The Ruling on Dealing with Hostile Channels and Spreading Rumors
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
This is a question asking: What is Your Eminence’s opinion regarding what some hostile, malicious channels broadcast and claim, foremost among them being what is called Al-Jazeera channel? And what is required of us regarding these rumors they spread, which reveal malice, hatred, enmity, and envy toward the people of this land?
The Shaykh:
This is not strange from the people of falsehood that they band together against the people of truth and the call to truth, and spread rumors and fabrications. What did they do during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
Especially during the Battle of the Confederates, where the Confederates gathered against the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) from various tribes, intending to obliterate this religion and suppress this call. They besieged the Muslims in Madinah until Allah relieved the Muslims. They were patient until Allah relieved them, so He sent a wind that overturned the pots of the people of falsehood and the invaders, uprooted their tents and stakes, and sent angels to cast terror into their hearts. So they departed disappointed.[Al-Ahzab 33:25] So what harm can any Satan or any enemy do to the Muslims if they hold fast to their religion and give sincere advice to Allah and His Messenger?
If there is harm in this world, it will pass, but they will have the good ending and the reward with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Otherwise, the prevailing outcome is that Allah will support them in this world and the Hereafter. Yes. Thank Allah for Your Eminence.
The questioner:
But what is the stance toward such channels? Does a person follow them, watch them, and believe what they broadcast? Or does he leave them alone and seek what promotes good and the call to unity and love?
The Shaykh:
This depends on what a person does toward them. If he listens to and watches them, and does not resist them, does not warn against them, and does not… then this is absolutely not permissible. Remaining silent about falsehood is not permissible, and he should not leave it open before him. But if he follows them in order to refute them, clarify what is in them, and warn against them, then this is the right thing, and cowardice before them is not permissible. Rather, courage is obligatory before them, and refuting their scheme. Yes.
This is a question asking: What is Your Eminence’s opinion regarding what some hostile, malicious channels broadcast and claim, foremost among them being what is called Al-Jazeera channel? And what is required of us regarding these rumors they spread, which reveal malice, hatred, enmity, and envy toward the people of this land?
The Shaykh:
This is not strange from the people of falsehood that they band together against the people of truth and the call to truth, and spread rumors and fabrications. What did they do during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
Especially during the Battle of the Confederates, where the Confederates gathered against the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) from various tribes, intending to obliterate this religion and suppress this call. They besieged the Muslims in Madinah until Allah relieved the Muslims. They were patient until Allah relieved them, so He sent a wind that overturned the pots of the people of falsehood and the invaders, uprooted their tents and stakes, and sent angels to cast terror into their hearts. So they departed disappointed.
And Allah repelled those who disbelieved, in their rage, not having obtained any good. And sufficient was Allah for the believers in battle, and ever is Allah Powerful and Exalted in Might.
وَرَدَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِغَيْظِهِمْ لَمْ يَنَالُوا خَيْرًا وَكَفَى اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْقِتَالَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ قَوِيًّا عَزِيزًاIf there is harm in this world, it will pass, but they will have the good ending and the reward with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Otherwise, the prevailing outcome is that Allah will support them in this world and the Hereafter. Yes. Thank Allah for Your Eminence.
The questioner:
But what is the stance toward such channels? Does a person follow them, watch them, and believe what they broadcast? Or does he leave them alone and seek what promotes good and the call to unity and love?
The Shaykh:
This depends on what a person does toward them. If he listens to and watches them, and does not resist them, does not warn against them, and does not… then this is absolutely not permissible. Remaining silent about falsehood is not permissible, and he should not leave it open before him. But if he follows them in order to refute them, clarify what is in them, and warn against them, then this is the right thing, and cowardice before them is not permissible. Rather, courage is obligatory before them, and refuting their scheme. Yes.
Source
الموقف الشرعي من قنوات الفتنة والإرجاف كقناة الجزيرة وغيرها — alfawzan.live
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.