Religion has never been exploited for political and worldly ambitions to the extent that it is today. Unfortunately, the oppressors of our time sometimes use religious values as tools to achieve their earthly goals and, at other times, as brooms to sweep away the filth they leave behind. We live in a challenging time during which some tyrants, devoid of true religious essence yet exploiting religious values, fabricate lies, hurl unimaginable slanders, deceive the masses, seize the property of those they consider enemies, oppress the innocent, and then disguise all their vile actions with religious justifications. On one hand, they commit every forbidden act contrary to religion and disregard its values. On the other hand, they exploit religious arguments so skillfully that they present themselves to the public as devout believers, saviors, or even messianic figures. It is evident that their real goal is worldly power and the pomp and splendor it brings. Yet, through lies and deception, they manipulate people to such an extent that the masses perceive them as guardians of religion and servants of the people.
Meanwhile, many individuals notice the disparity between the words and actions of these so-called devout figures. They see how far these individuals have strayed from true religious principles and witness religion being used as a cover for every form of theft and corruption. As a result, people begin to lose faith not only in these self-declared devout figures but also in religion itself. Furthermore, when leaders perceived as devout engage in bribery, theft, and corruption, their behavior significantly influences society at large. The corruption and decay that start at the top of the state eventually spread to the grassroots. As the saying goes, “The fish rots from the head down,” or, “A bad apple spoils the whole barrel.”
Consequently, sensitivity to what is lawful and unlawful fades, Islamic moral principles deteriorate, and a distorted understanding of religiosity takes root. As history has shown time and again, the greatest harm to religion today is inflicted by those who claim sole ownership of Muslim identity or Islam. Because of their actions, countless people become estranged from God, the Prophet, and religion itself. In some cases, these individuals prove more dangerous and destructive than non-believers who openly seek to harm religion.
It is impossible not to lament when looking at the current state of a nation whose ancestors once guided humanity’s destiny, maintained global balance, and commanded universal respect with their justice and fairness. A blessed country has been turned into a haven for corrupt opportunists. A land once filled with historical lessons and exhibitions of beauty and higher values has been transformed into a tangled web of problems. A people who, at one time, built a world admired for its compassion, mercy, justice, and humanity—a utopia depicted in dreams—have been paralyzed. They have tarnished the radiant face of a nation and its people that was once envied, sought refuge in, and embraced by all.
When we examine recent events, we encounter a stark reality: respect for humanity, right, and truth have vanished. Justice has been trampled underfoot. Compassion and mercy have faded away. The distinction between lawful and unlawful has been blurred. The glitz and glamour of the world have been preferred over the eternal beauty of the hereafter.
We live in such a diabolical era that people are blacklisted based on sinister motives, stripped of their positions, and deprived of their livelihoods. Individuals who serve the Qur’an are attacked with forces resembling Hitler’s SS. Police, acting like militants, break into the homes and windows of innocent people, arrest them, and throw them into prisons. They commit atrocities that even bandits would refrain from. They fear neither God nor feel any shame before people. Their principles contain no notions of lawful and unlawful, balance, fairness, or accountability in the hereafter. Instead, they are filled with oppression, domination, subjugation, and tyranny.
Minds have become so twisted, thoughts so muddled, and hearts so hardened that even a simple act of material aid to a victim is branded as a crime or an act of rebellion. Hearts have grown so callous that they are insatiable in their hatred and animosity. Their actions inflict pain on millions of people simultaneously. Those who claim to be devout Muslims, invoking religion and faith, are engaging in evils reminiscent of the oppressors from the early period of Islam, such as Abu Jahl, Utba, Shayba, and Walid. Any person with an ounce of conscience would be heartbroken by the brutality and oppression being perpetrated today.
To consume those they wish to consume and destroy those they wish to destroy, they concoct excuses that even the devil would not imagine. They stage scenarios that would astonish even the most skilled scriptwriters. Yet, while committing these heinous acts, the tyrants portray themselves as paragons of justice—Hajjaj al-Zalim poses as Umar, and Yazid claims the piety of Abu Bakr. Though they modify their outward appearances, claims, or methods, their oppression persists unabated. At the same time, they continue to find religious justifications for their tyranny, seeking to legitimize their cruelty in any way they can.
The late National Poet Laureate Mehmet Akif, in these verses, seems to vividly describe our times:
Loyalty is gone, respect for promises nonexistent, trust an empty word;
Lies are widespread, betrayal embraced everywhere, truth unknown.
Hearts are devoid of mercy, desires base, ambitions thorny;
The meaning reflected in people’s eyes scorns all of humanity.
Brains shudder, O Lord, what a terrifying revolution:
Faith is lost, religion ruined, belief reduced to dust!
Let virtues boil away, and consciences fall utterly silent;
As this moral decay marches on, independence will not halt!
Following the directives of modern-day Ibn Saluls[1], credentialed ignoramuses, consumed by envy, cannot tolerate the selfless hearts devoted to serving their religion, people, country, and all humanity. These pitiable souls, incapable of guiding even five people to God, instilling love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), or fostering religious values, burn with envy. Thus, they commit crimes bordering on disbelief. They demolish the works of those who, across the world, showcase the cultural legacy of the past. Through bribes, lies, and slander, they strive to shut down charitable institutions, as if mobilized to plant dynamite in every place of worship.
Indeed, we live in the era of egotism and the age of the Sufyani, where those who appear devout and exploit religious values do not refrain from committing every kind of oppression. It is a tragedy that, as described in the hadith, many wearing the guise of piety blindly follow these tyrants. Let us once again turn to Mehmet Akif’s words:
It is neither knowledge nor conscience that elevates morality,
The sense of virtue in humans stems from the fear of God.
Imagine the fear of the Almighty withdrawn from hearts;
Neither knowledge nor conscience would retain any influence.
Life would become bestial, no, far lower than that.
In such a time, maintaining a steadfast direction in thoughts and emotions, walking the straight path without deviation, and remaining loyal to one’s principles bring far greater rewards than during ordinary times. It is essential to remember: “Truth is supreme and nothing can surpass it.” Therefore, if not today, truth will inevitably prevail tomorrow. While disbelief may persist, oppression cannot endure. As the Qur’an states, Allah will not grant success to oppressors. Throughout history, neither ancient nor modern tyrants have ever been everlasting. You will see—today’s oppressors will also collapse. They will have destroyed not only their worldly reputations but also their eternal hereafter. May Allah protect us from following in their footsteps! Hence, we must never fall into despair.
Leave the liars, the slanderers, those who defame the innocent, discredit those who serve religion, and mix truth with falsehood to Allah. Entrust them to Him with the prayer: “Allahumme aleyke bihim” (O Allah, deal with them). For the All-Hearing and All-Seeing Lord knows and witnesses everything. Just as He tests oppressors, He also tests the innocent with patience. Through these trials, He reveals us to ourselves. If we believe that the path we are walking leads to Allah and His Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then we must face these tribulations with patience, endure every adversity, and persevere.
Who knows what beauties are hidden for us in the divine plan? We must always maintain our positive thoughts about Allah. Even when the skies grow dark, the season turns to winter, the clamor of oppressors fills the air, and the groans of the oppressed echo around us, we might suddenly see a dawn breaking on the horizon. Regardless of circumstances, looking to the future with hope is the attitude of a true believer.
[1] Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the chief hypocrite in Medina during the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.