By Shafiy Nordin
Gombak, 29 May 2025: “Don’t be a slave to the algorithm,” warned motivational speaker and veteran media personality, Amin Idris during an engaging session at Comm Fest 2025 today.
Speaking in the forum “Being Muslim Online: Awareness, Ethics, and the Digital Footprint,” in HSC Seminar Room at IIUM, Amin called on students and content creators to rise above the noise of online trends and regain control over their digital presence.
Here are five key tips from his inspiring talk:
1. Don’t Chase Virality, Lead with Values
“Don’t be the slave of algorithms. Be the one who controls it,” Amin highlighted. He urged the audience not to create content just for views, likes, and followers, but also to ensure it serves a meaningful purpose aligned with Islamic values and personal integrity.
2. Your Digital Footprint is Your Resume
Amin reminded the students that what they post online can shape future opportunities. “Social media today is your resume,” he said, highlighting that employers and collaborators often judge character based on online presence. Therefore, it is essential to maintain respectful and ethical content, avoiding inappropriate and unethical postings.
3. Be a Khalifah Online, Not Just Offline
Deriving from Quranic teachings, Amin emphasized that Muslims are meant to be leaders in all aspects, including the digital one. He encouraged the audience to align their content with hablum minallah (relationship with God) and hablum minannas (relationship with people), which emphasize sincerity and purpose.
4. Know Your Audience — Give What They Need
Acknowledging the challenge of monetizing ethical and educational content, especially when media trends favour sensational content, Amin advised creators to understand their audience deeply. “We must give people not only what they want, but also what they need,” he said. Fun content can still carry positive messages and values, taking Khairul Aming as a good example.
5. Start with Niyyah and Build Your Own Way
Amin advised students to begin with clear intention (niyyah) and find their own creative way rather than blindly following trends. “Trends pass. Values stay,” he stated. He also encouraged young Muslims to be a game-changer of the digital world, the one who is in control and the one who gives values.
As someone who has over 22 years of experience working with traditional and digital media, Amin mentioned that creators who rise quickly through controversy to gain views, will fall harder. “Those who create controversial content, yes, they rise fast. But remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall,” he cautioned.
He ended with a call for Muslims youth to become ethical influencers who maintain discipline, good manners (akhlak), and leadership online. “Be the best you can. You don’t have to be exclusive; be inclusive. But in a skillful way and with value,” he said,
The session concluded with a reminder that Muslims must take care not just their content, but their character and purpose in the digital world.***
