praise from these despicable, pathetic, low-life individuals.
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is above and beyond any need for our praise. He (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was declared Muhammad (the praiseworthy) from his birth.
His (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) praise is on Earth.
His (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) praise is in the heavens.
His (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) praise is in the creation.
He (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is in no need of our praises but it is an honour for a believer to take steps in protecting the honour, dignity and stature of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam), steps which will harm these decayed individuals.
At least they should be made to feel it in their pockets. They should be shown that Muslims havn't lost their dignity and self-respect.
I would particularly like to appeal to my young ones about this "Internet phenomenon" which has caught them and sweeping them along and it has become their favourite past time. Can you not make a small sacrifice? Can you not abandon one of your pursuits for protecting the honour of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)?
Nobody is asking for your life! Nobody is asking for your wealth! You are being asked to sacrifice a favourite of yours for the sake of honour and dignity of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
And if you can do so then at least your name will be written amongst those who love Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
At least you will be say on the day of judgement that you at least boycotted those who blasphemed Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam).
If such a tactic is started then you will see the results of it, Insha'Allah and may Allah (SWT) give us the ability of it (Ameen).
So brothers, Allah (SWT) has announced destruction for such people in Surah Al-Humaza. They may be happy that their plans have come to fruition but their end result is:
{jb_bluebox}[104:4] Never! He will certainly be thrown into the Crushing Fire.{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:5] And what may let you know what the Crushing Fire is?{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:6] It is Allah's kindled fire{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:7] that will peep into the hearts.{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:8] It will be closed on them,{/jb_bluebox}
{jb_bluebox}[104:9] in outstretched columns.{/jb_bluebox}
This not my proclamation. It is a pronouncement from Allah (SWT). Those wretched ones who have planned for this will face repercussions. They can announce their success in this world but in the hereafter thy will face severe repercussions and it will happen!
But we also have responsibility in this world and may Allah (SWT) give us the ability to fulfil our responsibilities in this world (Ameen).
Shaykh (Mufti) Ibraheem Desai (HA) on FaceBook Menace
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalāmu alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh
The issue of Facebook and their latest antics against our Beloved Muhammad sallallāhu alayhi wasallam has angered and frustrated the Muslim Ummah. The reaction of the Muslim Ummah in the face of such blasphemy is appreciated. This malevolence is not foreign to Islam and the Muslims. During the time of our beloved Muhammad sallallāhu alayhi wasallam , individuals like Ka'ab Bin Ashraf , Abu Lahab, his wife and others were also guilty of defaming our Prophet sallallāhu alayhi wasallam. Their fate is known to all.
Our responsibility as Muslims and lovers of our beloved Muhammad sallallāhu alayhi wasallam is as follows:
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} To delete Facebook accounts and any other media that deems it acceptable to disrespect our beloved Rasoolullah sallallāhu alayhi wasallam and never to reactivate them again.
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} To inform others of the above as well.
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Deleting facebook is one form of expressing our love for Rasoolullah sallallāhu alayhi wasallam . However, objective love of Rasoolullah sallallāhu alayhi wasallam is to inculcate his teachings in our life.
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc} Make dua for guidance of the involved individuals.
لو كان حبك صادقا لأطعته
إن المحب لمن يحب مطيع
Had your love been true, then you would have surely obeyed him
For indeed, a lover is most obedient to his beloved
Let's prove our obedience!!!
Wassalāmu alaykum
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dārul Iftā, Madrasah Ināmiyyah
How to delete your facebook Account?
{jb_bluedisc}1{/jb_bluedisc} Click on the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=delete_account
{jb_bluedisc}2{/jb_bluedisc} Login with you UserID and password
{jb_bluedisc}3{/jb_bluedisc} Click "Submit"
{jb_bluedisc}4{/jb_bluedisc} You’ll be asked to confirm, Type in your Password, and then Solve the Captcha. Click Okay to continue.
{jb_bluedisc}5{/jb_bluedisc} Your Account will be deleted after 14 days. Acknowledge the message by clicking "OK".
Shaykh (Mufti) Ebrahim Desai (HA)
Question: I am a student of Deen and want to learn and spread Islam. I use the internet extensively for this purpose. Also, because I am studying computer sciences, I spend most of my time on computers checking my mail etc. I was a facebook user until a year ago. I deactivated my account because our ulama wanted us to, based on the blasphemous events that took place in it.
