KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — The term ‘religious exploitation’ is more appropriate and objective than ‘riding on religion’ to describe the act of misusing religion for worldly interests, said Federal Territories Mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil.

He said the term ‘riding on religion’ should not be used indiscriminately as it could lead to generalisations about religious figures, including scholars and preachers who sincerely champion the cause of Islam.

The term ‘religious exploitation’ focuses more specifically on the act of misusing religion to gain wealth, influence or position, while also more clearly illustrating the existence of those who take advantage and those who are deceived.

“On the other hand, the term ‘riding’ has a negative and harsh connotation and tends to carry elements of sarcasm and personal accusations against the perpetrator.

“The term ‘religious exploitation’ more accurately describes the power structure in this phenomenon, namely the existence of those who take advantage (exploit) and those who are exploited (members of the public who are deceived or misled), in line with the actual meaning of the evidence from the Quran and Sunnah,” he said in the Tinta Mufti column published by the Federal Territories Mufti Department today.

Ahmad Fauwaz said the exploitation of religion was prohibited and condemned in the Quran, including through verses in Surah At-Taubah and Surah Al-Baqarah, both of which illustrate forms of religious exploitation that occur when religion is manipulated as a tool to obtain wealth and worldly interests, an act that is reprehensible as it exploits the name of Allah for personal gain.

He said the Prophet Muhammad also warned against those who use religion to deceive people for worldly interests, as narrated by al-Tirmidhi, which means: “At the end of time, a group of men will emerge who deceive people by using religion to obtain worldly gains... their tongues are sweeter than sweets, while their hearts are the hearts of wolves.”

Ahmad Fauwaz said the hadith described individuals who present themselves as knowledgeable and pious to gain the trust of the community, while using religion as a guise to obtain money, influence or position.

In this regard, he advised the public not to be easily deceived by outward appearances, but instead to conduct proper checks before placing their trust, wealth or obedience in any individual who uses religion as a tool for personal gain.

At the same time, he reminded those involved in preaching, religious knowledge and religious work to always maintain sincerity and fulfil their responsibilities solely for the sake of Allah and to attain His pleasure. — Bernama