Many people who read this may be sceptical in their opinion of this chapter and may point out that such services have huge virtues. To this I say-that the negatives outweigh the positives and the general principle in Islam is to leave such matters totally. An example from the Qur'an,

"They question you with regards to wine and gambling. Say (to them), 'In both there is great sin and (some) benefit for people but the sin is greater than their benefit."' (Surah baqarah 2:219)

Applying this principle to the matters mentioned above, it is quite obvious to the open minded that the problems in these services are greater than benefits they may possess. This can only be seen when a person ignores his whims and desires and analyses the issue at hand with an Intelligent mind. Though it may not go in accordance with our social agenda, Allah says in the Qur'an,

"And it may be that you dislike something which is good for you and it may be that you love something which is bad for you and Allah knows and you do not." (surah baqarah 2:216)

However, at times there can perhaps be some leeway. Many people genuinely use this as a means of communicating with dear ones as phone expenses may be too high. Sometimes a husband may want to message his wife from work or abroad. The scenarios are many but the leeway is there for people who have a very small amount of people to talk to and are not caught up in the many harms that such services bring. A circle of nine to ten people who are all spoken to and play intricately in ones day to day life is considered fine to speak to and share one's life with. However, many youngsters have hundreds of people on their accounts who they do not even speak to! So particularly in relation to youngsters, parents should supervise their socialising. My beloved teacher, Sheikh Abdur Rahim (may Allah protect him) mentioned the remedy to this. He said to the nearest effect in one of his talks during i'tikāf, "Don't give your children televisions and computers in their own room, you won't know what they are viewing! If you are going to keep such things in the house then place them in such a room that people pass by and are constantly looking as to what is on the computer screen. The child will not dare to view anything dodgy because he is in fear that someone will pass by and see him. Like this, he will never be at peace with the computer and this will lead him to only using it when necessary!"

Concluding, other than the spiritual harms and detrimental effects to one's belief; the result of everything mentioned above is a waste of time. An Arab poet would say,

"Time is the most precious thing I can find, But I find that it is the most easiest thing to squander."

The topic of free time will be discussed soon insha Allah but prior to that, I would like to discuss some matters that are also related to this topic of love insha Allah.