What does good character look like in online arguments?

The short answer

The Prophet ﷺ taught believers to speak good or remain silent [1]. The Quran also warns against spreading unverified reports, spying and backbiting [2][3], so pause before replying, reposting or exposing a private conversation.

Evidence 1 2 3

Explanation

Online conversations still involve real people and real reputations. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or remain silent 1. The Quran warns believers to investigate a report before acting on it, lest they harm people out of ignorance 2. A dramatic screenshot or clipped video may omit context, so check before you accuse or share.

Allah also tells believers not to spy or backbite 3. Posting someone's private message to embarrass them can violate trust, even if you disagree with what they said. If you need advice or must report harm, share only what is necessary with someone who can help; do not turn a safety concern into a public pile-on.

You can criticise an idea without attacking a person's worth. If anger is rising, step away, draft a response without sending it, or end the exchange. Apologise if your words harmed someone, and correct misinformation you helped spread. These principles apply to posts, comments and group chats; the texts do not name modern platforms. A useful check is whether your words are true, necessary and fair to the person being discussed.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 6018
    Sahih Bukhari

    Believers are told to speak good or remain silent.

    Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk)

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ يُؤْذِ جَارَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ ‏"‏‏.‏

  2. 2
    Quran Al-Hujuraat · 49:6

    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

  3. 3
    Quran Al-Hujuraat · 49:12

    Avoid 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

Report an issue

Tell us what is wrong. Every report is read.

What is the problem?