Muslim Women Trending on Social Media

Scrolling through social media these days can be an eye-opening experience, but not in the best way. I was shocked and appalled—to see so many Muslim women, young and old alike, participating in trends and behaviours that seemed completely at odds with the values of our Deen.  I grew up respecting women folk, who are now publicly displaying their lives and bodies, dancing, revealing themselves, and seeking attention and validation from strangers online. 

For a Muslim, this trend raises troubling questions. How did we get here? How did norms of modesty and respect—so intrinsic to Islam—become sidelined in favour of behaviours that promote anything but dignity and self-respect? Secular liberalism, with its emphasis on “empowerment” and “freedom,” has been championed as a path to equality. But is it? What I’m seeing makes me question this model entirely.

The Secular Model of Empowerment

Secular liberalism promotes the idea of individual freedom, often interpreted as the right to act, speak, and dress however one chooses. However, in practice, these freedoms frequently lead to a loss of purpose and moral clarity. In Western societies, the notion of “liberation” is often synonymous with women displaying their bodies, as if this form of exposure equates to freedom. Yet it is paradoxical that the gender meant to be “empowered” in this model—women—are often the most vulnerable to its pressures and consequences.

In the secular model, validation is heavily based on visibility, appearance, and social approval. However, this approval often centres on satisfying the male gaze, reducing “equality” to a concept that hinges on pleasing men. Western society insists that women are “empowered” by their independence and self-expression, yet this same society experiences a surge in mental health crises, body image struggles, and even exploitation among young women. Is this true liberation? Far from it. Ironically, this so-called empowerment leaves many—especially young women—more vulnerable than ever, seeking self-worth in ways that seem to reinforce the very power imbalances it claims to challenge.

As Muslims, we are being told that this is what equality looks like—that freedom and empowerment mean behaving however we wish, irrespective of moral or spiritual implications. But is this liberation? Or is it just another form of social enslavement, pushing us to conform to fleeting ideals rather than grounded principles? Seeing Muslim women caught up in these pressures of self-display and exhibition on social media shows how deeply secular liberalism has influenced our community, often at the cost of our dignity.

Islam as an Ideological Alternative: A Model Rooted in Taqwa and Ghira

Islam offers a profoundly different understanding of what it means to be empowered and equal. True empowerment in Islam is not defined by how much attention one can gather, nor is it measured by how freely one can flaunt oneself publicly. Instead, Islamic empowerment is rooted in taqwa—God-consciousness—and ghira, a sense of honour and dignity that protects not only the individual but also the family and the broader community.

In the Islamic model, equality is based on the belief that men and women are spiritually equal before Allah, with unique roles and responsibilities that honour their differences and contributions. Where secularism defines empowerment as breaking away from all constraints, Islam views empowerment as self-discipline, striving for spiritual refinement, and preserving one’s dignity. The Qur’an instructs both men and women to observe modesty and respect, saying, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments…” (Qur’an 24:31).

Ghira, the protective sense of honour, is not a concept rooted in jealousy or control, but in love and respect. When a Muslim man has ghira, he feels responsible for his family’s welfare and moral integrity. Far from being restrictive, ghira promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and protection. This principle transcends gender; it’s about maintaining an environment where each person is valued for who they are, not for how well they fit into shallow social ideals.

The Role of the Muslim Man: Guardian, Not Controller

One of the key problems with the secular model is that it promotes an individualism that often severs family bonds and dismisses the roles that bind us together. In Islam, however, the family is a unit in which each person has a role and responsibility. The man of the house is not an enforcer; he is a shepherd, a guardian whose responsibility is not only to his immediate family but to his broader community as well.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasised this, saying: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them…” (Sahih al-Bukhari 7138). In other words, silence in the face of behaviour that contradicts Islamic values doesn’t just affect one’s family; it can weaken the moral foundation of the entire community. When men stay silent out of fear of “judgement” or “backlash,” they risk leaving their families unguarded against the tide of a secular culture that values superficiality over sincerity.

The Problem with Secular Individualism

Secular liberalism champions individual autonomy but often fails to account for the societal impact of individual actions. It treats personal behaviour as an isolated matter, without acknowledging how these behaviours shape a community’s values and norms. This is where Islam offers a more robust approach: personal choice is exercised within the framework of responsibility to oneself, one’s family, and one’s community. Islamic teachings do not deny individuality, but they encourage each person to pursue excellence within a community-oriented ethical system.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah has a sense of ghira, and the believer also has a sense of ghira. Allah’s sense of ghira is provoked if the believer commits what He has forbidden.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5223). This teaching illustrates the value Islam places on personal responsibility, urging us to act in ways that maintain integrity and harmony. In the Islamic model, protecting one’s dignity isn’t just about modesty in appearance; it’s about fostering a moral standard that strengthens community ties.

Islam An Inclusive and Sustainable Model

True empowerment, according to Islam, doesn’t come from shedding values to fit into a secular ideal. It comes from embracing one’s inherent dignity and responsibilities, knowing that we are accountable to Allah and that our actions affect not only ourselves but those around us. In Islam, empowerment and equality are not superficial concepts. They are deeper ideals that encourage us to seek Allah’s pleasure and build a community based on mutual respect, purpose, and integrity.

The secular concept of liberation might tell us that empowerment is synonymous with visibility, but Islam teaches that real empowerment lies in understanding and respecting one’s purpose and in exercising that purpose with humility and wisdom. We are more than our social media profiles, our public personas, and the attention we can attract. Islam reminds us that true equality is in spiritual worth, and true empowerment is in staying true to our values.

An Alternative for Western Women and Men

The time has come for Muslims to consider: are we willing to trade our faith-based values for a fleeting sense of freedom? Or will we reclaim our Islamic identity, which offers dignity, respect, and responsibility as the true sources of strength and liberation? Muslims today have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to present a meaningful alternative to the Western model, which leaves many women oppressed by societal expectations of exposure and objectification, and men entrenched in misogyny.

Let’s rediscover and champion a model of empowerment rooted in purpose, where personal integrity benefits not only ourselves but also our families and communities. Islamic values offer a much-needed alternative that can inspire women who feel trapped by shallow ideals of “empowerment” and men who struggle to navigate a society that treats them as either oppressors or competitors.

Upholding the Islamic Model as a Path to True Validation

Islam provides a timeless framework for empowerment that doesn’t rely on the fickle approval of others. It champions an equality that elevates, not degrades, and empowers both men and women to pursue their best selves within a structure of respect and shared values. True equality and liberation cannot be found in superficial displays of “freedom” but are deeply rooted in a sense of responsibility to Allah, ourselves, and each other.

The time has come for us to reclaim the Islamic model of empowerment, which sees men and women as essential and dignified beings, each with unique contributions. Together, we can strengthen our communities and inspire a generation of Muslims who seek to build a life rooted in respect, moral clarity, and responsibility. Let’s move forward with pride in a model that upholds integrity and preserves the dignity of all.