Beyond "Halal Entertainment": Rethinking the Role of Scholars in Youth Engagement

The Dangers of Replacing Passive Entertainment with “Islamic Alternatives”

In today’s world, the power of media cannot be denied. With the overwhelming influence of social media, it is no surprise that many scholars have turned to creating "Islamic alternatives" to Western content as a way to engage the youth. But are we truly providing a solution to the deeper spiritual and educational needs of our community, or are we merely offering a temporary distraction dressed in an Islamic cloak?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that creating Islamic videos—no matter how entertaining—will serve as the answer to the challenges our youth face. After all, these videos can be educational, fun, and engaging, offering a "safe" alternative to the harmful content that dominates mainstream media. However, there is a deeper question to ask: Are we truly engaging our youth in a way that will lead to lasting, meaningful transformation? Or are we simply keeping them entertained, feeding into a cycle of passive consumption?

The Issue with Simply Replacing Western Entertainment with Islamic Videos

The primary concern with this approach is that it keeps our youth in a passive state of consumption. Just because a video is Islamic does not mean it is engaging or transformative. When the focus is primarily on entertainment and “halal” fun, we miss the opportunity to engage the youth in a way that prompts critical thinking, deep reflection, and meaningful spiritual growth. Simply replacing harmful content with Islamic alternatives still perpetuates the habit of seeking gratification and amusement from external sources, rather than fostering an internal connection to our faith and a real understanding of what it means to live it in today’s world.

The Easy Path: Entertainment Over Engagement

There is no denying that it’s easier to create endless clips and videos that cater to the entertainment-driven culture. These videos may get views, likes, and shares. They may even generate income for those creating them. But is that enough? In truth, this approach avoids the real challenge of addressing the deeper, more pressing questions that our youth face. It avoids the harder work of truly engaging them in meaningful conversations, of helping them transform their hearts and minds.

The reality is, creating real solutions requires more than just turning on a camera. It requires scholars, educators, and community leaders to engage in deep thought, reflection, and actual transformation themselves. They need to be the ones who have the answers—not just for themselves, but for the youth they serve. This is the work that goes beyond the screen. It requires scholars to engage with the community in ways that are tangible, actionable, and deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam.

Moving from Passive Entertainment to Active Engagement

Instead of focusing on creating another round of Islamic videos that merely replace the passive consumption of Western media with a “halal” alternative, we need to create content and initiatives that:

1. Encourage Active Participation: Videos should engage youth in thought-provoking activities—whether through reflective journaling, real-life challenges, or meaningful discussions that prompt them to apply what they’ve learned to their daily lives.

2. Foster Real Relationships: Youth should be encouraged to connect with their community, with scholars, and with role models in ways that go beyond the screen. True learning happens in real conversations, not in one-way broadcasts.

3. Cultivate Critical Thinking: Islamic content must challenge youth to think critically, reflect deeply, and engage intellectually with the material. It should not simply provide answers but encourage them to ask questions and explore answers for themselves.

4. Promote Personal Transformation: Real growth occurs when youth are encouraged to take action in their own lives—whether it’s through spiritual practices, volunteering, or leadership roles within the community. Transformation is not about entertainment; it’s about living what you learn.

The True Challenge: Transforming the Scholar’s Role

The reason why the easy route of entertainment-driven videos seems so tempting is that it is less challenging. It’s easier to produce content that gets likes and views than to engage with youth on a deeper level. However, this easy path doesn’t provide real solutions or lasting change.

Real transformation requires that scholars step up and meet the challenge. They must not only teach but engage in ways that promote real change in the hearts and minds of the youth. Scholars must model the transformation they hope to see in others by living their own lives in a way that is deeply connected to the teachings of Islam, showing through example how to integrate this knowledge into daily life.

Moving Beyond “Islamic Alternatives”

Instead of simply offering more “Islamic alternatives” to entertainment, let us create an approach that encourages youth to engage in the real work of self-transformation and spiritual growth. We must aim for a shift from passive consumption to active participation—empowering youth to apply Islamic knowledge in a meaningful, real-world context.

This requires a broader, more holistic view of education—one that combines digital content with in-person engagement, one-on-one mentorship, and community involvement. By doing so, we not only teach youth about Islam but also equip them with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence, critical thinking, and spiritual grounding.

Conclusion: Shifting from Entertainment to Transformation

Ultimately, the goal is not just to create content for content’s sake. We need to challenge ourselves as scholars, educators, and community leaders to ask: How can we engage our youth in ways that truly lead to transformation? How can we move beyond the comfortable, easy path of entertainment-driven content and build a generation that is grounded in their faith, equipped with critical thinking skills, and empowered to make real-world changes? This is the true challenge, and it’s time we rise to meet it.

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