It is a mere few days into the Gregorian New Year and not surprisingly, the first new craze has surfaced. The new trend that is catching the waves and gaining traction is none other than the so called “Bird Box Challenge”.
Bird Box – The Movie
For those who are not acquainted with the latest Netflix hit starring Sandra Bullock which amassed 45 million viewers in only 7 days on the Netflix platform, the challenge is based on the Netflix movie about a monster bird that decimated the world’s population and against which the only defense the human population has is ——-> a blindfold……..
The movie’s success has spawned a whole slew of fresh memes over the holidays showcasing Sandra Bullock and her blindfold. Now it has taken on another angle and generated momentum by those who took it a step further and started donning blindfolds whilst doing everyday activities.
If you can recall the “Kiki Challenge” that was labeled dangerous and which happened not too long ago in the recent year, this “Bird Box Challenge” has upped the ante and despite the obvious harm it poses, it is definitely not short of suitors.
What is the “Bird Box Challenge”?
Seriously, as stupid as the challenge sounds, it is even more ridiculous looking at it. The bird box challenge involves reenacting the scenario of the movie where survivors had to survive from being taken out by a monster bird by wearing blindfolds. Apparently, the bird can only affect people through sight. Therefore the only way to stay alive is by not looking at the creature.
So people carrying out the bird box challenge will wear blindfolds and go around attempting to do normal activities which may be pretty dangerous looking at what some of the participants have been trying to do. There were even some who seem to be doing acts like driving blindfolded. I do hope they were pretending to do those so called activities.
The level of stupidity and peril it harbours for both the participant and his or her immediate surroundings has no bounds. It has even led Netflix to issue a warning on its official Twitter channel to urge people not to do the challenge.
Considering the fact that it is dangerous and people look stupid doing it, it begets logic as to why people actually participate in the activity.
Why the bird box challenge?
One reason could be to seek attention or to generate likes by essentially outdoing each other in stupidity. It is fast becoming a rule that it does not matter how you do it as long as you do it. In the world of social media, this rule gets skewed and grayed out when people stop using their brains.
Our Humble Opinion
…and do not cast yourselves into destruction with your own hands; do good, for Allah loves those who do good.
Al-Quran 2:195
So where do we as Muslims stand on this matter. Well it is pretty straightforward and a no brainer actually, pun intended. The activity is dangerous, stupid and not only does it endanger the participant, innocent bystanders who want no part of it are affected too. And that is pretty unfair and downright selfish to involve others who do not want to participate.
Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.
Al-Quran 8:22
So it goes without saying that the activity entails endangerment of self and lives may even be at stake here. Not only that, it is much a pretty waste of time and any decent employer or boss will not be too pleased to see his employee behaving in such a way. And when you parade your behavior on social media, there is a pretty likely chance that they may come upon it especially if they are in your social circle.
As such, it would be reasonable to say that this activity is prohibited from an Islamic point of view and any Muslim should refrain from doing the challenge.
Not only that, if you know anyone who is foolish enough to do it, please knock some sense into their heads and help them find their brains. They might have inadvertently dropped it while they are busy putting on the blindfolds. And while you are at it, refrain from sounding like a bird. If you don’t know what I mean, go and watch the movie. 😄
The information listed herewith consists of our own personal opinions and do not form any official Islamic injunction, fatwa or ruling. If in doubt, please kindly consult your friendly neighborhood imam or any learned scholar or ustaz.
Scroll down below to see our exclusive Humble Muslim Score to wrap up our opinion!
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Humble Muslim Scoring System
The Humble Muslim Scoring System comprises of three components:
- Impact on Belief
- Fiqh Aspect
- Rationality
Impact on Belief: The Score looks at how much the act impacts on the belief of a Muslim. If the act compromises the Muslim beliefs, then it will be given a score below 50. The lower it is, the more it compromises beliefs. A score of 50 indicates a neutral level where there is no compromise nor enhancement of belief. A score above 50 indicates that there might be an enhancement of Islamic beliefs.
Fiqh Aspect: This looks at fiqh or the physical acts of a Muslim. In Islam, a Muslim must behave in accordance with the religion and his actions must fall within Islamic guidelines. In essence, Islam encourages good deeds and staying away from bad deeds. A score of 50 is neutral indicating neither good or bad. A score of below 50 indicates that the deed is not recommended in Islam whereas a score above 50 signals a good deed.
Rationality: This looks at the logic behind the act as well as weighing out the pros and cons. Utilizing the mind to analyze as well as determining if it is an act worth carrying out, a score is given based on how rational or logical the act is and if it is actually beneficial. A score of 50 is neutral. A score of below 50 indicates an irrational and illogical act not of any form of benefit. A score of above 50 indicates some benefit to doing the act.
The total is then tabulated and will make up the Humble Muslim Score.