Mufti of the Republic: Rumors are the most dangerous weapon used to undermine self-confidence, weaken national belonging, and distort established facts.
Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad, Mufti of the Republic, Head of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Boards and Roles, confirmed that the world today faces a war of a different kind, targeting awareness, reason, and identity, in which blood is not shed, but in which minds and ideas are wounded, a war that tampers with language, history, and civilization, threatens the nation’s constants, and sows doubt in souls and despair in hearts. With the expansion of social media and the multiplicity of broadcast and content platforms, rumors have become the most dangerous weapon to be used. To undermine self-confidence, weaken national belonging, and distort established facts, explaining that Damietta University did well when it chose this vital topic; To be put on the discussion table, because war in this era is no longer just a physical war as we used to know it in the past, and whose devastating effects we have witnessed on the soul, money and humanity, by a brutal entity that does not respect human dignity, nor respect God’s religion, in a war that lasted more than two years on Gaza, and showed the world the extent of the destruction and suffering that wars cause.
This came during his Eminence’s speech at the symposium organized by Damietta University under Title: “Between Truth and Slander… A Scientific Vision to Confront False Claims,” in which His Eminence explained There is not one of us who has not experienced the impact and danger of rumors, and we have seen how they have caused the destruction of countries and peoples that were referred to as Lebanon in terms of material, military and scientific progress. We see that they have toppled nations that have reached great heights in the field of development, technology and urbanization, confirming that no one in this era has been spared from the effects of these misleading rumours, which confirms that the danger of a false word is no less than the danger of a bullet. His Eminence the Mufti added that the impact of these rumors is not limited to the person who promotes them or the person against whom they are said, but rather extends to serious physical, psychological and social effects on societies, explaining that the rumor in reality is nothing but an opinion, idea or point of view whose owner seeks to spread and broadcast it without any control from religion, morals, custom or law, ignoring the controls upon which upright societies were established, and which came to protect dignity. Humanity and the maintenance of social peace.
The Mufti of the Republic pointed out that the values, customs and traditions upon which society was raised were sufficient to protect people from slipping into lies, but the era of modern technology and social networking sites has weakened these principles for many, and only those with high morals and upright minds adhered to them, pointing out that one of the most dangerous reasons for the spread of rumors is the pursuit of some people after what is called a “trend.” Without awareness or responsibility, that is why God Almighty said: “O you who have believed, if a sinner comes to you with news, then investigate.” Stressing that the individual must be discerning and intelligent when receiving information, and verify its veracity and source before disseminating it. The Holy Prophet informed of the crime of this, saying Peace be upon him: «It is enough sin for a man to narrate everything he hears» In fact, his danger may reach the level of hypocrisy that God Almighty described by saying: “Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest level of the Fire.” [النساء: 145]The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (The sign of a hypocrite is three: When he speaks, he lies.)
His Eminence the Mufti explained that one of the reasons for the spread of rumors is also the misuse of modern technological means, calling for their use in positive aspects that serve awareness and knowledge, and warning against their use in spreading lies and harm, citing the words of God Almighty: You abstain from that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, hearing, sight, and the heart are all of these for which He will be questioned. [الإسراء: 36]And the Almighty said: “Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him, ever present,” stressing that awareness and self-censorship are the true fortress in the face of false rumours, that the word is trustworthy, and that whoever fears God in his words and actions contributes to building his homeland and protecting his society.
His Eminence the Mufti of the Republic pointed out that we do not We object to the use of modern technological means in the fields of permissible entertainment as long as a person is watching his Lord in using them, making them a means for good and not a gateway to evil. We also do not object to employing modern technologies in the service of scientific research because they are a way to restore human dignity and build knowledge, citing what was mentioned The Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, sent some of his companions to learn languages, reading, and writing, out of awareness of the importance of science and its impact on the development of nations, and taking from it the givens of the times.
His Eminence explained that the absence of religious motive represents one of the most important reasons for involvement in spreading rumours, warning young people against being led by calls that attempt to separate religion from reality or belittle its importance, because religion is what instills in humans self-censorship and pushes them to adhere to truth and duty until If he disappears from people’s eyes, whether the punishment is achieved or not. His Eminence gave an example of someone who secludes himself in front of screens to see what God has forbidden in the absence of human supervision, stressing that the absence of religious oversight is the first path to deviation, citing the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him: (Sin is what wavers in the soul and hesitates in the chest).
