Constructing a Theology of Digital Ethics: A Mawḍū’ī Interpretation of the Verses on Hubūṭ al-A’māl Regarding Netizens’ Behavior

ABSTRACT: Social media activity in the digital age carries profound spiritual consequences alongside its social and psychological impacts. This study aims to analyze Quranic ̅erses regarding u al-a‟mal (the invalidation of righteous deeds) and reorient them as a foundational framework for social media ethics. Utilizing a qualitative thematic Quranic analysis method (al-manhaj al-mawdu’i), this research categorizes Quranic texts on deed invalidation and applies them to online behaviors across platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Findings reveal that Quranic factors invalidating deeds span theological violations (such as shirk, apostasy, and mocking religion) and moral/ethical infractions (such as ostentation/riya’, backbiting, false accusation, and spiritual arrogance/ta’alli ‘alallah). In social media, these manifest as religious mockery memes, ostentatious worship for engagement, cyberbullying, and arrogant spiritual condemnation. The study proposes a Quranic digital ethics framework centered on digital muraqabah, tabayyun (verification), sincerity of intention, and preserving human dignity.

KEYWORDS: Hub ̅t al-A’mal, Social Media Ethics, Thematic Exegesis, Mockery of Faith, Digital Morality