How Gen Z Muslims Are Reclaiming Faith in the Age of TikTok and WhatsApp?

If you were to build a profile of Generation Z based on popular commentary, you might sketch a portrait of a generation defined by paradoxes and problems. They are often labelled as the "always-on" generation, yet are said to feel more disconnected than ever.

They are characterised as easily distracted, perpetually dependent on technology, and possessing a fleeting approach to careers and commitments that can seem alien to older generations. This narrative, while common, raises a crucial question for us as educators: Is it entirely fair? More importantly, is it accurate?

Here at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), our daily life is interwoven with the very students this narrative attempts to describe. We do not merely lecture from a distance; we are immersed in conversation, observation, and deep engagement with them. From this vantage point, a significantly different picture emerges.

We see a striking gentleness in their interactions and, particularly within our campus environment, a pronounced conservatism that seems to stand in direct opposition to the chaotic, liberalising currents of the wider internet.

This observation became a point of deep fascination for us. It presented a compelling puzzle: How does this generation, born as digital natives and swimming daily in the vast, unfiltered ocean of social media, manage to cultivate and maintain such traditional values? This question led us to form a hypothesis.

We believed that amidst the endless scroll of memes, trends, and secular content, these young Muslims were also encountering a steady, persistent stream of religious reminders and Islamic teachings. Imagine a childhood and adolescence where your screen, the portal to your social world, also serves as a constant source of spiritual exposure woven into your formative years.

We theorised that this sustained engagement must be a powerful force, shaping their language, moulding their beliefs, and guiding their practices in significant ways. This was the catalyst for our recent research, a journey to understand the real impact of the digital world on the faith of our students.

Researching the Soul of a Digital Generation

To move from observation to evidence, we embarked on a formal study. Our research was designed to explore how IIUM's Gen Z students perceive the role of Islamic social media content in their lives.

We utilised an online survey that blended quantitative questions with open-ended qualitative prompts, allowing for a rich combination of data and personal stories. With 345 students participating, the findings painted a vivid picture of a generation actively and intentionally using technology to deepen their faith.

The Language of Faith

Speaking a Shared Identity One of the most immediate impacts we discovered was on daily language. The students' responses showed that Islamic digital content had a clear, positive influence on their vocabulary.

Phrases such as "Alhamdulillah," "Insha Allah," "Masha Allah," and "JazakAllah khair" have become more than just occasional religious expressions; for many, they are now integral components of their everyday conversations.

This is not a superficial change. The integration of this vocabulary reflects a conscious and deliberate effort by these young people to align their daily expressions with their core Islamic identity. It signifies a desire to bring the remembrance of Allah into the mundane, transforming casual chats into acts of mindfulness.

As one student articulated, "Seeing Islamic content regularly reminds me to be more mindful and intentional in how I speak. It keeps my language reflective of my faith." This intentionality is a powerful counter-narrative to the idea of a generation lost in mindless scrolling.

Digital Reminders and a Deepening Spiritual Connection

Beyond just their words, the survey highlighted a substantial impact on the students' overall religious identity and practices. A significant number of participants reported feeling a stronger spiritual connection and noted an increased adherence to their Islamic duties as a direct result of their digital engagement.

A recurring theme was the timeliness of these digital reminders. Numerous respondents described how a short video, a quote, or a shared post would appear on their feed precisely when they needed it most, feeling like a message sent just for them. These digital nudges serve as spiritual anchors in a sea of daily distractions.

They encourage a continuous remembrance of Allah, transforming the phone from a potential distraction into a tool for spiritual grounding. As another participant noted, "Islamic content helps me stay grounded. It reminds me to pause, reflect, and reconnect with Allah amidst my busy day."

Interestingly, while TikTok remains the undisputed number one platform for popularity, it was WhatsApp that emerged as a surprisingly potent force for Islamic content. Its use surpassed that of X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that the intimate, trusted-network nature of WhatsApp statuses and groups makes it a fertile ground for sharing meaningful spiritual messages.

This, coupled with the powerful, algorithm-driven content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, creates a rich and diverse ecosystem for spiritual nourishment.

The Urgent Call for Credibility and Authenticity

However, the students' experience is not one of naive acceptance. Alongside their appreciation, they voiced significant and valid concerns about the digital landscape. The primary worry is the proliferation of misinformation and the rise of unqualified influencers. The very ease of content creation that allows for a diversity of voices has also compromised the authenticity and reliability of some of the religious content available.

The students expressed a clear and urgent desire for credibility. They are actively looking for knowledgeable and trustworthy Islamic figures to populate these digital spaces and provide guidance they can depend on.

One student captured this dilemma perfectly, reflecting, "It's difficult sometimes to discern if what we're seeing genuinely reflects Islamic teachings." This statement is not just a complaint; it is a plea. It shows the critical responsibility that falls upon educational institutions and established religious scholars to step up and guide younger Muslims through the complexities of the digital environment.

The Path Forward: Wisdom in the Digital Age

As educators and da'wah practitioners, how do we answer this call? How do we effectively connect with a generation that is forging its identity online? The Quran itself provides the best guidance. In Surah al-Nahl, Allah instructs us: "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner" (16:125). This verse is a blueprint for modern digital da'wah. This call to wisdom (ḥikmah) should inform how educators use and influence the digital space.

The insights from our study point to an urgent need for a proactive approach. We must work to build credible, engaging, and spiritually uplifting digital ecosystems. By ensuring that the Islamic teachings we share are accurate, we can effectively support the spiritual and personal growth of Gen Z Muslims.

The digital world presents undeniable challenges, but it also holds remarkable opportunities. By listening to the views of Generation Z and actively addressing their concerns for authenticity, educators and religious communities can transform these digital spaces.

We can help nurture a generation of Muslims who are not diminished by technology but empowered by it, a generation that confidently and beautifully integrates their language, identity, and faith into every aspect of their lives, both online and offline.

Rabiah Tul Adawiyah Mohamed Salleh is Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. She teaches Psycholinguistics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Rabiah is a strong advocate for the decolonization and Islamization of knowledge within language studies.

Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin is Assistant Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at IIUM in Kuala Lumpur, Editor-in-Chief of Islamonweb-English, and head of the Medico-Fiqh Institute project. His research focuses on Islamic jurisprudence in biomedicine. He holds degrees in sociology, Islamic jurisprudence, and Islamic medical jurisprudence. An established author and researcher, he has produced over 30 publications and three books.