In an era where information flows endlessly from countless sources, people find themselves starved of truth. The digital age, heralded as the dawn of unparalleled access to knowledge, has instead become a battleground where fact and falsehood battle for supremacy. The very platforms designed to enlighten us are now flooded with deception, leaving us adrift in a sea of misinformation.
Recent events illustrate this troubling reality. The riots that erupted in parts of the UK in July 2024, fuelled by baseless rumours circulating on social media, show how swiftly false narratives can incite real-world chaos, affecting individuals and families, and straining the bonds of communities. (“Timeline of how online misinformation fuelled UK riots”, www.bbc.co.uk)
As we stand on the cusp of significant political shifts, the stakes are higher than ever. Upcoming elections around the world, notably in the United States, are overshadowed by the spectre of disinformation campaigns aiming to manipulate public opinion. The rise of sophisticated technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes has further muddied the waters. Chatbots generate convincingly fabricated images and videos, making it increasingly difficult to discern truth from illusion.
In the midst of this global war on truth, one might ask: Who can stem this tide of deception? In societies where freedom is often invoked to justify unfettered expression, attempts to curb misinformation frequently collide with arguments for personal liberties. Regulations falter when faced with the sheer volume and velocity of falsehoods proliferating across digital landscapes. It becomes evident that without a unifying moral compass, efforts to combat this crisis are akin to battling shadows.
The answer, profound yet simple, lies in a return to a moral framework anchored in Divine guidance. Only through embracing a higher ethical standard can we hope to navigate these turbulent times. Islam, with its unwavering emphasis on truthfulness, offers a compelling solution to the crisis we face.
The Islamic command of truthfulness
Islam places paramount importance on truthfulness, considering it one of the foundations upon which all virtues stand. No other scripture places as much emphasis on truth as the Holy Quran. It not only repeatedly emphasises the significance of being truthful but also warns against the perils of lying and spreading falsehood. Allah Almighty says:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَکُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِیۡنَ
“O ye who believe! fear Allah and be with the truthful.” (Surah at-Taubah, Ch.9: V.119)
This verse serves as a clear directive for believers to align themselves with truth in all aspects of life. Truthfulness is not merely a moral choice but a divine command that leads to righteousness and piety.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa highlighted the gravity of lying and said:
إِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ، وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ، وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَكْذِبُ، حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَذَّابًا
“Falsehood leads to wickedness [al-fujur], and wickedness leads to the Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-adab, Hadith 6094)
Promised Messiah’sas teachings on truth
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounded on the critical role of truth in spiritual and moral development. He stated:
“Today, the state of the world has become very precarious. From every aspect and in every form, one can observe falsehood: false witnesses are being produced, false cases are being filed, and false certificates are being fabricated. When people speak on certain matters, they twist the truth [to suit their narrative].
“Now, one should ask those who do not recognise the need for this Jamaat whether this was the religion brought by the Holy Prophetsa. Allah the Exalted has declared falsehood to be filth, commanding us to avoid it:
فَاجۡتَنِبُوا الرِّجۡسَ مِنَ الۡاَوۡثَانِ وَاجۡتَنِبُوۡا قَوۡلَ الزُّوۡرِ
“[‘Shun therefore the abomination of idols, and shun all words of untruth.’ (Surah al-Hajj, Ch. 22: V. 31)]. Here, falsehood has been equated with idolatry.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 8, p. 349)
The Promised Messiahas emphasised that lying is a form of spiritual impurity that corrupts the soul and hinders one’s relationship with Allah. By adopting falsehood, individuals create metaphorical idols, relying on deceit rather than placing their trust in God.
Dajjal and modern disinformation
Moreover, the Promised Messiahas has elucidated the concept of Dajjal (the Antichrist) in relation to falsehood and deception. He explained:
“Let it be clear that the word dajjal has been interpreted in two ways: First is that dajjal signifies a group which supports falsehood and works with cunning and deceit. Second is that dajjal is the name of Satan, who is the father of all falsehood and corruption.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, [Haqiqat-ul-Wahi], pp. 393-394)
The Promised Messiahas identified the Dajjal of the Latter Days as representing forces that propagate falsehood on a massive scale, leading people away from truth and righteousness. (Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, pp. 252-253, footnote)
The metaphor of Dajjal as a force of widespread deception is profoundly relevant in the context of today’s disinformation crisis.
