There are some actions that seem insignificant at first glance, but their effects go far. For example spreading news without research, that is, a person hears something and spreads it without verifying it. Today’s era of social media has made this task even easier.
This is a very bad thing in the eyes of Allah the Almighty and His Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him).
A blessed hadith is that a person says something and does not think about the impact it will have on the community and the nation if it spreads (how much disbelief, corruption and immorality will spread), due to which he falls into the pit of Hell as far as the distance from the west to the east (Sahih Muslim 8892)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said about such a person who believes in Allah and the Last Day, he should speak good if he opens his mouth, otherwise he should remain silent. Before spreading any false news and rumor, one should think about how far its effects will go.
We keep hearing a lot of news every day and nowadays there is a flood of false and true news due to social media. On Social media, with a single click, unverified and untrue news reaches from one place to another and causes sedition. Reading every news and spreading it without investigating it and not thinking about what harm it may cause in the community is not uncommon for people who spread news and cause discord. For them, Allah says in Surah An-Nisa, verse 83:
“They spread it wherever they hear any news, whether good or bad, but if they had conveyed it to the Messenger and those in authority among their community, it would have reached those among them who are capable of drawing the right conclusion from it. Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah upon you, (your weaknesses were such that) all of you would have followed Satan, except a few.”
There is a clear lesson in this verse that after hearing any news, it is essential to verify it and to avoid discord, it is necessary to verify it with those in authority.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: It is enough for a person to be a liar if he narrates everything he hears (Sahih Muslim). The Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) make it clear that a person who narrates everything he hears without investigating it, commits a lie, and if any problem, dispute, fight, etc. breaks out as a result of this unverified sayings, along with the sin of lying, the blame will be on the speaker. Saying that I heard this from such and such a person does not absolve of his crime because it was his duty to verify the news before spreading it. He should consider the importance of the news and where its effects can go. It is not a reason to destroy someone’s character, tarnish someone’s good name, or promote evil.
It is common in our society that as soon as we hear something, we immediately tell it to others, especially to spread it to the opponents, so that hatred and enmity increase. We are very quick in this. And then, according to one’s mood, everyone marginalizes it according to their own position and everyone plays their role very well. They do not remember how much temptation and sin they are inviting.
Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media have impacted it more rapidly, due to which enmity, hatred, hostility and fights are increasing among people and in the community.
In most places in the Holy Quran and the blessed Hadiths, spreading heard things without research has been prohibited. In Surah Al-Isra verse number 36, it is said that do not follow that of which you do not have certain knowledge, because the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be questioned on the Day of Judgment. This verse of the Holy Quran is a lesson for all of us that this tongue that Allah Almighty has given you is not given to you so that you can spread false rumors through it and accuse people through it and include yourself among the sinners. Rather, it is your duty not to utter anything until it is fully investigated, because its harm and fatal consequences are very great. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever says something that he knows to be false, then he is a liar among the liars.” Now we should always be careful not to spread anything without research, whether we are speaking in a program or in a gathering or answering someone’s questions or writing an article for a magazine or newspaper. We have to adopt a cautious attitude and before writing or speaking anything, we have to make sure that it is in accordance with the Quran and the commandments of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): Have I researched as much as possible that this is authentic news or an authentic statement? Is it not defaming someone? Is it not causing division, hatred and indecency in the community?
All messages on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, or YouTube, etc. are not verified, so we should not forward things without research or cite them. It contains both Islamic and non-Islamic information.
If we are asked about something that we are not aware of, it is not necessary to answer just for our own reputation, it is enough to say that I do not know, and Allah knows best.
The way an incident that took place in a mosque in Surrey was prolonged and then spread rapidly using social media does not in any way represent a conscious, educated, Muslim community. The community was divided into two groups, each contributing in their own way. People used social media unstintingly and instead of trying to resolve it in a positive way in the first stage, this incident was spread incorrectly and negative things were said about both parties.
As we have quoted the verse of Surah An-Nisaa, if an incident occurs and it is left to the responsible parties and they try to resolve it.
Alhamdulillah, in the end, reconciliation was achieved between the two parties, but what did the community gain from this and also think about what effect it would have had on the Muslim community if this news had been put on the mainstream media.
Alhamdulillah, we are Muslims, we have the greatest guidance in the world, the Holy Quran and the Holy Hadith. Before taking any step, think about whether we are doing this by following the teachings of Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In the Quran, Allah Almighty has called us a nation that was brought to prevent evil and spread goodness. Ask yourself, are we playing this role?
We should all consider it our first duty to verify and investigate before spreading anything so that the matter can be resolved at the beginning and reconciliation can be achieved. This act of a person is also very much liked by Allah Almighty and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who brings peace between the two parties. May Allah Almighty grant us all the success in spreading peace and eradicating strife,
May Allah Almighty grant us guidance, Ameen.
Being cautious is not cowardice, it is wisdom. What do you think?
“Waan Laysa Lil Insana illa ma’ sa’aa “ That man can have
nothing but what he strives for.
