From Prophetic Manners to Online Conduct: Reassessing Social Media Ethics in the Light of Seerah

Abstract

The rapid development of social media has transformed the conversation of the people, the formation of identity and the current pattern of communication, but it has also enhanced the spread of fake news, online bullying, cyber addiction, exposure to nakedness and obscenity, and the growing popularity of unfit celebrities to promote unhealthy or misleading information. Such issues cause moral decay of the digital societies, further than individual behavior manipulation. In this article, I intend to critically analyze these emerging ethical concerns through the lens of the Seerah Nabawiya SAW by arguing that the Prophetic model provides a comprehensive ethical framework that is applicable in modern contexts on the Internet. This paper redefines these ageless values in digital behavior by referring to Quranic teachings and the exemplary life of the Prophet SAW, particularly, his commitment to telling the truth, being modest, practicing emotional restraint, responsible oratory, healthy interaction, and safeguarding the unity of the community. The paper will offer viable and principle driven solutions to such issues as fake news, trolling, cyberbullying, dishonesty, the psychological impact of continuous screen time, and the vulnerability to unhealthy dependence on virtual approval by balancing social media ethics with prophetic messages. Ultimately, the paper makes the assertion that Seerah-oriented  moral principles can be a source of transformational moral guidance and enable Muslims to make use of digital life in a socially responsible, ethically upright, and balanced way.