Smartphone is a “mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability and connectivity than a common mobile phone”. Many modern smartphones today include high-resolution touchscreens and web browsers, high-speed data access through Wi-Fi and mobile broadband and a variety of applications (apps).
Most of smartphone users today are interested in android based smartphones. A big reason for the popularity of Android phones is availability of huge numbers of apps. In layman’s language, Android app can be defined as a software application that causes a smartphone to perform useful tasks beyond running your mobile phone. These apps may be as simple as a calculator or may be as complex as showing your current location in satellite map using GPS (Global positioning system). Android apps can help in productivity increase (unless they are games), solve a definite purpose and have added functionalities. Android apps are available in the Google Play Store (formerly known as the Android Market). Android Play Store currently has more than 800,000 apps which makes it one of the leading apps market in the world.
India is the second largest mobile handset market in the world after China. The Indian mobile consumers’ increasing preference for high-end handsets especially the young generation is crazy about smartphones. That’s why the number of smartphone users is increasing continually. In the last year, the number of users has exceeded 4 million. India has more than 40% youth population (around 460 millions) out of which around 333 millions are literate. This figure is resulting in increased growth of smartphones in the country. A survey shows that half of these smart users are young aged not more than 25 years.
Young Muslim generation today is responsible for creating an awareness of what is really involved for Muslims when it comes to the adoption of modern technology like smartphones. And in this domain, in fact, Muslims in western countries and Pakistan have a much greater awareness on the receiving end of modern technology, and this itself is one of the major issues that should be dealt with today. Technology today is taking us away from Islam and now we need to adopt the technology to move ourselves towards Islam.
Most of today’s technologies come from the west and Muslims are skeptical towards use of modern technology (as smartphones) in routine life but at the same time it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep pace with time without use of such sophisticated gadgets. Modern technologies spread very rapidly among Muslim youths and Indian Muslims are no exception as for the use of smartphones. We suggest to keep yourselves aloof from these smartphones (due to its increases misuses); however, if you are already using one then there is an urgent need to make it an Islamic Assistant.
As others, the Muslim youth today keep themselves busy with these smartphones in social networking (using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Orkut, bigadda, ibibo, LinkedIn, etc.), Chatting (MSN Messenger, Facebook messenger, Google+ messenger, Skype, WhatApp, etc.), online television, Web browsing, Image editing and gaming. The major reason for this is that we believe the smartphone is only made to perform such insane activities. However, now we need to think that there is something important that we can do using these smartphones to create a healthy understanding of modern technologies for future in an Islamic perspective.
In this context, we reviewed some of the most interesting Islamic Android Apps which are must-have for every Muslim.
- 1. IQuran: This app offers its users the Complete Qur’ān in the Uthmani Font along with verse by verse translation and recitation. iQuran offers excellent usability options and extreme ease of use.
2. Sahih Al-Bukhari (English Free): Sahih Al Bukhari is one of the six canonical hadith collections of Islam. Bukhari’s collection is recognised by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be one of the most authentic collections of ahadith. This app is classified chapterwise and also provides option for searching specific word in Sahih Al-Bukhari.
3. Sahih Muslim Free: Sahih Muslim is the second most authentic hadith collection. This app is an English translation and provides various options like sharing hadith through sms, search option, easy navigation, etc.
4. Islamic Muslim Prayer Manager: It’s a Fee App that can help you to remind, analyse and manage Salah (Namaz). To our knowledge it is the best app which comes with the features like Adhan (Azaan), manual adjustment of Salah timings, compass showing direction of Qibla and most importantly – history of your 7 days missed Salah so that you can perform them later without getting confused about your Qaza Salah.
5. Tasbeeh with Actual Tasbeeh Experience: This Tasbeeh app lets you count the Zikr and Azkar you do to improve your spiritual connection with God. This app makes the Zikr and Azkar really easy. With sound effect and vibrate option you can concentrate more on your Prayers, Zikr, and Azkars without always looking at screen.
6. Supplications: This application is a collection of 30 duaas with the audio on each duaa and the translation and the transcription. This application provides the user with useful supplications for occasions and everyday interactions (e.g: going to the toilet, visiting the sick, greeting a friend, etc.)
7. Qadha Manager: This application makes it easy to get control of qadha-e-Umri salahs. An user can easily register salahs, see statistics and reduce a salah after completing.
8. Stories of the Prophets: The stories of the Prophets App features e-book of the stories of 25 Prophets mentioned in the Qur’ān, Videos section covering Prophets Stories and Dedicated Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) Section. The content is from Ibn Kathir.
9. 365 Sayings: Prophet Muhammad: This app contains wisdom and compassion for all; regardless of your beliefs, gender or status in life. The application will give you an insight of the kindness of the Prophet Muhammad and the tolerance and love he has for mankind.
10. Best Islamic Apps: This app lets you find best applications for Muslims available on Google play. It contains a list of 1117 great apps in 18 categories. A lot of good information about Islam, utility apps, qibla, apps for praying, great Islamic wallpapers and other useful apps.
[SYED IMRAN HASHMI is Senior Research Assistant, College of Food Technology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani email: imran.cftpbn@gmail.com; and SHAIKH ABRAR AHMED is Lecturer, Dr. Zakir Hussain High School, Partur.]