Rumors and baseless news can be viewed from a different perspective: they are often used as a means to spread discord between various social groups. They sow the seeds of enmity, leading to conflicts that may escalate into violence, and the eventual outcome is often seen in the form of killing and destruction. The Qur’an calls all such instances fitnah and fasad (corruption and turmoil). During the time of the Prophet, Jews and hypocrites made every effort to sow discord within the Muslim community, using every tactic at their disposal. They even went as far as distorting the meanings of difficult verses of the Qur’an and mutashabihat (ambiguous verses) in order to mislead people, drive them away from faith, or at least instill doubts in their hearts.

The Qur’an warns that those whose hearts are inclined towards deviation will follow the ambiguous verses to sow fitnah and manipulate the meanings according to their own desires (Aal Imran 3:7).

The Qur’an also emphasizes that fitnah is worse than killing, as the destructive consequences of fitnah are far greater, as it can ruin entire communities (Al-Baqarah 2:191). The Qur’an tells us about Pharaoh, who was full of pride and used his power to create racial divisions among people to rule over them by creating discord. Pharaoh, as stated in the Qur’an, was a corruptor who spread evil by dividing people and oppressing them (Al-Qasas 28:4).

Furthermore, the Qur’an highlights the actions of the hypocrites, who, when told not to spread corruption on the earth, claimed they were reformers. But in reality, they were the ones spreading corruption (Al-Baqarah 2:11-12). The Qur’an tells us that Allah does not like corruption (Al-Baqarah 2:205).

Rumor-mongering is a reprehensible act from an ethical standpoint as well. It involves slander, false accusations, and character assassination, which are considered major sins in Islam. These actions contradict the core ethical values of truthfulness, trust, sincerity, and mutual love. Islam encourages believers to maintain a positive assumption about others, as suspicion and unjust accusations are sinful. The Prophet’s teachings promote good opinions of others, refraining from unjust probing and fault-finding.

Responsibilities in Preventing Rumors

From the above discussion, it is clear that, according to the Qur’an and Sunnah, spreading rumors or publishing baseless news is strictly prohibited. Those involved in such actions are committing a sin and may be subject to disciplinary action. It is the responsibility of both individuals and society at large to prevent the spread of rumors. People should keep an eye on rumor-mongers, refrain from spreading unverified information, and if they come across news that affects the safety of the country or community, they must inform the concerned authorities.

The government also has a crucial role to play, especially in institutions like radio and television. These institutions should work to build public trust, ensuring that people rely on the accurate information they provide. This will discourage the spread of rumors and prevent them from taking root in society.

In conclusion, rumor-mongering is not just a moral wrongdoing but a dangerous social vice that can lead to great harm. The Qur’an, Sunnah, and Islamic ethics guide us to avoid such acts and encourage the spread of truth, unity, and harmony in society.