Must Muslims Declare Their Faith on Social Media?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it obligatory for a Muslim to indicate his religious affiliation on social media or other websites?

I read that according to books of fiqh, it is clear kufr to say “I am not a Muslim,” in particular in response to the question “Are you a Muslim?” Neither my name nor my exterior does not explicitly say to others that I am a Muslim.

Some social media removed the “religion” field, so I wrote that I am a Muslim in the “about.”

Am I right, or is it enough for a Muslim to remain silent about his religion until he is directly asked about it? Jazak Allahu Khair!

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

If one does not fill the field area with one’s religion, it will not affect one’s faith (iman). One should look at the context, website, and country one resides in so that it can be left open or filled as long as it does not harm or affect one.

Right to be Physically and Emotionally Safe

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Everything about a Muslim is inviolable to other Muslims: his blood, wealth, and good name.” [Muslim]

Every human being has a right to be safe. This is in keeping with the legal principle “Harm shall be removed.” [Ibn Nujaim, al-Ashbah wa al-Nadha’ir]

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.