The Right to Freedom of Expression on Social Media in the Perspective of Hifz al-Aql (Preservation of Reason) and Positive Law
Keywords:
Freedom of Expression, Hifz al-Aql, Maqasid al-Shariah, ITE LawAbstract
Freedom of expression on social media has become a critical intersection between digital rights, Islamic jurisprudence, and positive law. This study examines the right to freedom of expression on social media through the lens of Hifz al-Aql (preservation of reason), one of the five essential objectives (maqasid al-shariah) in Islamic jurisprudence, and its alignment with Indonesian positive law, particularly Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE Law) and Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press. Using a normative-qualitative approach with statutory, conceptual, and comparative analysis, this research reveals a substantial convergence between Islamic jurisprudential principles and positive law frameworks in regulating speech that may harm public reason, social cohesion, and individual dignity. Both frameworks recognize that freedom of expression is not absolute and must be balanced against societal interests, the prevention of hoaxes, hate speech, and defamation. The study finds that Hifz al-Aql provides a robust ethical foundation for restricting harmful digital content, complementing the procedural and punitive mechanisms established by positive law. The research recommends an integrative regulatory model that combines the moral imperatives of Islamic jurisprudence with the enforceable standards of Indonesian positive law to achieve more effective governance of social media expression.
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