Think Before You Share: Qur’anic Guidance on Media and Information Literacy

Occasion of reflecting on this Ayah: 24-31 October: Global Media and Information Literacy Week

Introduction

Islam, as a comprehensive way of life, offers valuable guidance on the media and information literacy. One powerful example is found in the Qur’an, in Surah Al-Isra (17:36), which teaches us not to follow or accept what we do not know and reminds us that we are accountable for our hearing, sight and hearts. This verse offers timeless guidance for navigating today’s digital world with wisdom, honesty and responsibility:

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا

“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.” (The Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra, 17:36)

Educational Messages of This Verse for Teenagers and Youth

1. Don’t Share What You Cannot Verify

Do not share information unless you have good reason to believe it is true.

Practical challenge: Verify one claim before sharing it.

2. Be Careful What You Watch and Hear

Choose content that protects your mind, values and well-being.

Practical challenge: Avoid one harmful or misleading account for a week.

3. Be Careful What You Let into Your Heart

Do not let hatred, envy or prejudice take root in your heart.

Practical challenge: Replace one negative thought with a faithful one.

4. Don’t Judge Too Quickly

Avoid hasty judgements and claims without evidence.

Practical challenge: Before judging someone, ask what evidence you have.

5. Don’t Be Unrealistically Optimistic

Stay hopeful, but recognise risks and prepare for possible difficulties.

Practical challenge: Before a big decision, write down one possible risk.

6. Don’t Believe Every Story

Think critically instead of accepting rumours or unverified claims.

Practical challenge: Check one surprising story before believing it.

7. Stay Calm in Emotional Situations

Strong emotions can lead to harmful words and poor decisions.

Practical challenge: Pause and take three deep breaths before responding in anger.

8. Ask the Right Experts

Seek advice from qualified people in the relevant field.

Practical challenge: Identify a reliable expert before acting on important advice.

9. Make Your Intention Sincere

Act for the sake of Allah, remembering that your intentions matter as well as your words and deeds.

Practical challenge: Before one daily task, renew your intention for Allah’s sake.

10. Take Care of Your Body

Your body is a trust; use it responsibly and protect your health.

Practical challenge: Make one healthy choice today for your body.

11. Respect Others Online

Avoid spreading private information, humiliating images or hurtful comments.

Practical challenge: Remove one post or comment that could hurt someone.

12. Spot Digital Fakes

Fake news, AI-generated images, fake voices and edited videos can mislead you.

Practical challenge: Find one manipulated news, image or video and identify a clue that reveals it.

Educational Messages of This Verse for Parents

1. Nurture Awareness of Accountability to Allah

Help your children understand that Allah knows our actions and that we are accountable to Him.

Practical challenge: Discuss accountability before Allah in a family conversation.

2. Teach Critical Thinking and Media Literacy

Help your children question information, recognise misinformation and verify sources.

Practical challenge: Check one online claim together.

3. Protect Your Children’s Inner Well-being

Take responsibility for what your children watch, hear and absorb emotionally and morally.

Practical challenge: Review one aspect of your child’s media environment together.

4. Never Judge Without Evidence

Avoid accusing your children based on assumptions or unverified reports; build trust through informed and fair decisions.

Practical challenge: Ask your child for their perspective before making a judgement.

5. Guide, Do Not Just Forbid

Help children recognise online risks instead of relying only on restrictions.

Practical challenge: Discuss one online story with your child and check its reliability together.

6. Protect Family Privacy

Teach children to protect personal details, photographs and private conversations.

Practical challenge: Review your family’s privacy settings together.

Educational Messages of This Verse for Imams and Teachers

1. Have the Humility to Say “I Don’t Know”

Intellectual honesty means acknowledging the limits of your knowledge.

Practical challenge: Admit uncertainty openly when you cannot verify an answer.

2. Judge Learners and Audiences Fairly

Avoid assumptions about people’s character, abilities or intentions without sufficient evidence.

Practical challenge: Reconsider one judgement in light of new evidence.

3. Avoid Unsupported Claims

Do not present weakly sourced or unverified information as established fact, especially in religious teaching.

Practical challenge: Verify the source of one quotation before using it.

4. Protect People’s Dignity and Reputation

Teach the community to avoid gossip, false accusations and the unjust damage of others’ reputations.

Practical challenge: In your next lesson or sermon, share one practical way to protect someone’s reputation.

5. Connect the Qur’an with Digital Life

Use Surah Al-Isra (17:36) to teach responsible information sharing.

Practical challenge: Give a short lesson linking this verse to a current example of misinformation.

6. Teach How to Verify

Checking claims is essential, especially when religious rulings or people’s reputations are involved.

Practical challenge: Give your audiences 5 practical techniques on how to analyse a claim.

7. Challenge Prejudice with Evidence

Address sectarian misinformation and anti-Muslim prejudice through knowledge, fairness and respectful dialogue.

Practical challenge: Discuss one prejudicial claim and develop an evidence-based response.

8. Strengthen Community Digital Awareness

Help communities recognise fake religious quotations, online scams and AI-generated impersonations.

Practical challenge: Organise a short activity to identify a fabricated quotation or suspicious message.