“Last Word Syndrome” and “False Flag” Statements On Social Media

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Ignore Those Afflicted With The “Last Word Syndrome” On Social Media and The Proponents of “False Flag” Statements, Even If They Disguise It With Knowledge or The Claim of Championing The Rights of The Virtuous

Imam Al-Barbahaaree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Al-Hasan (al-Basree) said, “The wise man does not argue or seek to overcome with stratagem rather he propagates his wisdom. If it is accepted, he praises Allah and if it is rejected he praises Allah”. [Sharh As-Sunnah]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The wise man is the one who possesses wisdom, and wisdom is to place something in its place. Similarly, the wise one means the one with understanding.

He does not debate (with) a fruitless debate that is devoid of benefit.

He propagates his knowledge and if accepted he praises Allah. This is what is sought after. If it is not accepted, he is absolved of his responsibility and the proof is conveyed.

“He praises Allah” because he established and conveyed the proof, and fulfilled what is required of him, and the guiding of the hearts is in the hands of Allah. [1]

Nowadays, many individuals on social media platforms, such as Twitter and others, engage in discussions or voice their views on various topics. However, when they encounter someone whom they consider less knowledgeable or inferior in a particular field, or when their own inflated status in another domain is challenged, they struggle to accept reality. Thus, anyone who dares correct their misunderstandings and bad behaviour is not only viewed as ignorant, but guilty of insulting their authority. Without hesitation, they resort to social media and unleash “False Flag” statements, often making claims whose objective is to deceive and shift blame onto others. So, you find them seeking to portray themselves as those championing the cause of so and so virtuous person to create a pretext for conflict through which they can settle their own scores, for they are too weak to stand on their own due to weak proofs. Whether they receive a response or not, they carry on with further ambiguity or employ various evasion tactics that are not befitting anyone who claims moral superiority or knowledge. Since the recent passing of many of the senior scholars, may Allah have mercy upon them, we have observed this behaviour among individuals on social media—those who are “wrong and strong” and often blinded by an inflated sense of self-worth that compels them to maintain a favourable image at all costs.

It it important to note that a person with an inflated sense of self-worth may struggle to gain recognition within their own country or face restrictions in expressing some opinions; however, they can easily dupe a different audience online, where they may seek to rally support by initially capturing attention through shared information, referencing some prominent personalities to boost their connectivity and claim to be giving them the very status they deserve, which others refuse to recognise or acknowledge. When ignored many times, their delusion of grandeur surfaces in all online discussions. In addition, they constantly and desperately seek to evade accountability for their negative actions, as they hope to be forgotten through different “False flag” narratives, insinuations, misrepresentation and exaggeration. This is an addiction that forces them to impose their delusional perceived superiority.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to ignore these people, because they are addicted with the carving for validation since that has become an unending cycle, which is further intensified by their inflated self-worth. Your silence inflicts great discomfort upon them. This is the punishment they truly deserve! Unless Allah prevents them from this useless pursuit – especially their bad habit of hiding behind virtuous personalities – whose name they use as a pretext for conflict by claiming that these personalities are not being given their due right or have not received the acknowledgement they deserve, they will continue to seek attention and validation. They must be left to continue believing that they can dominate the narrative through “False flag” statements, exaggerations, empty claims and pathetic attempts to manipulate and silence others in the process. As adults in our late forties to fifties, with grandchildren and grown up children, one has come across many people who cannot refrain from having the final say due to their fragile egos. They are experiencing high levels of anxiety and seeking to alleviate their stress by insisting on being ‘right’ and prevailing in every dispute. Lacking a solid sense of honest self-scrutiny, their actions reflect their own problems and not ours; thus, one should remain calm and avoid emotional provocation, instead, utilises his strength in that which benefits one’s adherence to the religion ordained by Allah.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Whoever is given strength and facilitated to (engage in) something, his pleasure will be found in utilising that strength. Whoever is granted the strength to have sexual relations will find pleasure in utilising his strength in it. Whoever is given strength to become angry and overcome (others) will utilise the strength of his anger. Whoever is given the strength to eat and drink, his pleasure will be found in utilising his strength. Whoever is given the strength to (acquire) knowledge and understanding, his pleasure will be found in utilising his strength and directing it towards knowledge. Whoever is given strength in loving Allah, turning to Him in repentance, submission and obedience, being devoted to Allah (sincerely in one’s) heart, having an ardent desire to please, obey, and meet Allah in (the Hereafter) and desiring to come close to Allah, be recognised and loved by Allah, he will find his pleasure and bliss in utilising this strength in that. All the pleasures will dwindle and disappear, except this one (i.e. love of Allah). [2]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي

وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ

وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720]

[1] An Excerpt from It’haf Al-Qari Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharh As- Sunnah Lil Imam Barbahaaree. 2/265-266
[2] Al-Fawaa’id 121-122