By Mohammad younis Bhat (Zahid)
Guidance Regarding Trials, Disputes, and Social Disorder
The Qur’an gives us principles for recognizing and avoiding fitnah, while the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provides practical guidance for dealing with it. The teachings of the Prophet ﷺ show us that fitnah may begin with something very small a careless statement, suspicion, rumor, argument, or false accusation and may eventually develop into hatred, division, and social disorder. Therefore, a Muslim should not only avoid creating fitnah but should also try to stop it, verify information, reconcile people, and promote reform (Islah).
1. The Prophet ﷺ Warned the Ummah About Fitnah
The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ were deeply concerned about fitnah. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman رضي الله عنه was particularly concerned about recognizing evil so that he could protect himself from it. This teaches us an important principle: A believer should learn about the causes and signs of fitnah so that he does not unknowingly become part of it. Understanding fitnah is not an invitation to become suspicious of everyone. Rather, it is a means of protecting our faith, character, family, and society.
2. Hastening Towards Good Deeds Before Fitnah
The Prophet ﷺ warned that there would be trials in which a person could lose his faith and become confused.
In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ described severe trials as being like dark portions of the night. This teaches us that when confusion and disorder spread, a person should strengthen his relationship with Allah, hold firmly to the Qur’an and Sunnah, perform good deeds, and avoid becoming involved in unnecessary disputes.
3. The Tongue Can Become a Source of Fitnah
One of the greatest causes of social problems is the human tongue.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.”
This simple teaching has enormous importance. Many disputes begin because someone says something unnecessary, exaggerates a matter, insults another person, reveals a private matter, or repeats something without checking whether it is true. Therefore: Think before speaking. Verify before repeating. Remain silent when speech may cause harm.
4. A Muslim Must Protect Others From His Tongue and Hands. The Prophet ﷺ taught that a true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe.
This means that Islam does not only concern our personal worship. It also concerns how we treat other people.
A person may pray, fast, and perform many acts of worship, but if he constantly insults people, spreads accusations, creates disputes, or harms others, he must seriously examine his conduct. A Muslim should be a source of peace, safety, and goodness not fear and conflict.
5. Tale-Bearing (Namimah) Can Create Fitnah Namimah means carrying statements from one person to another in a manner that causes disagreement or hostility. For example, someone may say: “Do you know what he said about you?”
Then he carries another person's words to someone else, adds his own interpretation, and creates anger between them. Such behavior can destroy friendships, marriages, families, and communities.
The Prophet ﷺ strongly warned against namimah. Therefore, we should not become messengers of conflict. If a statement will only create hatred and has no legitimate benefit, it should not be carried from one person to another.
6. Backbiting is Another Door to Fitnah
Allah says in the Qur’an: “And do not backbite one another.” (Qur’an 49:12) Allah then gives a powerful example by comparing backbiting to eating the flesh of one's dead brother. Backbiting may appear to be an ordinary conversation, but it can have serious consequences. A person may say:
“I am only telling the truth.”
“Everyone already knows this.”
“I am just explaining what happened.”
But if a person's absence is used to discuss something he would dislike, it can become backbiting. When backbiting spreads, it creates suspicion and damages relationships. It can therefore become a doorway to larger social problems.
7. Avoid Suspicion
The Prophet ﷺ warned Muslims against excessive suspicion.
Suspicion can develop like this:
A small doubt → negative thinking → assumption → accusation → argument → hatred Sometimes a person does not even know the facts, yet he creates a complete story in his mind.
Islam teaches us to verify matters rather than build conclusions upon assumptions. Before judging someone, ask: Do I actually know the facts?
Have I heard the matter from a reliable source? Could there be another explanation? This attitude can prevent many conflicts.
8. Reconciliation is Better Than Increasing Conflict
Islam strongly encourages reconciliation between people.
When two Muslims have a disagreement, our responsibility should not be to make the dispute bigger.
Instead, we should try to bring people together through wisdom, fairness, patience, and sincere advice.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the great virtue of reconciling people.
Therefore, if we can reduce hatred and restore peace, we should consider that an important act of goodness.
9. Reform, Not Escalation When a dispute begins, there are two possible directions: Escalation: Argument → anger → insults → accusations → revenge → further conflict.
Reform: Understanding → verification → patience → dialogue → forgiveness → reconciliation. A believer should try to choose the second path. Our purpose should not be to prove that we are stronger or that the other person is wrong. Our purpose should be to find the truth and prevent harm.
10. Patience During Times of Fitnah
During difficult times, emotions can become very strong. People may become angry quickly, share information without checking it, and make decisions that they later regret.
Patience is therefore essential.
A person should pause before reacting and ask: “Will my response solve the problem, or will it make the problem worse?” Sometimes remaining silent for a short time prevents a conflict that could otherwise continue for years.
11. Social Media and Modern Fitnah
Today, fitnah can spread much faster than in the past. A message can reach thousands of people within minutes.
Examples include: False WhatsApp messages Unverified news
Edited videos Old photographs presented as new Incomplete quotations False religious statements
Accusations against individuals
Emotionally charged posts
Statements taken out of context
The fact that something appears on a mobile phone does not mean that it is true. Before forwarding anything, ask three questions: 1. Is this information true? 2. What is the reliable source?
3. Will forwarding it create benefit or harm? If you cannot answer these questions, it is safer not to forward it.
12. Religious Disagreement Should Be Handled With Wisdom Not every disagreement is fitnah.
There can be legitimate differences of scholarly opinion in matters where recognized scholars have differed.
The problem begins when disagreement turns into: Insults
Hatred False accusations
Personal attacks Mockery Unverified claims Encouragement of hostility
Breaking family and community relationships, A Muslim should therefore learn to distinguish between difference of opinion and destructive conflict. Where a religious question is complex, it is better to consult qualified and trustworthy scholars rather than relying on social media arguments.
13. Five Steps When You Receive Potentially Harmful Information
When you receive information that may create conflict: Step 1 STOP.
Do not immediately forward or publish it. Step 2 VERIFY. Check whether it is actually TRUE. Step 3 THINK.
Consider the possible consequences.
Step 4 CONSULT. If the matter is religious, legal, or complicated, ask a qualified person. Step 5 CHOOSES ISLAH. Always prefer the path that brings truth, justice, peace, and reconciliation. 14. Our Intention Must Be Correct Sometimes people enter arguments with the intention of defeating another person. A believer should instead seek the truth. The correct attitude is: “I want to know what is right, even if I have made a mistake.” This attitude protects a person from arrogance and unnecessary conflict. The goal of Islamic knowledge should be guidance and reform, not winning arguments or humiliating others. 15. True Success During Fitnah During times of fitnah, true success is not simply being the loudest person or having the largest audience. True success is to:
Protect one's faith. Avoid injustice.
Protect people's honor. Avoid spreading false information. Control the tongue.
Avoid unnecessary arguments.
Seek reliable knowledge. Reconcile people where possible. Promote goodness. Remember accountability before Allah. Every person should ask himself: “Am I becoming a cause of fitnah, or am I becoming a means of ending it?”
The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ give us a clear path for protecting ourselves and society from fitnah. We should control our speech, avoid backbiting and tale-bearing, stay away from unnecessary suspicion, verify information, use social media responsibly, seek knowledge from reliable sources, and work toward reconciliation. The greatest achievement is not to spread a problem further. The greater achievement is to stop the problem and bring people toward truth and peace. Let us therefore make a personal commitment:
“I will not become a source of fitnah. I will verify before forwarding, think before speaking, seek truth before judging, and choose Islah whenever possible.” Fitnah should not be our mission. Reform, peace, truth, and righteousness should be our mission.
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