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ISSN (Online): 2664-4398

ISSN (Print): 2664-438X

Al-Qamar,Volume9,Issue2(April-June2026)

Digital Misbehavior and Unethical Speech: Guidance from the

Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH)

Dr. Shehbaz Shabbir.

Lecturer, Institute of Islamic Studies, Mirpur University of Science

andTechnology (MUST), Mirpur AJK.

Ayesha Mahmood

M Phil. Scholar, Institute of Islamic Studies, Mirpur University of

Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK.

M Phil. Scholar, Institute of Islamic Studies, Mirpur University of

Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK

In the contemporary digital era, social media has revolutionized human

communication by allowing individuals to express opinions, share

experiences, and engage with a global audience in real-time. However,

this ease of access and freedom of speech has also opened doors to

various forms of unethical and harmful communication, including

negative comments, personal insults, slandering, backbiting, and

character assassination. These digital behaviors, while normalized in

many online spaces, pose serious moral and spiritual challenges,

especially within the Muslim community.

The proliferation of social media has redefined human interaction,

offering a powerful platform for communication and expression.

However, this digital liberty has also facilitated the spread of unethical

discourse, including negative comments, personal attacks, slander, and

misinformation. This paper explores these phenomena from an Islamic

ethical framework, rooted in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It aims to

answer the fundamental research question: What guidance does Islam

provide regarding the ethical use of speech and interaction in digital

environments such as social media? By analyzing classical Islamic

teachings on speech, manners (adab), and social responsibility, the

study critiques the rising culture of verbal aggression in online spaces.

The paper also outlines the types of negative behaviors common on

social media and contrasts them with prophetic models of

communication. Ultimately, it offers practical recommendations for

Muslims to uphold integrity, avoid harm, and embody Islamic values

in their digital conduct,Key words: Islamic ethics; social media; negative

comments; online behavior; Qur’anic communication principles

(social comparison)

Sharma et.al (2020)

of Social Media on Mental Health :A systematic Review

Kowalski, Limber & ،

Cyber bullying : Bullying in the Digital Age

Agatston (2012)

Social Media and Self ،Social Comparison

Vogel .et al(2014)

Patchin & Hinduja (2016)

(, anonymity

Cyber bullying Research

)Duggan et al.(2017

Dr. Yasir Qadhi (2018)

"Hobbies, and Social Media Hysteria"

(Collective Moral

Responsibility)

(methodological)

(implementation)

non-confrontational

context-sensitive ، evidence-based

(maqasid al-shariah)

(reformative discourse) "

(emotional intelligence)

disinformation ، misinformation

27

"

د

Preventive Level

Corrective Level

(Digital Literacy)

30

ن

، misinformation

disinformation

(Preventive Level):

(Corrective Level):

( polarized discourse

( intra-community cohesion

(positive digital

diversity of opinion

identity-based hostility

constructive dialogue

(Self-Regulation)

(self-accountability)

ethical self-regulation

ethical filtering

(emotional impulsivity)

self-censorship

( "Digital Taqwa"

leadership structures

moral influencers

(moral sensitivity)

(critical thinking)

digital ethics education

constructive platform

destructive space

multi-dimensional

ethical framework

“Digital Adab Framework”

Communication Model”

، (civility)

، (verification)

، (self-control)

،(harm avoidance)

(collective responsibility)

،speech/silence)

(defamation)

harassment/cyberbullying(

475–471 :)2020( 5 .

Sharma, Manoj Kumar, Nisha John, and Maya Sahu. "Influence of Social Media on

Mental Health: A Systematic Review." Current Opinion in Psychiatry 33, no. 5 (2020):

Kowalski, Robin M., Susan P. Limber, and Patricia W. Agatston. Cyber Bullying: Bullying

in the Digital Age. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.

222–206 :)2014( 4

Vogel, Erin A., Jason P. Rose, Lindsay R. Roberts, and Katheryn Eckles. "Social

Comparison, Social Media, and Self-Esteem." Psychology of Popular Media Culture 3, no.

4 (2014): 206–222.

Patchin, Justin W., and Sameer Hinduja. Cyberbullying Prevention and Response: Expert

Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2016.

Duggan, Maeve. Online Harassment 2017. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center,

Yasir Qadhi, “Podcast w/ Sultans and Sneakers: Habits, Hobbies and Social Media

Hysteria,” YouTube video, January 27, 2024, YouTube,

Surah Al-Hujurat 49:6

Surah Al-Hujurat 49:11

Imam muslim, muslil ben hajaaj, Sahih Muslim (Al-Musnad al-Sahih), Hadith No. 47

from The Book of Faith (Kitab al-Iman).

Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (Vol. 11, p. 194, Hadith No. 6621)

Monthly Darul Uloom, Issue No. 4, Volume: 90, Rabi' al-Awwal 1427 AH / April 2006

Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail, Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Book of the Elderly, Chapter:

The elder begins speaking and asking, Hadith No. 359.

Surah Al 'Imran 3:134

Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail, Al-Jami' al-Sahih, Hadith No: 6138

Surah Al-Furqan: 63

Al-Humaydi, Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr ibn Isa (d. 219 AH), Musnad Al-

Humaydi, Vol. 1, p. 163, Hadith No: 28

Surah Al-Hujurat: 6

Surah Al-Hujurat: 11

Surah Al-Hujurat: 12

Al-Qushayri, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Al-Musnad al-Sahih, Chapter:TheVirtue of Kindness

(Fadl al-Rifq), Vol. 8, p. 22, Hadith No: 2594

Ma'mar ibn Rashid al-Azdi, Al-Jami', Chapter: Anger and Wrath and What Has Been

Narrated Regarding Them (Al-Ghadab wa al-Ghayz wa Ma Jaa Fihi), Vol. 11, p. 188,

Hadith No: 20287

Surah Al-Nahl: 125

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Harun al-Ruyani (d. 307 AH), Musnad al-Ruyani, Muassasat

Qurtubah – Cairo, Vol. 2, p. 279, Hadith No: 1200

Surah Al 'Imran: 134

Surah Al-Ma'idah: 2

Surah Al 'Imran: 110

Surah Al-Baqarah: 205

Surah Al-Rum: 41

Surah Al-Qasas: 77

Surah Al-Hujurat: 6

Surah An-Nahl: 21

Al-Qazwini, Abu Abdullah MuhammadYazid Ibn Majah al-Rabbai, Sunan Ibn Majah, p.

897, Hadith Number: 4297