In the name of Allah,

The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful

Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Resolution No. 244 (6/25)

Sharia Rulings and Standards on Social Media and Dissemination of Information and News for Denunciation, Spreading Rumors, or Abuse

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its 25th session in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 29 Rajab – 3 Shaaban 1444H (20-23 February 2023),

Having considered the Academy’s Resolution no. 52 (3/6) on the Conclusion of Contracts by Modern Means of Communication,

Having examined the research papers submitted to the Academy concerning Sharia Rulings and Standards on Social Media and Dissemination of Information and News for Denunciation, Spreading Rumors, or Abuse,

Having listened to the discussions and deliberations of the Academy’s members and experts,

Resolves

First: Social media networks refer to a digital network system that allows subscribers to create their own web pages and connect with other subscribers via an electronic social system. Social media, on the other hand, refers to the media content of a personal type that is transferred between multiple parties via a social network, with the freedom to send and reply. These include, but are not limited to, Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, and any others that exist presently or may emerge in the future.

Second: It is prohibited to transfer, disseminate, publish, record, and store any kind of Sharia-illicit materials or corrupt content using these or other means. It is also prohibited to spread fake news, rumors, and anything else that harms the society’s security, stability, and purity of their religion, creed, and morals.

Third: The denunciation of evils via social media networks should adhere to the conditions established by Islamic scholars for the denunciation of vice, such as ensuring that public good is clearly achieved by denouncing it, the denunciation of an evil should not lead to a greater evil, and it should not encroach the ruler’s (government’s) authority on such matters.

Recommendations

• Including in schools’ curricula the Sharia standards to observe when using different types of social media networks so that young generations can distinguish between right and wrong.
• Refraining from using these means when driving vehicles and performing certain acts of worship such as tawaf, due to the distraction involved, as well as being a cause leading to contempt, arrogance, and hypocrisy, which affect the perfection of worship.

Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing.