Every Muslim Blogger MUST Reflect On These Questions (Open Discussion)

Response from ProductiveMuslim.com – a site that links Islam to productivity!

- Is blogging really the most productive thing I could be doing with my time?
This is a good question, but perhaps a better question I’d ask is: why do you blog in the first place? If it’s simply to talk about yourself, your random expeditions and what you think about everything, perhaps there may be other activities which may be more productive for you to get involved in. However, if you’ve setup your blog with a clear message and a clear purpose, and Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) gifted you with the ability to write beautifully, then perhaps blogging is the most productive thing you can do in your time.

- How has this really increased my relationship with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’aala)?
I cannot speak for others, but personally, ProductiveMuslim.com has truly helped me increase servitude to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). I see this work not as a personal hobby, but an obligation, a small act in the big scheme of things to help the Ummah get back on its feet. Every time I write an article, I pray that I’m contributing positively to the Ummah and whenever I’m stuck I seek Allah’s help to help me continue.

Also, because I try to practice what I preach; blogging about productivity has helped me stay productive when I could have easily slouched into the abyss of an unproductive lifestyle. Moreover, for some of the articles I wrote, I had to read books and listen to some lecturers, which I might not have read/listened to if it wasn’t blogging.

- Are the posts and topics I write about really what we, as Muslims, need to focus on?
Productivity is not the only topic that Muslims should focus on, however, it is a topic that opens the doors to many areas. For example, a person who’s given the tools and techniques to being productive and balancing his busy lifestlye may finally achieve his goal of memorising Quran or learning the Seerah thanks to these tools and there are many similar examples.

- To what extent should we share our views?
I see where your question is coming from: Unfortunately, we do live in a world that is highly opinionated. Everyone thinks they know everything and you rarely hear the words “I don’t know” from people anymore. (SubhanaAllah, if only we remember that even Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said “I don’t know”).

I read somewhere (or heard in a lecture) that one of the signs of the Day of Judgement is that every person would be very impressed with their own opinions; blogging simply fuelled this phenomenon. The dangers of this of course is a) nothing is sacred anymore; we’ve seen clear examples of this with people cursing religions, and saying things that were utterly impossible to speak about few years back, and b) those who do have knowledge are not respected anymore; we’d rather listen to what joe blog says that what the true expert has to say.

As Muslim bloggers (and here’s another opinion ) we should as much as we can, back up all our Islamic references/discussions to authentic sources or what scholars have said, and if we do go outside these boundaries we should state clearly that this is our opinion and be humble to accept that we might be wrong. We should remember that if – God Forbid – we inspire a wrong thought or start an innovation (bida’a), we’ll be held to account for this, so we should be careful what we say, especially in matters of the religion.

- Where is the line between open discussion and speaking without knowledge?
Open discussion can be based upon knowledge, however speaking without knowledge is the disaster. But even the later, if it’s done with the intention of seeking knowledge, perhaps it’s better than keeping quiet. Let’s say someone started a blog about understanding Islam and he genuinely had no clue about certain aspects of Islam and he blogged about them, not as an authoritative figure but as someone who wants to learn, he might get a lot of help from the online world with people e-mailing him articles and lectures, moreover, as part of his online discussion, not only would he have taught himself, but taught others along the way as well. But again, the intentions here is key. If we have open discussion simply to prove others wrong, then that’s not beneficial nor is it the manners of the Muslim. One of the scholars said “I did not debate with someone accept I prayed that truth was on the other person’s tongue”

Finally, a person needs to be humble and realise that he/she doesn’t have the answers to everything and not argue to just seem that he/she is right. Imam Shafii said “I have never debated with a knowledgable person, except that I won the debate, and I have never debated with an ignorant person, except that I lost”

- What practical effects should Taqwa have on our blogging?
Taqwa should be a constant state, and it’s not something that you switch on/off as you move betweeen the online/offline worlds. Therefore, avoid backbiting, slander, lying when blogging, or speaking about Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and His Messenger with little manners or when you have no clue. Lower your gaze and use Islamic etiquette when you speak to your brothers and sisters online or on your facebook fan page. Build up your “online Taqwa” as much as you do for your offline (hmm.. I can see a new blog coming up “onlinetaqwa.com”! ..lol).

- Am I responsible to filter comments?
I’ve never filtered comments whether of those who disagreed with me, or were outright rude. I actually kept them because normally these comments attract good responses and debate among the community of readers. So I’ve personally taken a hands-off approach when it comes to filtering comments (except if it’s spam!).

