Following posts made by non-Muslims

10-11-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I have a question regarding following people on social media. On Twitter and Instagram, people follow people to view their posts and such. They also 'like' each other's posts. I was wondering if it is haram to follow a disbeliever's account. If a disbeliever posts something that is disbelief online, am I considered as agreeing with it if I just follow them, or only if I like their post? If I follow someone who posts haram things, am I considered as agreeing with it by following them?May Allaah reward you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is not prohibited for the Muslim to follow or view the posts of non-Muslims on social media. However, they should be followed for a valid benefit and provided that the follower has a firm conviction and sound faith enabling him to refute their misconceptions and avoid their alluring deviation. The non-Muslims may promote dangerous ideas or post pictures or videos that may cause Fitnah (temptation), leading the Muslim astray or undermining his religiosity and manners.

If the post of a non-Muslim contains disbelief, then viewing it does not mean approval of it. The same applies to any post that includes what is prohibited; viewing it is not considered approval; however, it is impermissible to 'like' such posts.

It is worthier of the Muslim, in dealing with social media, to do what benefits him in his religion and worldly life and to beware of whatever may lead to deviation and Fitnah. There is no doubt that social media are a double-edged weapon.

Allah knows best.