FatwaNegeri SembilanSocial & Contemporary Issues
Hukum viral maklumat / berita
What is the ruling on spreading or going viral with information and news?
Short answer
News is classed in three types: news from an honest person is accepted, news from a liar is rejected, and news from a fasiq (transgressor) must be verified.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Soal Jawab Agama
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
News is classed in three types: news from an honest person is accepted, news from a liar is rejected, and news from a fasiq (transgressor) must be verified. Social media users must confirm the authenticity of information before sharing it, for example through the authorities, the news source, official government statements and official websites. Spreading bad news that exposes others' faults is prohibited, including unverified religious rulings or hadith. News on policy and governance should be referred to the ulil amri for confirmation.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Wajib bagi seorang muslim untuk menjauhkan diri daripada menyebarkan berita-berita buruk terutama berita-berita yang memberi aib kepada orang lain dan haram hukumnya berbuat demikian.
Read the full fatwa on the Negeri Sembilan website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department. “Hukum viral maklumat / berita”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/soaljawab/hukum-viral-maklumat-berita/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-viral-information-and-news/