A Dangerous Habit Is Spreading in Our Communities
Assalamu alaikum. I want to speak frankly about something deeply troubling that’s becoming impossible to ignore-especially among younger Muslims. The issue isn’t just addiction itself, which already hurts mental health and iman. What scares me more is how some people are now crossing serious lines, violating consent and privacy, all for this habit. I’ve witnessed brothers joking about it or even acting on it, and it’s our sisters who pay the price. There are even spaces online dedicated to sharing pictures of hijabi women, including their own relatives, betraying the trust of those who feel safe around them. The behaviors I’m talking about include: 1. Doing such acts in public or near others who never agreed to be part of it. 2. Using seemingly innocent images-content that shouldn’t be sexualized at all-especially when it involves minors. 3. Taking photos shared privately and spreading them in groups, inviting filthy comments. 4. Targeting everyday photos of friends, family, or even popular figures, sharing them without permission and putting people in real danger. Forgive the tough words, but I’m upset and furious. You might tell yourself it’s just a private thing, but the circles you share with often have darker plans. These actions don’t stay small-they feed worse addictions, pushing you to break more rules, ignore consent completely. I’ve seen people boast about it online, unaware of the enormous damage or how illegal it really is. Whether you realize it or not, this has spiraled too far. Our laws and social media platforms-like Telegram, Discord, and others-are failing to control this mess. This isn’t normal. If you’re involved, something is wrong, and you need help from a counselor who respects Islamic values. It’s haram, yes, but also just not how a human being should act-violating boundaries, sexualizing ordinary photos, family members, or children. This is harassment, and in some cases, it’s assault in the eyes of the law. You can face legal consequences, and the spiritual weight is immense. If you feel as disgusted as I do, speak out against it. Report those who do it. Warn the victims if you can. Use tip lines to alert authorities. Push for better policies online. Ask our imams and community leaders to address this openly. It starts with us holding wrongdoers accountable. Our sisters deserve protection. The internet has become a fearful place where people hide behind screens, thinking they’re invisible because no one stops them. But just like criminals who think they’re safe in a crowd, they’re not-they just haven’t been caught yet. If you do this: you are in the wrong. You can and will face justice, both socially and legally. If we don’t act together, this will only grow, hurting the ones we love, especially women and children. May Allah guide us all.