His Eminence the Mufti warned that the absence of religious motive leads to underestimating rights and duties and attacking forbidden things, explaining that rumors destroy the five faculties that The Sharia came to preserve them: religion, the soul, the mind, honor, and money, and they are the same pillars that the nation seeks to protect and preserve, pointing out that rumors may destroy homes and undermine civilizations, citing the Al-Ifk incident that shook Medina, when hypocrites spread an offensive rumor that affected the house of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and the Messenger of God went through it with great hardship that affected his honorable soul, without these people taking into account the sanctity of it. Because of his position and status, it is a timeless lesson in the necessity of verifying and clarifying before transmitting news, explaining that a person of chivalry and morals is required to cover up even if what he heard is true, citing the words of Omar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him: Would you please cover it with your garment for whoever wants to spread the guilt of others?
His Eminence the Mufti explained that confronting rumors is based on several factors, the most important of which is transferring information from its official sources, and being patient in issuing judgments, because God Almighty made man A caliph on earth to build and develop, not to demolish and corrupt, citing the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him: « “Let not one of you be a fool, saying that if people do good, they do good, and if they do evil, we do evil, but reassure yourselves that if people do good, you should do good, and if they do evil, you should avoid their evil.”  His Eminence also stressed the need for a correct understanding of the concepts associated with rumours, stressing that terrorism cannot be attributed to religions, and that jihad does not mean aggression, as religion is from God, and it is a straight scale to control a person’s relationship with his Lord and the people around him.
He cited the position of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he became angry because some of his companions burned down a village of ants, and pointed out that God forgave a woman who gave water to a dog, confirming that mercy is the essence of religions and the core of faith, even if Confronting rumors is a shared responsibility between the individual and society, and religious and moral awareness is the bulwark against falsehood and deception, calling on young people to make science and religion wings of renaissance, and honesty and compassion a path to building a strong, cohesive nation that lives in the light of truth and thrives on the basis of awareness and certainty.
His Eminence the Mufti warned against being led by calls that promote deviant ideas under false claims of freedom, such as calling for perversion. And atheism, stressing that these calls represent a danger to values, morals, and society, because they deviate freedom from its true meaning into chaos and dissolution, adding that the relationship between a girl and a boy at the university is not a relationship of friendship or absolute openness, but rather a relationship of scholarly fellowship governed by the controls of Sharia, custom, and authentic customs, and controlled by the religious motive that preserves honor, preserves dignity, and refines behavior, noting that adhering to these controls is the title of advancement and self-respect. The Mufti of the Republic stated that there is nothing to be ashamed of in our true religion, but rather the real shame is from the actions of some of those affiliated with the religion when they misrepresent it or are ignorant of its essence. Religion is in its origin light, moderation, and mercy. There is no extremism, no isolation, no unruliness, and no abuse in the name of freedom.
His Eminence pointed to the necessity of putting things in the right perspective, associating this with good intentions and conscious understanding, explaining that a person can maintain His religion and morals in light of the changes of the times, if he understands that God Almighty has subjected to him what is in the heavens and the earth so that he can be master of them and responsible for them, not a slave to his lusts or whims, stressing that self-control is the essence of faith, as it is what makes a person control his behavior even in the absence of a human supervisor, feeling that God is aware of him in every situation, pointing out that freedom in Islam is not absolute without restrictions, but rather it is a freedom governed by values and purposes, so human freedom ends when harming others, Religion does not abolish freedom, but rather purifies, refines, and defends it, because you – As His Eminence said – "Free as long as it does not harm religion, honor, reason, habit, or soul
His Eminence also recommended that students follow the straight path based on the foundations of the right religion, and to combine in building their personalities mental, spiritual, physical, and moral strength, stressing the importance of pride in identity and adherence to authentic values, with conscious openness that does not deviate from the limits of religion, custom, and customs. He warned them against disrespecting adults, including fathers, mothers, and professors, stressing that respecting them is at the core of the morals called for by Islam.
The Mufti of the Republic concluded his speech by stressing that awareness is the real weapon in the face of such hidden wars, and that universities and intellectual institutions must play their role in building a conscious mind capable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood, because building awareness is building the nation, preserving identity, and fulfilling God’s will to populate the earth with truth, goodness, and justice. In a gesture of appreciation and gratitude, Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdo Amasha, Vice President of Damietta University, presented the university’s shield to His Eminence the Mufti in recognition of His Eminence’s efforts in spreading awareness and correcting students’ thinking.
The symposium witnessed the presence of Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdo Amasha, Vice President of Damietta University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdo Hamid Shehab, Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Brigadier General of Staff Muhammad Khalifa, Military Advisor to the Governorate, and Engineer Shaima Siddiq, Deputy Governor of Damietta.
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