But now, a year or so after this incident, I see a lot of people who seem to be very pious and are daa'ees of Islam using it for the sake of da'wat. Many of my friends and relatives also use it to share things even after being told not to. So if I send them any e-mails, most of them go unread. I think and hope that if I use facebook to share Islamic things with them it would be beneficial for them. And, secondly, I would be able to see what my relatives and friends are up to so that I may think and care about them.
So I want to ask you if I can use facebook for the sake of spreading Islamic awareness and to know what my friends and relatives are up to as I see no other available way. I will be very grateful if you could guide me on this.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu 'alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
You mentioned that you want to spread Deen and raise awareness of Islam. We commend you for this intention and pray that Allah, the Almighty gives you the ability to do so. However, you also mentioned that you would like to try and do this on facebook, a website based on the intermingling of the sexes and communicating with non mahram [i] people, which, unfortunately, some Muslims nowadays don't consider to be a sin. They consider it to be the 'norm' and say that there's nothing wrong with it.
Allah, the Almighty says in the Quran:
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ .ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ. إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
{jb_bluebox}"Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what they do. (24:30)"{/jb_bluebox}
[1]This ayah is not restricted to the men because further on Allah gives women the same order.
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا. وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ
{jb_bluebox}And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head covers over their chests (24:31){/jb_bluebox}
If we look at the state of the Muslim youth nowadays, we will see that they have become so modernised that intermingling has become common until the extent that the Muslim girls do not even cover their heads let alone their faces and they freely misbehave, joke and interact with the opposite gender. Then friends take pictures of these people and upload them on facebook just so all their other friends and relatives can see the pictures which is obviously wrong.
Also you mentioned that your family and friends 'share' things on facebook. When you flick through their photo albums, you will inevitably see people who may or may not be their mahaarim, but they certainly won't be yours. And even if you don't go through their photo albums, when you look at their 'walls', the profile pictures of all the non mahram people that post on their wall will be visible to you. At first, you may have the power to control yourself and not interact and communicate with them, but over a period of time you will start to. (You cannot place butter in a hot pan and claim that it won't melt).
Some people may claim that merely looking at a photo of someone else is not harmful as long as one isn't interacting with that person. There is a saying that 'butter next to fire will melt. Every person knows that they have their base desires. The uncontrollable attraction to the opposite sex. And what guarantee does one have that he will stop at just viewing the photo? That he won't feel like interacting with the girl in the picture. That because the girl in the picture has put on make up to try and make herself look more beautiful, he won't start to lust after her and comment on the picture and eagerly await a reply. And then when he feels the moment is right, he'll send a friend request?! And the more friends you have, the more likely it is that you will end up looking at the pictures of non mahram people, even if you haven't befriended them yourself.
We are not negating the fact that there are benefits of using facebook; however the harms of using facebook outnumber the benefits. Allah says:
وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا
{jb_bluebox}"Their sin is greater than their benefit." (2:219){/jb_bluebox}
People need to realise that facebook and other social networking sites are just a mean of spreading Islam and raising awareness. They are not the only means for this. People use Deen as an excuse to sign up to these sites, then they eventually forget their 'original purpose' and become like all the other users.
You also mentioned that you want to use facebook to see what your friends and family are up to. This is also not a valid excuse at all because most people don't disclose important information that needs to be told to others on social networking sites. If it is urgent and you need to know about it, they will call you. Many of the people on facebook and other sites keep on changing their status to unimportant and petty things like 'I'm going for a haircut' or 'I'm going to sleep now'. If you really need to communicate with them, you may do so by calling once in a while...
Is reading these kinds of statuses the kind of thing you want to spend your time indulged in. Even when the Prophet s.a.w has said:
"من حسن إسلام المرء تركه ما لا يعنيه" (ابن ماجة والترمذي)
{jb_bluebox}"It is from the good of ones Deen that he leaves those things that do not concern him." (Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi){/jb_bluebox}
And:
لَيْسَ يَتَحَسَّرُ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ إِلا عَلَى سَاعَةٍ مَرَّتْ بِهِمْ لا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِيهَا
{jb_bluebox}"The dwellers of paradise will only regret the time they spent in the world not doing the dhikr of Allah" (Baihaqi){/jb_bluebox}
So do you really want to regret the time you wasted reading an unnecessary status of another person and browsing their pictures.
If you are haven't already done anything that you regret, there is no need to enter into something that has the potential to make you do something you will come to regret.
And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] A non mahram is that person with whom marriage is permissible.