Religious Authority in the Age of Social Media Influencers

Muslim societies today are witnessing a major transformation in how people acquire religious knowledge. Preaching platforms, scholarly institutions, religious organizations, and specialized scholars are no longer the only sources people turn to for understanding their faith. Social media influencers are increasingly shaping religious perceptions, guiding behavior, and influencing attitudes toward religious and intellectual issues.

Although this transformation has positive aspects, including the wider dissemination of religious sciences and Islamic concepts and making them accessible to different social groups and age ranges, it also presents a serious challenge. Unqualified individuals are taking it upon themselves to issue religious rulings, speaking about matters they understand as well as those they do not, and presenting their content to the public through short videos that often prioritize fame and audience engagement.

This makes the subject particularly important, drawing attention to the sources from which people derive their understanding of religion and the criteria that distinguish a qualified scholar from a content creator.

Religious Authority in Islam: Between Revelation, Scholarship, and Fame

One of today’s most serious challenges is the transformation of fame into a measure of religious credibility. A person with a large following may be given precedence over a specialized scholar, or a personal opinion may be treated as an established religious ruling. It is therefore essential to distinguish between the sources of religion—the Quran and authentic Sunnah—the scholarly authority represented by a competent and trustworthy scholar, and the media intermediary, such as an influencer, celebrity, or content creator.

Allah Almighty has instructed us: {If you ˹polytheists˺ do not know ˹this already˺, then ask those who have knowledge ˹of the Scriptures˺.} [An-Nahl 16:43]

The general meaning of this verse includes praise for people of knowledge, as Allah commands those who do not know to refer to them in all matters they encounter. This also implies an endorsement of their scholarly integrity and a commendation of their qualifications, since Allah has instructed people to consult them. By doing so, those who lack knowledge are relieved of the burden of acting without guidance. The verse thus indicates that Allah has entrusted scholars with His revelation and His Book, and that they are required to cultivate their own integrity and embody the qualities of excellence. ⁽¹⁾

Allah Almighty also says: {Do not follow what you have no ˹sure˺ knowledge of. Indeed, all will be called to account for ˹their˺ hearing, sight, and intellect.} [Al-Isra’ 17:36]

The responsibility associated with knowledge extends to acquiring information, transmitting it, and influencing others through it.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars, so that when He leaves no learned person, people turn to the ignorant as their leaders; then they are asked to deliver religious verdicts and they deliver them without knowledge, they go astray, and lead others astray.” ⁽²⁾

This warning becomes even more significant when digital platforms give certain individuals extensive visibility without verifying their scholarly qualifications.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, would select certain Companions to teach others, serve as judges, or teach the Quran, taking into account each person’s knowledge, competence, and ability to fulfill the assigned responsibility. A prominent example is his sending of Mu`adh Ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, to Yemen, where he instructed him in the fundamental principles of calling people to Islam and emphasized the importance of a gradual approach to teaching them their religion.

Verifying Islamic Content and Combating Misinformation

Religious content spreads today at extraordinary speed. This can allow an error to circulate widely before it is discovered. Even after the mistake comes to light, what can one do except try to clarify the truth to the best of one’s ability? Something that does not belong to religion may be falsely attributed to it, or its texts may be interpreted in ways that contradict their actual meaning and implications.  

This makes it essential for Muslims to develop a sound understanding of religious authority, moving beyond a culture of passive consumption toward one that emphasizes verifying sources, understanding context, and recognizing the strength of the supporting evidence.

Allah Almighty says, {And when they hear news of security or fear, they publicize it. Had they referred it to the Messenger or their authorities, those with sound judgment among them would have validated it.} [An-Nisa’ 4:83]

Those capable of drawing conclusions are the scholars. They discern what should be kept confidential and what should be made public. ⁽³⁾

Not every piece of information is suitable for publication. Some people may casually share a statement, accusation, or piece of information without considering the consequences, even though the resulting harm to individuals and communities may be immense.

Thus, Allah revealed verses concerning The Incident of Al-Ifk (slander), addressing the dangers of receiving and circulating reports without evidence: {When you passed it from one tongue to the other, and said with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, taking it lightly while it is ˹extremely˺ serious in the sight of Allah.} [An-Nur 24:15]

The Ethics of Religious Influence: Sincerity, Fame, and Responsibility

In the digital environment, fame is shaped by algorithms, sensationalism, polarization, and the speed at which content spreads, often regardless of its subject matter, field, or intellectual merit. Content creators may therefore be tempted to enter the religious sphere, particularly when they see opportunities to increase their fame, gain more followers, or achieve similar rewards. In such circumstances, attracting attention may take precedence over accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.

This makes it essential to establish religious and ethical guidelines governing both the content and those who produce it. Such standards would enable influencers to use digital platforms to benefit people without allowing content creation to become a means of self-promotion through the exploitation of religion or manipulation of its texts.

Ultimately, this responsibility rests with the influencer, particularly if they fear the consequences of misleading others or negatively affecting them through what they publish.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or better keep silence.” ⁽⁴⁾

Published content does not lose its ethical responsibility simply because it appears on a digital platform. A comment, post, or video is still a form of speech that must be judged according to the standards of goodness and truthfulness.

It is also necessary to distinguish between digital indicators of popularity and the actual quality of religious outreach, its ethical and scholarly impact, and its consequences for society.

Building a Reliable System of Religious Authority in the Digital Age

It is important to urge audiences not to follow influencers blindly and to warn against religious rulings circulated by influencers or digital platforms without proper verification. However, this must be accompanied by a practical alternative that combines the authenticity of established Islamic scholarship with effective digital communication and easy access to reliable knowledge.

This requires making use of different platforms to disseminate sound knowledge according to sound scholarly principles, connecting people with scholars and recognized academic and religious institutions, and strengthening their ability to distinguish between a trustworthy religious ruling, a personal opinion, and media content. Religious knowledge must not be subordinated to the demands of fame and algorithms.

Achieving this goal requires a partnership among scholars, religious and educational institutions, content creators, and platform users. Scholars provide the sound scholarly foundations; media professionals present the material effectively; technical specialists help deliver the content to its intended audience; and viewers contribute by verifying information and sharing it responsibly.

This collaborative approach follows the divine instruction: {Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful.} [Ali `Imran 3:104]

Everyone should recognize the virtue of this collective effort and appreciate its potential consequences and benefits. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” ⁽⁵⁾

Spreading religious knowledge requires people with diverse skills, careful selection of teachers, coordination of efforts, and consideration of the audience’s circumstances. A sustainable solution combines critical awareness, high-quality content, and easy access to recognized and reliable sources of knowledge.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Read the Article in Arabic