The Ethics of Dealing with Visual Media

The Internet has become an open arena for uploading video clips. Nearly everyone has a mobile phone storing videos they receive, record themselves, or collect from different sources, to save, view, or share with others. Carelessness in this matter has become common, and mistakes are likely. Here are some ethical guidelines and observations regarding this issue:

Viewing

Searching for a video online has become extremely easy, and clips of every kind are readily available through social media and messaging apps. This certainly exposes us to cultural variety, new experiences, and learning opportunities, which can be good. Yet there are dangers to be wary of. Chief among them is viewing what Allah has prohibited. Allah says: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do” (Al-Nūr 24:30). Abū Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has written for the son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably commit. The zina of the eyes is looking...” (Bukhari and Muslim). Many young people assume that simply avoiding prohibited looks is enough to be safe, but the matter goes beyond that. One must also avoid videos that mock the sick or afflicted, or that ridicule people’s appearance, or that contain sarcasm and scorn. Allah says: “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people...” (Al-Ḥujurāt 49:11).

Qur'an “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” (Al-Nūr 24:30) “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them. Nor let women ridicule other women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by offensive nicknames.” (Al-Ḥujurāt 49:11)

Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah has written for the son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably commit. The zina of the eyes is looking...” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Scenes of violence should also be avoided, especially for children. Such exposure hardens the heart, may cause psychological issues, and accustoms viewers to harshness and inappropriate behavior—particularly harmful in an Islamic society founded on compassion, love, cooperation, and the pursuit of goodness.

Uploading and Sharing Videos

With the spread of mobile apps for recording and editing videos—constantly being improved for ease of use—and the rise of social media platforms dedicated to video sharing, many people have become creative in producing and posting their own clips. Here are some ethical guidelines a Muslim should keep in mind when creating and sharing such videos:

Kind speech: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A good word is charity” (Bukhari and Muslim). Through kind and gentle words, hearts come together and soften. Ibn Kathīr explained Allah’s words: “And speak to people kindly” (Al-Baqarah 2:83) by saying: “Speak to them well and treat them gently. This includes enjoining good and forbidding evil in a kind way, as al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī said: Kind speech means enjoining good, forbidding evil, being forbearing, forgiving, and addressing people in the manner Allah commanded—with every good manner that Allah is pleased with.”

Qur'an “And speak to people kindly.” (Al-Baqarah 2:83)

Hadith The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A good word is charity.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Do not violate the rights of others. This will be discussed in detail in a later chapter, Allah willing.

Avoid recording and sharing Muslims’ private matters or exposing their faults without permission. Just as it is forbidden to look at such things, it is forbidden to spread them. In addition to earlier evidences, Allah says: “Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know” (Al-Nūr 24:19).

Qur'an “Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.” (Al-Nūr 24:19)

Avoid including prohibited content in these clips, or elements that may lead to it. Some Muslims may do so with good intentions, intending to advise others, but omitting such content is safer—closing the door to suspicion and steering clear of harm.

One must be cautious when recording videos, avoiding exposure of private life, inappropriate behavior such as dancing, and anything unbecoming of a Muslim’s character. Unfortunately, such behavior is widespread among teenagers and children, encouraged by certain apps and platforms. Parents must monitor their children’s activities—what they watch, play, or share in their messages and comments—and alert them to the dangers of such programs.