Understanding Islamic Rulings on Social Media Use Among Muslim Youth in Katsina State

This study examines Muslim youth awareness and application of Islamic rulings on the use of social media in Katsina State, North West Nigeria. The rapid proliferation of smartphones and social platforms in Nigeria has introduced new questions about permissible and impermissible online conduct that Islamic scholars and communities are actively grappling with. The study adopts a descriptive survey design using questionnaires administered to 280 Muslim youth aged 15 to 30 in Katsina metropolis, Daura, and Funtua. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings reveal that while respondents demonstrate general awareness of Islamic principles applicable to online conduct such as truthfulness, avoidance of backbiting (Ghibah), and prohibition of obscene content, a significant proportion admit to engaging in behaviours online that contradict these principles. The influence of peer norms, anonymous online identities, and limited structured Islamic guidance on digital conduct contribute to this gap. The study recommends the development of Islamic digital ethics education programmes for youth, the active engagement of Islamic scholars on social media platforms, and mosque-based digital responsibility seminars targeting young Muslims. Keywords: Islamic rulings, social media, Muslim youth, digital ethics, Katsina State.