Misuse of Hadith in Social Media: A Study of Youtube

Social media has become an integral part of daily life, with platforms like YouTube revolutionizing knowledge dissemination and interaction. The increasing popularity of YouTube for sharing Hadith content has significantly amplified the spread of Islamic teachings. However, this trend has also led to the widespread misuse of Hadith, where individuals and groups distort or misinterpret these sacred texts to promote personal beliefs, sectarian agendas, or financial gains. Such misuse raises critical issues, including misinformation, confusion among viewers, and the erosion of authentic religious guidance. This qualitative study employs a grounded theory approach to explore the forms, causes, and effects of Hadith misuse on YouTube. Data was collected through pilot studies, library research, and field observations, and analyzed using content and thematic analysis. The findings reveal several forms of misuse, such as incomplete or absent Sanad, mistranslations, fabricated Hadith, and exploitation for personal or commercial purposes. Factors contributing to misuse include ignorance, sectarian biases, political motives, and the pursuit of fame or profit. The negative consequences span religious, academic, social, and psychological domains, undermining the integrity of Islamic teachings and fostering division within the Muslim community. The study highlights the absence of a robust online monitoring system on YouTube as a key weakness in addressing this issue. It proposes preventive measures, including the development of new laws, regulations, and technological tools to verify Hadith authenticity. Recommendations also emphasize the need for public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and collaboration between scholars, authorities, and technology experts to promote responsible Hadith dissemination. By addressing these challenges, this research aims to safeguard the sanctity of Hadith and enhance the ummah's ability to access accurate religious guidance in the digital age.