OPEN ACCESS S

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

Sharma et.al

Influence of Social Media on Mental Health :A systematic

ski, Limber & Agatston (2012) ،ꢀ

ullying : Bullying in the Digital Age

ꢀꢀSocial Media and Self Esteemꢀ،Social Comparison ꢀ

.et al(2014)

bullying Researchꢀ

atchin & Hinduja (2016)

gꢀ)gan et al.(2017ꢀ

ꢀꢀ"Habits, Hobbies, and Social Media Hysteria"،ꢀ

sir Qadhi (2018)

llective Moral Responsibility)

(implementation)

context-sensitive ꢀ، evidence-based

(maqasid al-

e discourse) "

disinformation ꢀ، misinformation

l ꢀLiteracy)

disinformation ꢀ، misinformation

(munity cohesion

al ecosystem)

iversity of opinion

y-based hostility

structive dialogue

(Self-Regulation)

regulation ꢀ

ethical filtering

otional impulsivity)

self-censorship

DigitalTaqwa"

oral sensitivity)

cal thinking)

ive platform

destructive space

ulti-dimensional

“Digital Adab Framework” ꢒꢀ ،ꢂ

phetic Communication Model”

eꢀ،rification)

ꢀ، (beneficial speech/silence)

ꢚ/ꢝꢀ(،self-control)

(collective responsibility)

(defamation)

assment/cyberbullying(

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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.

222–222 :)2274( 4ꢀ

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

Hysteria,” YouTube video, January 22, 2222, 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).

ꢀ247 - 724(ꢀ

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