A Content Analysis Of Fatwās On Social Media: Fiqh-Based Approaches Of Leading Fatwā Councils

• In Event: Sociology of Religion Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 6. Religion and Authority

Abstract

Social media platforms have become virtual spaces where individuals share their daily experiences, including aspects of their private lives. As a discipline concerned with the actions (a‘māl) of Muslims, fiqh encompasses rulings related to various dimensions of social life and is capable of formulating judgments concerning activities within digital environments such as social media. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out a fiqh-based assessment of these platforms, which are used not only for daily practices but also for social, religious, and economic activities, in order to determine the corresponding rulings. In contemporary fiqh matters, the opinions of fatwā councils—recognized as authoritative bodies for exercising ijtihād and issuing legal rulings—play a significant role in articulating the fiqh perspective. Prominent fatwā councils from different regions of the world have addressed emerging issues and resolved fatwās that reflect diverse approaches to the use of social media. This study examines how these institutions analyze social media use within the framework of Islamic principles and identifies the sources and foundations upon which their fatwās are based. By providing a comparative analysis of a contemporary issue that affects people’s daily lives, the research offers insights into Islamic approaches to social media. It also highlights the fact that, while some challenges faced by Muslims on social media have been addressed, there remain areas of social media activity for which no clear Islamic rulings have yet been formulated. A qualitative research methodology has been adopted, utilizing content analysis to present a detailed and comparative examination of fatwās related to social media. By uncovering the steps taken by Islamic scholars in addressing the intersection of fiqh and contemporary digital platforms, this research seeks to enhance our understanding of the evolving relationship between Islamic jurisprudence and modern communication technologies. Furthermore, the study aims to contribute to future scholarship on the relationship between Islam and technological developments by offering a foundational analysis of existing scholarly perspectives.

Key Words: Fatwā, Fatwā Councils, Fiqh/Islamic Law, Social Media.

Author

• Emine Umac, Marmara University Institute of Social Sciences