How Should I Discuss False Criticism on Social Media?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I was in a group chat with Muslims and non-Muslims, where a Muslim brother shared a viral video of a man saying disgusting false comments about our beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace). Everyone in the text group was upset with this person’s horrible remarks and actions. Still, I do not feel it is okay for a Muslim to share such vile comments in a group chat with Muslims or non-Muslims, as I think it is not appropriate to do so. Is there any validity to this feeling I have as I so much dislike hearing such vile comments, even if it was to share with a group about how disgusting this man making the horrible comments is?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Yes, there is validity to this feeling of yours. However, we, as Muslims, share these types of videos for the same reason. The matter is that we have to be careful. We should highlight the issue instead of sending links or videos so it does not get many likes or start trending on various platforms.
Think Before Sharing
Just like we need to be careful how and when to speak, we must think about when and whether to share. Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) declared: ‘Whoever believes in God and the Last Day, let him speak well or keep quiet.’ [Bukhari; Muslim]
‘A still tongue makes a wise head,’ says one proverb. It has also been said: ‘The wounds of a sword may heal one day; the wounds of the tongue, they never may.’ And then there is this note of caution: ‘Speak when you’re angry, and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.’
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
- The Fiqh of Social Media: SeekersGuidance Critical Issues Seminar – SeekersGuidance
- Social Media Archives – SeekersGuidance
- The Fiqh of Social Media – Critical Issues Seminar – Sh. Faraz Rabbani and Sh. Abdullah Misra – YouTube (Video)
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
