Popularity of technology in religious context | ٹیکنالوجی کی مقبولیت مذہبی تناظر میں

The 21st century is the century of technological advancement. The pace at which technology has advanced in the 21st century, it was unimaginable in the 20th century that the world would become so fast-paced and full of conveniences.

Technology has not only made our daily lives easier but also had an impact on our religious lives. Now we need to see to what extent we have embraced technological advancement and to what extent we are firmly rooted in our old and traditional ways. I believe that if technology does not diminish the essence of our worship but rather makes it easier for us to perform religious rituals, then such technology should be welcomed. However, despite this, you would be surprised to know that even in this digital age, there are people who do not show complete satisfaction with the modification of religion and express such intensity and stubbornness in opposition to technology that they consider it explicitly prohibited. For example, if we talk about loudspeakers, it is an invention and technology through which we can transmit our voices to far-off places without any difficulty. As you can see, its use has become common in every place of worship, and considerable expense is also incurred on speakers. But there is still a class of people who consider the use of speakers during worship as an innovation. They believe that the call to prayer (i.e., the method of calling people to worship) should also be simple, and prayers should be offered without the aid of technology. Similarly, their theory about other religious beliefs and practices is also that obtaining convenience through scientific technology is not entirely correct. Therefore, they do not show willingness to modify their fasting and prayers through technology. Even today, in most areas of Pakistan, the direction of the Qibla is determined by observing the sunset, but reliance is not placed on technology such as a compass or Qibla finder. Reading the Tasbih on the hand brings reward, but reading the Tasbih on a digital counter is not considered correct by some. The purpose is that in our rural areas, the environment is so simple that even bringing a smartphone into worship places is not allowed. Their view is that the smartphone is merely a temptation of the digital world.

When it comes to digitization, the issue of digital imagery immediately comes under discussion. In today's era, where every child has a smartphone in their hand and VR technology has made images so realistic that it becomes difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction, the issue of imagery is still under discussion, and a significant class of scholars still considers it completely forbidden and unlawful. On the other hand, there are researchers who understand the nature of imagery and hold the theory that it is merely a simulated light and wave that cannot be considered real. Well, the point is that even today, there are many scholars who tend to avoid technology. Those who consider digital imagery as prohibited also believe that every image present in mobile phones is sinful. But despite this, they still use it. It's astonishing. How is it possible that learning prayers, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage from books is acceptable but not through videos? If we learn our religious teachings through videos, such as the translation, interpretation, recitation, biography, hadith, taking online classes, lectures, or watching Islamic cartoons in animation form, then what is there to object to? If there is reward in physically lifting and reading the Quran, then why shouldn't there be reward in reading it on a mobile phone?

My intention is certainly not to oppose simplicity. Simplicity is a standard. If we have the strength and perform worship with diligence, then the reward is greater. But if someone can perform the same task with convenience, then it should be accepted. Today, we see countless applications available on our smartphones that can resolve even the most difficult religious issues in minutes. Even the most complicated issues of inheritance can be solved with a single click using an Inheritance Calculator application. Apps like Maktabah Shamila can provide us with references to any Hadith in an instant. We can have access to all kinds of religious guidance at any moment, so why not take advantage of it? When we are benefiting from technology in all aspects of life – agriculture, trade, economy, and daily living – then why is the use of technology in religious matters not acceptable?

Yes, I agree. It is indeed true that we encounter both good and bad paths on the internet. Just like that, technology can offer us both benefits and drawbacks. We should promote its beneficial use under the guidance of scholars, and where technology conflicts with our beliefs, we should certainly avoid it. However, adopting a completely negative attitude towards it is not acceptable. Our religion is not so narrow-minded that it cannot accept technological advancements. Where religion provides us with convenience, we should embrace it. Our jurisprudence also follows the principle that when difficulties become widespread, leniency is granted in rulings. This means that when everyone collectively adopts a certain technology or a new method that is not explicitly contradictory to Sharia, there is room for its acceptance. Therefore, in today's modern era, the trend of using technology should be aligned with religious teachings to the extent possible to provide convenience to the common people. So that religious teachings do not become burdensome upon us. This is also the essence of a Hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them." (Sahih Bukhari: Hadith: 6125)