Drum Majors of God: Redefining
Recognition in the Age of Social Media
⏱ Reading Time: 6–7 minutes
📜 Epigraph:
Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech The Drum Major Instinct,
this reflection urges us to reimagine what true leadership and recognition mean
in today’s age of social media fame and religious presentation.
Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., in his stirring 1968 sermon The Drum Major Instinct,
offered a powerful redefinition of leadership—not as a pursuit of prestige, but
as a humble march toward justice, peace, and righteousness. He famously said:
“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that
I was a drum major for justice... a drum major for peace... a drum major for
righteousness... I just want to leave a committed life behind.” Martin Luther King Jr., “Drum Major
Instinct” (1968)
"Say: 'I do not ask you for any reward for it; it
is nothing but a reminder for all the worlds.'" Qur’an 6:90
The
Search for Spotlight
In a world
governed by “likes,” followers, and subscribers, we are witnessing a new kind
of pulpit. It is not built on stone or wood, but on screens and algorithms.
Social media platforms have become the new megaphones for voices of faith and
values. However, as noble as this space can be, it is fraught with a dangerous
temptation: the desire to be admired more than to be truthful.
Many of us
(including myself), especially those who present religious
or moral content, subconsciously crave the attention, the followers, the likes,
and the applause. We look at our analytics more than our intentions. We check
views more than we check sincerity.
Everyone wants to be a "drum major” leader, a trendsetter, a digital icon. Yet Martin Luther King Jr., in his prophetic “Drum Major Instinct” sermon, reminds us that the true drum major is not the one who walks in front of the band for applause, but the one who leads in service, humility, and justice.
When
God Is Your Audience
For the
believer—especially the one who takes up the cause of religious presentation—the
ultimate audience is not the people, but God Himself.
In the Qur’an,
God commands Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“So do
not obey the disbelievers, but strive against them with the Qur’an a great
striving.”
— Qur’an 25:52
“We are
most knowing of what they say, and you are not over them a tyrant. But remind
with the Qur’an whoever fears My warning.”
— Qur’an 50:45
These
verses lay out a sacred duty: present the truth, through God’s revealed Word,
sincerely and contextually, without being obsessed with popularity or
outcome.
The
Prophet’s mission was not to garner “likes,” but to plant seeds of truth, even
when the crowd turned away. The Qur’an itself tells us that the majority may
not believe (Qur’an 12:103). Yet the call was never to win over the
majority, but to remain faithful to the message.
A Drum
Major for Righteousness
Dr. King
foresaw his death, but wanted no grand epitaph, no mention of his accolades or
prestigious prizes. He wanted to be remembered as someone who tried to love, to
feed the hungry, to stand for justice, to clothe the naked. He wanted to be a
“drum major for righteousness.”
This is
where his vision intersects with Islamic spirituality. The Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) too, emphasized intention over recognition. The famous
Hadith begins:
“Actions
are but by intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to what they
intended.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1
Heaven’s
Metrics
Imagine
this: while we fret over algorithm boosts and trending reels, the angels are
silently recording, tick-marking each act of sincerity. Likes from creation may
disappear in a second. But a single act of truthfulness for God’s sake is eternally
liked by the Creator.
And if
one’s message benefits even a single soul, the Prophet (pbuh) assures that it
is better than the whole world:
“If
Allah guides a person through you, it is better for you than red camels (the
most precious assets).”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
The
Call to a Higher Standard
Let every
Muslim (including myself) who shares, speaks, or preaches today
remember:
God
is watching - Angels are recording - The final platform is the Day of
Judgment, where sincerity will trend above all else. So be a drum
major, yes—but for justice, peace, and righteousness. Not
for fame. Not for followers. Not for fleeting applause.
Let us
reclaim the drum major instinct, not to lead for ego, but to serve for God. If
you're a presenter, influencer, preacher, or writer, present the message, not
your ego. Use your voice, but let the words be God’s. And never forget: the
real recognition is not on YouTube or TikTok, but on the Day of Judgment.
“How many watched me?” But: “Was I sincere before God?”
MPhil Islamic Thought & Civilization (Pakistan)
MSc Irrigation Engineering (UK)
