Religion, Irreligion, Religious Irreligiosity, and Secularism — Four Distinct Paradigms

Religion, Irreligion, Religious Irreligiosity, and Secularism — Four Distinct Paradigms

In the Western world, reason is given preference over revelation (wahy).

In contrast, many among our religious class prioritize the commandments of lustful religious clerics over the actual Divine Commands — and follow them blindly.

Our religious elite have made a mockery of this entire concept. Instead of deriving the meaning of irreligion from the Qur’an and the teachings of Islam, they have borrowed it from Western literature, philosophy, and culture. Consequently, they have diverted the attention and minds of the people towards Western thought and lifestyle — to hide their own irreligion and religious irreligiosity, and to safeguard their own interests.

Now, when the educated youth question or critique this religious elite and their blind followers, they are labeled as enemies. Things have come to a point where our religious class has become almost irredeemable, unless they derive the meaning of irreligion from within the framework of their own faith and sincerely engage in self-reform. Otherwise, they will remain distanced from religion and, in truth, become enemies of Islam.

Our educated youth, especially the younger generation, must understand this:

Unlike other religions, Islam leaves no room for an institutional religious clergy. All the religious rights and duties that are concentrated in the hands of a specific priestly class in other religions have been granted to every individual Muslim in Islam.

Every Muslim is equally responsible and accountable for upholding Divine commandments. We are not bound by the man-made interpretations, fatwas, and laws of self-declared religious authorities.

Islam recognizes no Brahmanism, no priesthood, no spiritual hierarchy.

My point is: The religious class must realize that they themselves are victims of irreligion. They must return to the Qur’an — read it, study it — and try to understand what religion and irreligion actually mean in the light of Divine Revelation. They must reject the self-fabricated shariah of the religious elite.

We must ask our religious leaders:  “What is the rational methodology for studying the Qur’an?”

They will never be able to satisfy you, because they are inert, unpracticing, and intellectually shallow. These religious elites are slaves to their own desires and selfishness, not adherents to the Divine Commands. They follow only their own fabricated interpretations and opinions.

For example, the Qur’an explicitly commands Muslims to remain united and avoid division, yet it is the religious class itself that has divided the Muslim ummah into countless sects and groups.

Each has created their own version of Islam, their own laws, their own “truth.” In my view, this too is irreligion — and when it is done in the name of religion, it becomes religious irreligiosity.

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This entire discourse is based on reason and grounded truth. If someone disagrees, they should engage in intellectual dialogue, raise logical questions, and pursue open discussion. Let us strive to reach higher truths — conclusions that benefit not just Muslims, but all of humanity.

Because Islam is not a religion of welfare for Muslims alone, it is a universal message for the well-being of all children of Adam (Bani Adam).