NU Scholars Issue Fatwa: Spreading Past Misdeeds Online Permissible for Public Interest

The Bahtsul Masail Waqi’iyah Commission at the 2026 Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) National Conference of Alim Ulama and Grand Conference has ruled that re-disseminating a person’s past misdeeds or disgrace on the internet is fundamentally haram, as it constitutes ghibah. However, an exception is granted if the information is required for the public interest, especially to assess the integrity and capability of candidates for public office or leadership positions. The decision was reached during sessions held in Kediri on 20-21 June 2026. One of the main topics of discussion was the right to be forgotten in the digital age. The commission highlighted how technological advancements have made personal data, legal histories, and past mistakes permanently accessible via search engines and digital platforms, potentially causing social and psychological harm to individuals seeking to reform. Despite this, the Chairman of the NU Bahtsul Masail Institute, KH Mahbub Ma’afi, stated that scholars agreed the dissemination of past disgrace can be justified for purposes recognised by Islamic law, such as informing the public about the track record of candidates for public office.