Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam
Picture this: a young person scrolling through their phone, landing upon a viral video that promises instant results: “Drink this and lose belly fat in a week.” The person in the video speaks confidently, quoting random “studies” and showing before-and-after results. It looks convincing. They share it with their friends, who then share it again. Within hours, thousands have watched and believed it.
Sounds harmless right? Not quite. This is how misinformation spreads: fast, unchecked, and persuasive. In a world where anyone can speak like an expert, fact-checking has become our first line of defence.
Ask yourself, how quickly do we share something? How fast do we accept and spread information that seems convincing but is actually completely unchecked? This is exactly how misinformation spreads.
Whether it concerns health, money, or politics, unchecked information undermines trust and erodes the foundations of a healthy society. Rumours are just that, rumours. They spread like wildfire and can burn through everything in their path.
In China, a new rule means influencers must now be formally qualified before they can speak on professional subjects. “China has passed a sweeping new influencer law requiring anyone discussing health, law, education, or finance online to hold a verified academic degree or professional licence.” (“China Censors Online Freedom? New Influencer Law Demands Degrees to Discuss Health, Law, Finance”, www.ibtimes.co.uk, 28 October 2025)
Effective since 25 October, this new law was implemented by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). Now, platforms are required to verify influencer credentials and flag unqualified content, in an attempt to lower the spread of misinformation. Some view it as a move towards accountability, while others see it as censorship that may restrict creative expression.
Regardless of how it is perceived, the fact remains: misinformation, regardless of its form or subject, undermines moral integrity and erodes the very foundation of a healthy, functioning society.
However, what can one do to combat this? Is the solution to enforce such a law, or is there another alternative? Is China the first country to recognise the spread of misinformation as a threat to social stability?
For Muslims, the answer is clear. In fact, Islam addressed these issues long before “going viral” was a thing and actually implemented practical measures and responses. The following three verses from the Quran provide how Islam tackled these issues long before digital media.
Where to turn when uncertain?
Islam makes this clear: When unsure about something, we are encouraged to seek guidance from knowledgeable people. The Quran says:
فَسۡـَٔلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
“Ask those who possess the Reminder, if you know not.” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch.16: V. 44)
Sounds simple. Let’s understand the context of this verse, and then we will look at the lesson it teaches us.
A common objection raised by the people of that time was: Why did God send a human as a messenger? Why not an angel? In the verse above, Allah responds clearly to that objection by stating that all previous messengers, such as Noahas, Abrahamas, Mosesas and Jesusas, were also human beings, not angels.
God further states that if this matter is doubtful to you, then ask those who possess the knowledge and remember history. It’s as if God is saying, “Look at history; see how divine guidance was revealed before. Ask those who possess that historical knowledge.”
The lesson is to actively seek out people who have expertise, who know and can demonstrate it. This allows one to bypass the noise and access a reliable source of knowledge. Ultimately, it’s about promoting accuracy.
The lesson is, with regard to information, clear: when we are uncertain about something, we should ask those who have knowledge, understanding and a clear grasp of the matter at hand.
Evidently, the purpose of this approach is to promote consuming accurate information whilst upholding truth and the welfare of society.
Thus, the first lesson: Know where to turn when uncertain.
Don’t act on uncertainty
The second lesson. The Quran reminds us:
وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَیۡسَ لَکَ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ
“And follow not that of which thou hast no knowledge.” (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.37)
This verse is clear, and the lesson it conveys is even clearer and more profound. It truly appeals to logic and common sense.
It would be foolish to follow something about which one has no knowledge. That would be akin to walking in the dark or wearing a blindfold; how could one even trust themselves in such a state? The message here is clear: we are taught not to blindly believe in or act upon anything unless we are certain it is true or if the source is credible.
This also means that if one has no knowledge of a matter, they must not claim to know it, nor should they spread it. Rumours and false information give rise to misconceptions and can lead to dangerous and misguided ideas in the minds of people.
Therefore, when encountering information whose validity is uncertain, one should first research and verify its accuracy. Only after this process can one determine whether the knowledge gained is reliable and worth applying in one’s life. And this leads me on to the third verse.
The duty of verification
Now, while we understand that one must not spread misinformation, the Quran recognises that certain people may still spread false reports that are circulated. Hence, the Quran also reminds us that it is a Muslim’s duty to verify any reports that reach them. The Quran is clear on this:
“O ye who believe! if an unrighteous person brings you any news, ascertain [the correctness of the report] fully,” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.7)
When we consider the context of this verse, we begin to truly understand the duty and responsibility of verifying reports.
This chapter was revealed after the conquest of Mecca. Most of Arabia had already accepted Islam; however, some tribes still opposed and were determined to fight the Muslims to the end. Conflict seemed unavoidable. Even at such a time, guidance was revealed that even during the urgent circumstances of war, when quick action might be needed to counter an enemy’s move, Muslims are instructed not to accept rumours at face value. Instead, such reports, which are common in times of conflict, must be carefully verified before any action is taken.
Now, if this is the criterion for such times of hardship and war, one can only imagine what it would be and the responsibility of this in peace time.
Conclusion
Thus, let’s bring this back to the comparison we started with. China’s modern solution is external and top-down, meaning that it regulates the speaker and controls the source. In contrast, Islam offers a timeless, bottom-up framework, which is enforced through individual duty.
Both recognise that misinformation is a threat. One approach relies on institutions to pre-filter content, essentially saying, “Only properly trained firefighters can handle the hose,” which makes sense from a certain perspective.
The other “system”, Islam, demands that every individual should take due diligence to ensure that safety standards are such that the chances of a fire (of misinformation) erupting in the first place are mitigated. This is done by taking personal responsibility: a duty to verify, the patience to pause before reacting, and the humility to refrain from speaking when they do not know. In other words, the fire won’t even exist with you, the recipient, if you act responsibly.
Today, many people, especially in the West, misunderstand Islam and its sharia, considering it to be overly strict or restrictive. In reality, it is designed to protect people and guide them toward the best outcomes. Just as Islam emphasises verifying information, seeking knowledge before acting, and avoiding baseless suspicion, the Islamic way of life is meant to safeguard life and promote social harmony.
So, as China implements this law, only time will tell how effective it will be in achieving its intended goals. Because rumours do indeed spread like wildfire, and wildfire requires careful hands to control it.