The short answer
The Quran directly instructs believers to investigate reports when acting on them could harm people, and warns against claiming knowledge without basis. Check the source and context before sharing, especially when a post accuses someone or could put people at risk.
Allah tells believers that if information comes from an unreliable source, they should investigate so they do not harm people out of ignorance and later regret it 1. The Quran also says not to pursue what one has no knowledge of 2. A viral message, screenshot or edited clip is not automatically reliable evidence. Look for the original source, date, context and independent confirmation before repeating it as fact.
The duty becomes more serious when a claim identifies a person or group, alleges wrongdoing or could trigger harassment. Allah forbids negative assumptions, spying and backbiting 3. Do not publish private details or accusations simply because many others have shared them. If you cannot verify a claim, withhold it or clearly say what remains uncertain.
If you shared something false, correct it where you posted it and ask others not to circulate it. This is a practical way to limit harm. The Quran gives a method and moral standard, though it does not prescribe a modern fact-checking organization or technical tool.
Investigate reports before acting so people are not harmed through ignorance.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإࣲ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةࣲ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ ٦
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
Do not pursue claims without knowledge.
وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولࣰ ا ٣٦
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned
Avoid unfounded assumptions, spying and backbiting.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرࣰ ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمࣱۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن يَأۡكُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتࣰ ا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابࣱ رَّحِيمࣱ ١٢
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful
This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-25