The Destructive Storm of "Fake News".

 The Destructive Storm of "Fake News"..

A person in Pakistan, sitting comfortably, spread fake news through social media about the murder of three girls in the UK, falsely identifying a young Muslim man as the killer. This was a complete lie. As a result of this falsehood, riots erupted in the UK, where racists began attacking Pakistanis and other Muslims. Mosques were attacked, and fear loomed over the Muslim community. People feared for their lives, properties were damaged, and various accusations were hurled against Islam, leading to its defamation. Yes, all of this happened because of a single fake news story.

Rumors are deadly poison and a dangerous cancer for any society. Their harmful effects tear apart the bright face of society, leaving it disfigured. The consequences of fake news are numerous and can be understood as follows:

1. Religious Consequences: 

Spreading fake news diminishes a person's faith and labels them as a liar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sternly warned against spreading fake news, false reports, rumors, and hearsay. He said, "It is enough of a lie for a man to narrate everything he hears." (Sahih Muslim: 5)

If this lie is given a "religious touch" and falsehood is spread about Hadiths without proper investigation, the consequences are even more severe. The truthful Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever intentionally lies about me, let him take his seat in Hell." (Sahih Bukhari: 108)

The Hadith in Sahih Bukhari is particularly frightening, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described an incident from the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj): "I saw a man lying on his back, and another man standing over him with an iron hook. He would come to the man lying down and tear his face from one side to the back of his neck, then from the other side, until the face would return to its original state. He would then do the same again and again. I asked Jibreel (Gabriel) about this, and he said: ‘This was a man who used to spread lies that would spread all over the world.’" (Sahih Bukhari: 7047)

Alas! Today, many Muslims are spreading false and fabricated Hadiths in the name of "new information" and to gain followers without any concern for the consequences.

2. Ethical Damages:

When fake news is spread about an individual, group, or nation, their reputation is jeopardized. It becomes extremely difficult for them to hold their head high in society. Every person who hears the fake news starts to harbor suspicions and spreads seeds of hatred. As this hatred expands, moral boundaries break down, and a flood of immorality spreads devastation everywhere. If the person targeted by these rumors decides to retaliate, it can ignite a fire of conflict in society that becomes uncontrollable.

3. Economic Damages:

Fake news can also play a significant role in destroying a country's economy. This is evident from the current situation in our country. When a group protests against a government or individual decision based on false information, estimates, rumors, and fake news, riots can erupt, causing the economy to grind to a halt. The daily wage earners face severe difficulties, and their lives become uncertain.

4.Human Costs:

There is a strange practice in my country where, if there is a difference of opinion, or if someone belongs to an opposing sect, or if there is a desire for revenge but no other way to achieve it, baseless accusations of "blasphemy" are used to incite the public. This leads to the targeted individual being violently murdered by an enraged mob, turning the lives of their entire family into a living hell. Later investigations often reveal a completely different story.

These are the lethal consequences of fake news that lead society to destruction. It is not only the government's responsibility to take measures against it but also each of us must ensure that we verify the news before forming an opinion. We should boycott those who spread fake news, alert the public about those who propagate false Hadiths, and promote the spread of knowledge in society.