Social Media and Islamic Ethics: An Insight to Instagram Use by Muslim University Students in Malaysia

Abstract

Instagram is one of the more popular social media platforms in
Malaysia and was the focus of the study. Muslims ought to use Instagram
according to Islamic ethics, as Islam is a way of life that permeates their
lifestyle. The study’s purpose was to examine the usage of Instagram by
Muslim students of an Islamic university in Malaysia. Using Social Cognitive
Theory, the study adopted a phenomenological research design involving
interviews of 24 students. The findings depicted that Instagram was used in
an Islamic manner by most Muslim students interviewed and that most were
dissatisfied with Instagram features and hence, gave recommendations. The
Islamic orientation in their university helped with. The study is important as
it provides recommendations to Instagram and marketing communicators on
the ideal ambience of a social media platform for Muslim university students.