As such, it is disheartening that, in the struggle for truth, many who oppose the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat also resort to fabrications and false narratives. By spreading unfounded allegations against the Promised Messiahas, they contribute to the very culture of deceit that endangers societal harmony, serving, knowingly or unknowingly, the forces of Dajjal.
Combatting disinformation: An ethical responsibility
The pervasive spread of falsehood erodes trust, causes personal harm, incites political and social unrest, and destabilises economies by fostering fraud and undermining cooperation.
In the face of these challenges, it becomes imperative for individuals and communities to actively combat the spread of falsehoods. Islamic teachings provide clear guidance on this matter:
- Verification of information: The Holy Quran instructs believers to verify news before accepting or acting upon it:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ جَآءَکُمۡ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَیَّنُوۡۤا اَنۡ تُصِیۡبُوۡا قَوۡمًۢا بِجَہَالَۃٍ فَتُصۡبِحُوۡا عَلٰی مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نٰدِمِیۡنَ
“O ye who believe! if an unrighteous person brings you any news, ascertain [the correctness of the report] fully, lest you harm a people in ignorance, and then become repentant for what you have done.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.7)
- Avoiding rumour-mongering: Spreading unverified information contributes to chaos and discord. Muslims are encouraged to speak only when certain of the truth.
- Promoting truth and justice: Standing firmly for truth and justice, even if it goes against personal interests or those of close relatives, is a core Islamic principle:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا کُوۡنُوۡا قَوّٰمِیۡنَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلّٰہِ وَلَوۡ عَلٰۤی اَنۡفُسِکُمۡ اَوِ الۡوَالِدَیۡنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبِیۡنَ
“O ye who believe! be strict in observing justice, [and be] witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or [against] parents and kindred.” (Surah An-Nisa, Ch. 4: V.136)
The role of technology and media literacy
While technology has facilitated the rapid spread of misinformation, it can also be harnessed to combat it. Developing media literacy skills is crucial:
- Critical evaluation: Individuals should critically assess the sources of information, checking the credibility and expertise of the originators.
- Responsible sharing: Before sharing content, especially on social media, verifying its authenticity can prevent the unintended spread of falsehoods.
- Awareness of biases: Understanding personal biases, helps in evaluating information objectively rather than accepting it.
The path forward
Upholding truth in an age of misinformation is not merely a societal need but a spiritual obligation. By adhering to the principles laid out in Islamic teachings, individuals can contribute to a more truthful and just world. This involves a commitment to personal integrity, responsible consumption and dissemination of information, and active efforts to educate others about the importance of truthfulness.
As Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, has emphasised on numerous occasions, it is incumbent upon us as Ahmadis to lead by example in upholding truth. We can only hope to establish truth in the world if we embody it in our daily lives. The Holy Quran instructs us to speak words that are straight and just – qol-e-sadid – particularly in matters such as matchmaking and marriage. Truth should be the very foundation of trust that binds Ahmadi couples together. Moreover, we must demonstrate to our children through our actions – not merely our words – that we are committed to truthfulness. By cultivating honesty within our homes, we lay the groundwork for peaceful households, which in turn contribute to a harmonious society.
While speaking on the standards of truthfulness expected of Ahmadis, Huzooraa once said:
“Therefore, every Ahmadi […] should also wage a jihad [struggle] against falsehood. Make yourselves so truthful that people around you can never point a finger at you, saying, ‘At such and such a time, you said something in which there was some falsehood.’ Every single word you utter, every thought, and every expression should be filled with truthfulness. An Ahmadi […] should be an exemplar of honesty. The calibre of your truthfulness should impress everyone to such an extent that each person, closing their eyes and without a second thought, trusts your every word. They should not feel the need to consider that you might ever speak untruthfully.” (Address at Jalsa Salana Germany, 27 August 2005, www.youtube.com)