Before accepting and sharing any news, verify it first, so that you do not end up regretting it

Occasion of reflecting on this Verse: 17th of Mordad (8 August), Journalists’ Day

Introduction

The Journalists’ Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of truth, responsibility and careful communication. Long before the modern age of news and social media, the Holy Qur’an taught believers a timeless principle: never accept or spread information without careful verification:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ

“O you who believe! If a rebellious or unreliable person comes to you with news, verify it carefully, lest you harm people out of ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.” (Surah Al-Hujurāt, 49:6)

Educational Messages from This Verse for Teenagers and Youth

1. Don’t Trust Everything Online

Social media is full of false, misleading and manipulated content. Never assume that a post is true just because many people have shared it.

Practical Challenge: Before believing any online claim this week, check it with a reliable source.

2. Protect Your Mind

The less time you spend in unhealthy online spaces, the less likely you are to be influenced by false information.

Practical Challenge: Reduce your social media use by at least 30 minutes a day this week.

3. Strengthen Your Critical Thinking

A wise Muslim asks questions, looks for evidence and thinks carefully before accepting information.

Practical Challenge: When you see surprising news, ask yourself, “What is the evidence?”

4. Raise Awareness

Help your family and friends understand that much of the content shared on social media is not reliable.

Practical Challenge: Talk with one family member or friend this week about the dangers of online misinformation.

5. Every Click Has an Impact

Searching for, liking, commenting on or sharing news can influence others – and it can also shape your own thinking.

Practical Challenge: Before you like or share any news, ask yourself whether it will benefit or harm others.

6. Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated

Before sharing or reacting to news about someone, think: “Would I want others to do this to me?” This simple question can prevent harm and future regret.

Practical Challenge: Make this question your habit before every online action involving news or other people.

7. Don’t Judge People by Rumours

A person’s reputation should never be damaged by unverified stories.

Practical Challenge: If you hear a rumour about someone, choose not to repeat it unless you know it is true.

8. Pause and Ask Four Questions

Before searching for, liking, commenting on or sharing any news, stop and ask yourself: Is it relevant to me? Is there enough evidence that it is true? Would I want others to share this about me? Could it harm someone?

Practical Challenge: Before every news-related action this week, pause for ten seconds and ask yourself these four questions.

9. Build a Reputation for Honesty

People should know you as someone who values truth over popularity.

Practical Challenge: Make a personal promise that you will never share information just to gain attention or likes.

Educational Messages from This Verse for Parents

1. Set Wise Digital Limitations

Because online spaces are filled with misinformation and harmful content, parents should set clear rules and healthy limits for their children’s use of social media.

Practical Challenge: Review your family’s screen time and social media rules together this week.

2. Teach Children to Think Critically

Help your children learn how to question, verify and evaluate news instead of believing everything they see or read online.

Practical Challenge: Choose one online news story this week and practise checking its accuracy together with your child.

3. Improve Your Own Information Literacy

Parents who can recognise reliable information are better prepared to raise children who are thoughtful, responsible and resistant to misinformation.

Practical Challenge: Learn one new fact-checking or information verification skill this week and share it with your family.

4. Avoid Quick Conclusions

Children imitate actions more than words. Parents should investigate situations calmly before blaming or accusing their children.

Practical Challenge: The next time a problem arises at home, hear every side before making a decision.

Educational Messages from This Verse for Imams and Teachers

1. Make Information Literacy a Priority

Include information literacy and critical thinking as regular parts of your teaching and community programmes to help people deal wisely with today’s information challenges.

Practical Challenge: Include one short lesson on information literacy or critical thinking in your next class or sermon.

2. Use Real-Life Examples

Share true stories of individuals or communities who have been harmed by false news to show the real consequences of misinformation.

Practical Challenge: Prepare one real-life example to discuss in your next lesson or khutbah.

3. Teach Practical Verification Skills

Equip your audience with simple techniques for analysing, evaluating and verifying news before they believe or share it.

Practical Challenge: Teach one practical fact-checking method and encourage your audience to use it during the coming week.

4. Protect Community Unity

Unverified information can create unnecessary division and mistrust.

Practical Challenge: Remind your congregation or students to seek clarification before reacting to controversial news.

5. Teach Digital Ethics

Today’s Islamic education should include responsible behaviour on social media.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate five minutes in your next class or khutbah to discussing responsible online communication.

6. Inspire Trust Through Accuracy

Communities respect leaders who speak carefully and rely on verified knowledge.

Practical Challenge: Before quoting any statistic, story or report in your next lesson or sermon, confirm it from a reliable source.

7. Teach the Signs of Hypocrisy

Help your audience recognise modern signs of hypocrisy, such as spreading rumours, lying and sharing unverified information.

Practical Challenge: Discuss one sign of hypocrisy in your next lesson and encourage your audience to avoid it.