Doing good in the world, helping people in need, respecting all human beings regardless of their ethnic and cultural backgrounds and embracing high values and morals is the central message of our faith. Needless to add that good manners and values constitute the common ground of all divine religions, something perfectly in harmony with the message of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) — who said, “I was sent to perfect honourable morals.”
The message of Islam is clear and simple. However, modern times have seen the growing phenomenon of Islamic preachers. At the very beginning, let us clarify that being a religious leader or scholar is a big responsibility and while some men of learning do justice to this title, not all are qualified to carry the mantle. Not only do these clerics distort the name of religion, they do more harm than good. With their poor knowledge and narrow minds, they mislead people rather than guiding them to the right path.
The concept of preacher and calling the believers to Allah in Islam has differed significantly from what was previously known about preachers and how people used to understand and interact with them. Today’s preacher takes preaching as a career and is professional about communicating with his audience through an administrative mediator who manages his relations and financial affairs.
None of us ever imagined that the call to Allah would take such a turn and become a form of panoramic fantasia via satellite TV channels. Today, some preachers exercise their work from resorts in Europe, while some others have started promoting their own brands of perfumes, incense and attire. Despite such a shallow way of preaching that insults this sublime profession, one can simply avoid this by not watching these channels.
Yet, the most dangerous among these preachers are ones who mislead us, who allow themselves to promote radical ideas and incite violence; by justifying killing and destruction. These kind of scholars are mentioned in a Prophetic saying (Hadith): “Most frightening is what I fear for my Ummah from every eloquent hypocrite.”
Without mentioning names, today’s preachers have become successful business persons. In fact, they realise that and do not even deny it. They have staggering incomes, contracts with satellite channels and lavish lifestyles.
According to Forbes magazine, a preacher from the GCC, signed a one-year contract worth $12 million (Dh44 million) with an Arabic TV channel last year. Another preacher from a North African country signed a contract for the same amount with another Arabic TV station. These huge contracts surpass the salaries of even movie stars and football players but that is not the point I want to make. Preachers are expected to teach piety and humility, something the modern-day evangelists lack.
Preachers nowadays make their fortunes from several sources, including issuing fatwas, speeches, radio and TV programmes, CDs and books, in addition to their frenetic search for fame. Likening preaching to selling a product that needs to be marketed in a proper business manner, an Islamic scholar, who is a graduate from an American University, told Forbes magazine recently: “Today, we manage the call to Allah as traders manage their business”.
Another one told the same magazine, “Islam doesn’t mean poverty”, noting that many of Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) companions were well to do. He told the magazine that he does not mind collecting money and spending it in halal. The funniest answer came from a preacher who he was asked, “Why don’t you quit since you have become old? He answered that “Preachers are heirs of the prophets, did you ever hear about a prophet who retired?
For scholars and preachers, who are innocent of the charges of collecting money, this topic casts aspersions on their profession, and sparks an uproar among people. Moreover, something like this is not in their favour and harms their noble work. Even worse is that good preachers may fall victim to people’s doubts as they risk being stereotyped. People are no longer blind or silent as before as they have become more conscious, mindful and understanding.
On the other side, preachers’ reluctance to do their job properly has its own drawbacks. Anyone, whether a preacher, trader or from the public, has the right to increase and diversify his sources of income by adopting legitimate ways called for by all divine religions, including Islam.
It is important to regulate the preaching work that often surpasses its reasonable and accepted boundaries to fall into ideological stereotypes.
Preachers, who see everything around them as haram and incorrect pose a big threat to the entire society. These kind of preachers must be countered in various ways and means. We need to go back to the basic essence of religion — which is piety and tolerance and avoid falling for fake leaders who make a fortune at our expense.
Mohammad Hassan Al Harbi is a renowned columnist and author whose writings cover various fields ranging from media studies to education.
