Character and Manners
The Ruling on Spreading Rumours
A question is raised about people who spread rumours without verification, causing distrust towards scholars and leaders. Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān al-Fawzān cites Qurʾān 4:83, advising Muslims to verify information and refer it to scholars or leaders. He warns that spreading rumours resembles the behaviour of hypocrites.
Question:
Some weak-minded individuals rush to spread rumors without verifying its accuracy, leading to people feeling a certain way towards the leaders and Islamic scholars. And perhaps behind these rumors are enemies of Islam and the Sunnah. So what advice do you have for us?
Shaykh Ṣāliḥ Ibn Fawzān al-Fawzān:
Allāh has answered this in his statement;
“When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the messenger or to those charged with authority over them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and mercy of Allāh upon you, you would have followed shaitan (Satan), save a few of you” [Qur’ân 4:83]
If news of security or fear reaches them, they spread it and disseminate it among people, causing people to fear and panic with this news.
If such news reaches you, do not spread it or disseminate it among people. Instead, verify it and refer it to the scholars and leaders who will solve such matters. Matters concerning knowledge are referred back to the scholars, while matters concerning politics and governance are referred back to the leaders and rulers.
They will solve these problems and extinguish trials and tribulations with Allāh’s permission. Spreading rumors and doubts is the way of hypocrites who scare the Muslims and provide false support to believers. We must be cautious of such actions.
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