Fact checking sources and references
| Fatwa #835 | Category: Miscellaneous | Country: Zambia | Date: 26th February 2024 |
| Fatwa #835 | Date: 26th February 2024 |
| Category: Miscellaneous | |
| Country: Zambia | |
Question
Is it obligatory for Muslims to be critical of sources, such as those found on the internet?”
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said,
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ كَذِبًا أَنْ يُحَدِّثَ بِكُلِّ مَا سَمِعَ
Translation: “It suffices for a person to be labelled a liar simply because he narrates everything he hears.” (Muslim-5)
A Muslim should be wary of information from unknown sources. Almighty Allah commands us to always find out what the truth lest we make erroneous judgements based on false information.
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ (الحجرات: 6)
Translation: “O Believers, if a sinner comes to you with some news, then verify its truth first lest you afflict other people out of ignorance then later become regretful over what you have done.”
Therefore, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to know the source of information before passing judgements. This is further emphasised when it comes matters of deen.
Ibn Sireen Rahimahullah said,[1]
إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ فَلْيَنْظُرِ الرَّجُلُ عَمَّنْ يَأْخُذُ دِينَهُ
Translation: “Indeed this knowledge is Deen, so be careful who you take your deen from.”
When it comes to unknown sources and facts, the internet is the motherload of such. Therefore, one should simply take from people and sources he has verified and be wary of anything besides that.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia
[1]سنن الدارمي ت الغمري (ص: 178)
453 – أَخْبَرَنَا عَفَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ: إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ فَلْيَنْظُرِ الرَّجُلُ عَمَّنْ يَأْخُذُ دِينَهُ. [الإتحاف:25145]