- When does blogging become vain talk?
When it does not add value to my hereafter. A blog may be entertaining for this world, but if that entertainment cannot be linked to some value that can be added to the hereafter that we’re missing a big point of why we even exist on this earth.

- Will I be able to explain why I spent my time blogging on the Day of Judgment?
I make dua every day that everything I write on ProductiveMuslim.com and all the side projects we do are added to my scale of good deeds and the scale of good deeds of my team members in the Akhira. As Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, one of the things that will add to our good deeds long after a person is in his grave is “knowledge that is beneficial”.

Sometimes I even go to the extent of imagining how this ONE article, may inspire ONE person in the Ummah to be productive and do ONE thing that can be the reason for the victory of this Ummah and that’s my dua each day “O Allah, make me a reason for the success of this Ummah, O Allah use me for the servitude of your Ummah”

JazakAllah Khair for these thought provoking questions. Looking forward to a great discussion with fellow Muslim bloggers.

Asalaamu alaikum! You know, I was just reading over some tips for bloggers from other non-Muslim bloggers

Ben Casnocha’s Blog here: http://ben.casnocha.com/2009/06/how-to-be-interesting.html

and

Seth Godin’s Blog here: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2006/06/how_to_get_traf.html

And I noticed that they both have some great tips on how to be interesting, and how to get your blog noticed. But, still, I don’t think just having a Flickr account, writing 1 sentence a week, reading a new magazine weekly, podcasting interviews, or writing about overhead conversations in coffee shops (see above posts) will be enough to write and upkeep a QUALITY blog — which will have readers coming back for more. I really think it’s the Muslim blogger, if he ponders the questions you have listed on this post, who will in turn have the best blogs. And I think there are three main reasons for that:

1. Setting yourself as an expert on the ONE topic you’re blogging about. There are so many blogs I’ve seen online that are just ramblings of someone’s life — which may be interesting to some people, but the only journal/diaries people want to read are famous people’s like maybe Einstein, or one of the sahaba because they can get an idea of what that person did or thought that made them the genius he’s remembered as today. I know Br. Belal Khan at http://www.leechon.com/ has done a fantastic job with his, setting himself up as a media specialist and video producer through his blog, he’s even set up internships and advertised through them his blog. He’s a great example of someone who’s set himself as an expert on a topic through his blog.

2. The second thing I find with Muslim bloggers is that they write sincerely for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) — like Zaufishan of http://www.muslimness.com. I’m not one to judge the sincerity of anyone, but her group blog is masha allah great at always posting relevant blog posts, about hadith, hajj, and daily reminders about living halal

3. The third thing I think Muslim bloggers are doing right is writing posts which benefits their communities and the world at large. They, for the most part, take a sincere, honest, and balanced position on important issues of today, like Ify of MuslimApple at http://www.ifyokoye.com. She wrote a blog post about women coming in to the men’s area to pray behind them so they’re not left out of masjid decisions and activities. She wrote a fair and balanced new story about this event held in DC. I think the post is an inspiration to all Muslims to stand up for what’s right. You can find the article here: http://ifyokoye.com/2010/06/08/pray-in-accordance-to-the-sunnah-women-protest-against-marginalization/

So those are the there reasons I think Muslims are raising the bar in the blogosphere. I really think the blogosphere is cluttered with some mindless blogs, and I think insha allah Muslim blogs will continue to stand out against the ordinary blogs if they keep the three points above in mind and think carefully about the questions you posed in this post. Jazak allah khairun again and keep it up!

asalamu alaykum.

I’m a new blogger and don’t know too much about blogging. My blog doesn’t look as fancy as some of the blogs I’ve been seeing either but I do think that my blog contains some good info. I’m not very knowledgeable nor am I talented in any specific field but I know that I want to be a Daa’iyah. I want to spread Islam and tell people about Islam to the best of my ability Insha Allah.

These questions are very important to ask oneself indeed. Alhamdulillah my intentions for my blog were good at the beginning I hope they stay that way because shaytaan does not attack only once.

Jazakallah, good site and a very good point.

I want my blog site to inspire, inform and introduce people to live life to it’s fullest through outdoor adventure.

I also want share my personal experience in the hope that this will inspire Muslims around the world.

An inspiration like visiting Palestine >> http://muslimspirit.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/palestine-the-holy-land/

I agree a lot of time is spent blogging, trying to understand how to increase traffic, how to improve content, writing skills etc…even now I am checking the time so I don’t miss my Isha in Masjid!!

great post, but some other muslim misunderstand what is the true meaning of Islam, but you can read here: The True Meaning of Islam