Waris Nissar
“Social media, once seen as a platform for spreading knowledge and awareness, is increasingly turning into a battlefield where Muslims attack one another in the name of religion, often forgetting the values of mercy, wisdom, and humility taught by Islam.”
Social media has become one of the most influential platforms shaping public opinion and religious discourse today. While it has the power to spread knowledge, awareness, and positivity, it is increasingly being misused to fuel hostility, division, and unnecessary confrontation within the Muslim Ummah.
A disturbing trend has become common across social media platforms: scholar-versus-scholar debates, “strong replies,” viral takedowns, and endless videos attacking opposing viewpoints. Instead of promoting wisdom and respectful dialogue, many religious discussions now resemble public battlegrounds driven by ego, mockery, and anger. What should have been a means of guidance has, in many cases, become a source of hatred and division.
Every day, Muslims can be seen attacking fellow Muslims online, questioning one another’s faith, and behaving as though the authority to decide Paradise and Hell rests in human hands. In this atmosphere of hostility, the spirit of brotherhood, compassion, and mutual respect is gradually fading away.
Yet Islam teaches a completely different approach. Prophet Muhammad guided people through mercy, patience, wisdom, humility, and noble character—not insults or humiliation. Even while correcting others, he maintained dignity and compassion. His life remains a timeless reminder that hearts are changed through sincerity and character, not through arrogance and abuse.
Unfortunately, many people today seem more interested in exposing the faults of others than correcting themselves. Religious discussions increasingly appear to be competitions of ego rather than sincere efforts toward reform and understanding. Calling others toward goodness should always be done with wisdom, humility, and respect, because ultimate guidance belongs to Allah alone.
Our responsibility is to improve ourselves and encourage goodness with kindness and sincerity. Whether someone accepts advice or not is between them and Allah. It is not our role to abuse people, force them, or adopt behaviour that itself contradicts the teachings of Islam.
No human being has been given the authority to decide who will enter Paradise and who will be condemned. Such judgments belong solely to Allah. The duty of a believer is to spread goodness, maintain good character, and contribute to unity within the Ummah.
Islam does not even permit insulting followers of other religions, yet today Muslims themselves are increasingly engaged in humiliating and degrading one another online. This stands far removed from the spirit of Islam, which teaches mercy, dignity, and respect in dealing with all people.
It is equally important to recognise that not every scholar or religious speaker promotes hatred and division. Many continue to guide people toward peace, wisdom, understanding, and unity. However, certain voices thrive on sectarianism and hostility, and society must be careful not to become influenced by narratives rooted in hatred and conflict.
The Muslim Ummah was never meant to weaken itself through internal hostility. Differences of opinion may exist, but they should never destroy humanity, dignity, and mutual respect. Communities rise through compassion, understanding, wisdom, and strong moral character—not through insults and division.
At a time when social media amplifies every word, Muslims must remember that character matters as much online as it does offline. A single hateful post may create division, while a single kind word may heal hearts. The need of the hour is not louder arguments but deeper understanding, patience, and unity.
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