When a person stands before a mirror, they see their own face. But when they sit before a social-media screen, they often create a version of themselves that does not actually exist.
This is one of the strange contradictions of the digital age. Our pictures appear more beautiful than reality, our lives appear more prosperous than they actually are, and sometimes our words appear more pure and righteous than our real character.
The question is: Where does truth stand in this artificial world?
Falsehood is no longer limited to what is spoken by the tongue. Fake images, manipulated videos, altered voices, fabricated identities, false news, and half-truths have all become new gateways to deception.
Changing someone’s photograph and placing them somewhere they have never been, using AI to manipulate someone’s voice and attribute words to them that they never said, or connecting an old video to a completely new incident—these are all ways in which reality can be distorted.
The Holy Qur’an says:
﴾وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ﴿
Translation:
“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.”
Surah Bani Isra’il, Part 15, Ayah 36
This verse teaches us not only to be careful about what we say, but also about what we claim, transmit, and pass on to others.
Another Dangerous Form: Half-Truths
Another dangerous form of deception is the half-truth.
Sometimes a person does not actually tell a direct lie, but shows only that part of the truth which creates the desired impression.
A photograph may be genuine, but its background is deliberately hidden.
A statement may really have been made, but the words spoken before and after it are removed.
In this way, a false impression is constructed from fragments of truth.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the person who behaves with two faces:
“You will find among the worst of people the one who has two faces: he comes to these people with one face and to those people with another face.”
Sahih Muslim, Book of Righteousness and Maintaining Good Relations, Chapter: The Condemnation of the Two-Faced Person and the Prohibition of His Conduct, Hadith 2625
Truthfulness does not merely mean that we say one thing to one person and something else to another. True honesty also means that we must not deliberately present a reality in such a way that the person seeing or hearing it is deceived.
When Media Becomes a Tool for Character Assassination
In today’s world, social media and print media are sometimes used not to present facts, but to damage someone’s reputation.
Through mere allegations, incomplete information, and baseless reports, attempts are made to harm a person’s honour and reputation.
Sadly, statements circulated without investigation or verification can tarnish years of someone’s hard work and good reputation within moments.
Remember: spreading a piece of news is easy, but restoring someone’s honour can be extremely difficult.
The true responsibility of journalism is not character assassination; rather, it is to stand with justice through the presentation and examination of facts.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen.
Instead of concealing the faults of a Muslim, some people expose and publicly disgrace them—particularly religious scholars and personalities—even when they have not committed the alleged wrongdoing.
Then, in some cases, they may attempt to blackmail them, demand money from them, or threaten them.
What answer will such people give to Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment?
Remember: hurting the feelings and honour of a Muslim is not merely a matter of social harm; it is also a matter that can invite the displeasure of Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
Allah Almighty says in His Holy Book:
﴾وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُبِينًا﴿
Translation:
“And those who harm believing men and believing women without them having done anything, have certainly burdened themselves with slander and clear sin.”
Surah Al-Ahzab, Part 22, Ayah 57
Regarding the person who causes harm to a Muslim, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever harms a Muslim without a legitimate Shar‘i reason has harmed me, and whoever harms me has harmed Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.”
Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, Hadith 3607
In the Digital World, Words Travel Through More Than the Tongue
Today, a “word” does not leave us only through the tongue.
It can come through our fingers, through a keyboard, through an image, and with a single click it can spread across the entire world.
Therefore, truthfulness in the digital world does not simply mean that we should refrain from telling lies.
It also means that we should:
- not manufacture falsehood,
- not spread false information,
- not distort reality,
- and not attribute to another person words that they never said.
Those who fabricate stories, spread baseless reports, damage people’s reputations, and circulate rumours should remember the command of Allah Almighty:
﴾إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ﴿
Translation:
“Indeed, those who love for immorality to spread among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter.”
Surah An-Nur, Part 18, Ayah 19
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to protect one another’s honour.
It is precisely this awareness that can make a person a guardian of truth even in the digital world.
For Further Guidance
For more information on this subject, readers are encouraged to study the renowned booklet “Questions and Answers About News” by Qibla Shaykh-e-Tariqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Hazrat Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri Razavi Zia’i, دامت برکاتہم العالیہ.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to understand these matters and act upon them.
Ameen, for the sake of the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
A Humble Request
After reading this article, please share it with other groups, friends, and family members so that awareness of truthfulness, responsibility, and the protection of people’s honour may spread.
