Guarding Speech in the Digital Era: An Islamic View

In the digital era, technological developments have transformed the way people interact, work, and build social connections. This transformation is also closely related to the field of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), particularly in understanding the relationship between humans, technology, and systems. Amid these rapid changes, guarding speech has become an increasingly important responsibility in the digital era.

A single comment, message, or social media post can now reach millions of people within minutes. It may take only a few seconds to write, but the responsibility that comes with those words can be much greater. Amid the rapid flow of information, we often forget that every word we type is part of our communication. In Islamic teachings, our words can become a gateway to goodness, but they can also become a source of harm.

Two Stories That Sparked Public Attention

Recently, the public was reminded of the power of words through two incidents that began with comments and posts on social media.

The first was the story of Mr. Pitono, a grandfather who regularly sells clothes through TikTok livestreams under the account toko.pa.pitono. Instead of receiving support, his products were mocked and compared to clothes taken from a neighbor’s clothesline or even from a trash can. Interestingly, Mr. Pitono responded calmly and even apologized to his audience. His attitude eventually sparked widespread public sympathy (TribunWow, August 8, 2026).

The second story was more heartbreaking. Yurizal Tri Chaerawan, a 29-year-old BPJS Kesehatan patient, shared a complaint on Threads on July 22, 2026, saying that he had waited eight hours for a hospital room. Instead of receiving empathy, his post received criticism, including comments from health workers on social media. About a week later, on July 31, 2026, Yurizal passed away.

There was no official medical report confirming that his death was caused by the long waiting time for a hospital room (Kompas, August 5, 2026). Nevertheless, the case sparked public discussion about how easily people can respond to someone’s suffering without knowing the full context of their situation.

“Things from the trash.” “Please prioritize.” “Alay.”

Words like these may take only a few seconds to type, but their impact can remain in someone’s heart for years. A careless comment can become a wound that is difficult to erase.

Safeguarding Speech in the Digital Era from an Islamic Perspective

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”

(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith teaches us that silence is not a loss. Instead, knowing when to remain silent can be a manifestation of faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also reminded us that a person may utter a word that pleases Allah and raises their status, while another word may displease Allah and cause them to fall into Hell (Narrated by Bukhari).

The distance between these two possibilities can be very small. In the digital era, our fingers can type words faster than we can consider their consequences.

Allah also says in Surah Qaf (50:18):

مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

“He does not utter a word except that there is an observer ready to record it.”

This verse reminds us that our words are never beyond accountability. Although the verse refers to what a person utters, its message can also encourage us to reflect on our behavior in the digital world. Every comment, message, and post we create carries responsibility.

From Speech to Writing: Our Fingers Can Speak Too

Some people feel that what they write online is different from speech because it is not spoken aloud. However, writing can function as another form of communication and can carry consequences similar to spoken words.

Therefore, guarding speech in the digital era does not only mean controlling what comes out of our mouths.. It also means being careful with every piece of writing, comment, caption, and message that we share.

Writing can even be more lasting than spoken words. Speech may disappear after it is spoken, while writing can remain on a server, be copied, redistributed, and read by thousands of people. A hurtful comment can continue to spread even after its author has forgotten about it.

Islam also teaches us to speak well of those who have passed away and to refrain from spreading their faults (Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi). This principle remains relevant in the digital era, where information about someone can easily be preserved and shared long after the original event.

The Qur’an for All Ages

Some people may assume that religious teachings are outdated and disconnected from modern life. However, the challenges we face today often reflect the same human weaknesses that have existed throughout history.

Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12):

وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا ۚ أَيَحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ

“Do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it.”

The verse teaches us to avoid backbiting and speaking negatively about others. In today’s digital environment, this principle can be applied to social media discussions, comments, and posts that expose or ridicule other people’s shortcomings.

Similarly, Allah says in Surah An-Nur (24:19):

نَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ

“Indeed, those who love that immorality should spread among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter.”

In the age of social media, information can become viral within seconds. Spreading someone’s disgrace, sharing harmful content, or participating in online attacks can amplify harm far beyond the original situation.

Surah Al-Qalam (68:10-11) also warns against following those who are contemptible, constantly slandering others, and spreading malicious gossip.

In the age of algorithms, those who spread slander can easily use other people’s pain as content. A personal tragedy can become entertainment, a private mistake can become public material, and a single careless comment can reach an enormous audience.

This reminds us that divine guidance is not limited to a particular era. While the forms of human problems continue to change, their roots often remain the same: uncontrolled desires, careless words, and an unguarded heart.

Reflection

Before typing a comment, message, or post, perhaps we should pause and ask ourselves:

• Would I say these words if the person were standing right in front of me?
• Do I know the full context of the story, or am I judging based on a single post?
• Am I standing up for the truth, or am I simply joining the crowd?
• Will my comment become a prayer, or could it become another wound for the person who reads it?

There is one more question worth considering: When was the last time we stopped our fingers before pressing “send”?

Perhaps one of the greatest acts of self-control today is typing half a sentence and then choosing to delete it.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”

In the digital era, this teaching is not only about what we say. It is also about what we choose to type, share, like, and amplify.

Wisely Guarding Our Speech in the Digital Era

The effects of our actions in cyberspace are real. Behind every account is a human being, and behind every screen is a heart that can be hurt.

Guarding speech in the digital era and keeping our fingers from writing hurtful words may seem like a small act, but it is an important form of self-discipline. Before sharing or commenting, we should pause, consider the context, and remember that our words carry consequences.

May we become people whose words bring blessings, whose writings spread goodness, and whose presence in the digital world never becomes a source of harm to others.

A peaceful heart begins with a guarded mouth and, in today’s digital world, with guarded fingers as well.

Amen.

References

• Kompas.com. (August 5, 2026). “BPJS Kesehatan Speaks Out Regarding JKN Participant Who Died After Complaining About Not Being Able to Get a Room.”
• ANTARA News. “Facts About the Viral Case of Yurizal, the BPJS Patient Who Died.”
• detikHealth. “Ministry of Health Explains the Facts Behind the Viral Case of BPJS Patient Waiting for 8 Hours, Turns Out to Be at RSCM.”
• TribunWow. (August 8, 2026). “Viral: Grandpa Selling Dasters Insulted During TikTok Live, His Response Is Touching.”

Putri Dwi Annisa