The Era of Trials and Our Responsibilities: From Political Mirage to the Reality of Faith
✍️ Muhammad Suleman Qureshi
1. The Art of Propaganda and Psychological Tactics
Fake News is not just incorrect information; it is a psychological weapon. The following organized methods are at play behind it:
Context Switching:
✍️ Muhammad Suleman Qureshi
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Today, we are living in a turbulent era where the voice of truth has been suppressed by noise and clamor. While this flood of technology has erased distances, it has also enslaved human minds through "Information Warfare." In a multifaceted society like India, where IT cells and specific media houses (Godi Media) are fueling the furnace of propaganda day and night, distinguishing between truth and falsehood has become like bringing milk from a lion for the average person.1. The Art of Propaganda and Psychological Tactics
Fake News is not just incorrect information; it is a psychological weapon. The following organized methods are at play behind it:
Context Switching:
Cutting and editing an old video or image and linking it to a new and sensitive event.
Emotional Incitement: Creating headlines and narratives that paralyze a person's intellect and make them emotional, because an emotional person forgets to investigate.
Example of Covid-19:
Emotional Incitement: Creating headlines and narratives that paralyze a person's intellect and make them emotional, because an emotional person forgets to investigate.
Example of Covid-19:
During the pandemic, we saw how hatred was sown in society by giving the disease a religious color. This was the worst form of propaganda where political agendas were given more importance than human lives.
2. The Scale of Truth: In the Light of the Quran and Hadith
For a Muslim, the "scale" in the matter of any news or information is the teachings of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Quranic Principle (Investigation): Allah Almighty says: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful." (Surat Al-Hujurat, Verse 6). This verse teaches us that believing hearsay leads to "ignorance" and "regret."
Prophetic Guidance (Caution): The Holy Prophet ﷺ has declared the one who narrates every hearsay without investigation as a "liar." (Sahih Muslim) Today's 'share' or 'forward' puts us in the same category of warning.
3. Political Advocacy: A Futile Pursuit
A major tragedy of the present era is that a large number of Muslims are spending their precious time defending those political parties (such as Congress or other regional parties) whose sole aim is power.
Identity Confusion: We have linked our survival to the success of political parties, while in reality, parties are convinced of their own interests.
Waste of Time: Engaging in fights on social media for the political agenda of others is not only futile but also distracts us from our real responsibilities.
2. The Scale of Truth: In the Light of the Quran and Hadith
For a Muslim, the "scale" in the matter of any news or information is the teachings of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Quranic Principle (Investigation): Allah Almighty says: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful." (Surat Al-Hujurat, Verse 6). This verse teaches us that believing hearsay leads to "ignorance" and "regret."
Prophetic Guidance (Caution): The Holy Prophet ﷺ has declared the one who narrates every hearsay without investigation as a "liar." (Sahih Muslim) Today's 'share' or 'forward' puts us in the same category of warning.
3. Political Advocacy: A Futile Pursuit
A major tragedy of the present era is that a large number of Muslims are spending their precious time defending those political parties (such as Congress or other regional parties) whose sole aim is power.
Identity Confusion: We have linked our survival to the success of political parties, while in reality, parties are convinced of their own interests.
Waste of Time: Engaging in fights on social media for the political agenda of others is not only futile but also distracts us from our real responsibilities.
4. The Real Priority: Nurturing Faith and Morality
We must accept the fact that our real power lies not in the seats of Parliament, but in our faith and morality.
Qoo Anfusakum (Worry about yourselves): The Holy Quran commands us to first save ourselves and our families from the fire of Hell. Are we destroying the religious atmosphere of our homes while saving the politics of others?
Upbringing of Children: The focus of our discussions should be the education of our children, their moral training, and their bright future, instead of Rahul Gandhi or Modi Ji.
5. Remedy and Action Plan
To avoid this trial, it is necessary to follow the following points:
Digital Discipline: Use social media only to the extent necessary and completely avoid political discussions.
Process of Investigation: Before spreading any viral news, verify it from 'fact check' websites (e.g., Alt News).
Positive Activities: Spend your time in acquiring knowledge, economic stability, and public welfare works.
The Virtue of Silence: When trials become common, silence of the tongue and pen is the best strategy.
Politicians are playing their game, the media is doing its business, but we will be held accountable for the moments of our lives. Instead of becoming a "free lawyer" for others, we should worry about becoming a "true servant" of Allah. When our character is strong and our morals are high, every propaganda of falsehood will automatically die down.
We must accept the fact that our real power lies not in the seats of Parliament, but in our faith and morality.
Qoo Anfusakum (Worry about yourselves): The Holy Quran commands us to first save ourselves and our families from the fire of Hell. Are we destroying the religious atmosphere of our homes while saving the politics of others?
Upbringing of Children: The focus of our discussions should be the education of our children, their moral training, and their bright future, instead of Rahul Gandhi or Modi Ji.
5. Remedy and Action Plan
To avoid this trial, it is necessary to follow the following points:
Digital Discipline: Use social media only to the extent necessary and completely avoid political discussions.
Process of Investigation: Before spreading any viral news, verify it from 'fact check' websites (e.g., Alt News).
Positive Activities: Spend your time in acquiring knowledge, economic stability, and public welfare works.
The Virtue of Silence: When trials become common, silence of the tongue and pen is the best strategy.
Politicians are playing their game, the media is doing its business, but we will be held accountable for the moments of our lives. Instead of becoming a "free lawyer" for others, we should worry about becoming a "true servant" of Allah. When our character is strong and our morals are high, every propaganda of falsehood will automatically die down.
