Avoid Defamation in the Name of Freedom of Expression


Defamation involves statements or activities that may give a negative image to others or harm their reputation. You should avoid giving defamatory, slanderous or libelous statements about others. You are not allowed any scandal-mongering or character-assassination in the name of freedom of expression. You have the freedom of expression only to the extent that does not harm anyone’s reputation, hurt anyone’s feelings or infringe upon anyone’s rights. In order to be regarded respectable in the society, you should improve your own character instead of defiling others’. [A-Quran Sura 49: Verse 11; Sura 104: Verse 1]

وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