Islamic clerics and politics: My own opinion

By Ahmed Muhammad Bedu

I am suspicious of any Muslim Imam or cleric who is always hobnobbing with politicians. If I see you with politicians, being invited to their gatherings, having fundraisers with them all the time, taking pictures with them, then I lose confidence in your ability as an honest Islamic Scholar, Imam or leader. I know certain Muslims call those Sheikhs the establishment ulama.

The society is rotten because the Ulama have gone close to politicians, have allowed themselves to be used as Charity Washers for ill-gotten wealth.

There are two purveyors of mischief the Ulama must stay far from: tribal-related issues and political leadership. Politicians will bribe the clergy and scholars with gifts, sumptuous donations and rides. Once the hungry scholar is used to the good things in life, piety will take a back seat. “Bakin da ya hambiɗi gari, ba ya fito” ‘you can’t whistle when your mouth is filled with cornflour’, this is the norm. It’s very hard for those Sheikhs who benefited from Waqf contributions from politicians to tell the truth about that politician who brought millions of Naira and a crowd with full pockets.

It’s very hard for a Sheikh whose son or daughter was awarded a 4-year bursary by the local political chieftains to talk truth to them.
The Sheikhs who are beneficiaries of political largesse are actively playing Sheikhl roles in mobilising electorate where lies are told and conspiracies are hatched against other non supporters. This is a tragedy.

Our Ulama must come back to their senses. To the Bukhari edict of, “Knowledge does not seek, it’s Sought”. They must come back to Nawawi’s approach of avoiding even littlest of doubt. They must join Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal in his refusal to compromising with the Abbasid Caliphs. They must read Al-Ghazali and Ibn Jawzi’s opinions on dangers of Scholars being attached to rulers.

They must avoid this “disease of the heart”. We have too many “Ulama al-sultan” and very few “Alim rabbani”.
The kind of scholars who are always in the company of politicians and other government officials, who benefit from contributions and huge Waqf buildings are very dangerous people to the society. They give religious legitimacy to corruption and oppression.

Islam doesn’t need beautiful buildings and fantastic decorated Mosques. Mohamed (P.B.U.H) did not pray on decorated Persian rugs in Mosques with golden minarets. The society doesn’t need beautiful Mosques built with questionable funds, any Mosque even made of mud and twigs will do. The competition for Waqf buildings and therefore politicians’ funds is corroding our society’s values.
Becoming a scholar is a voluntary undertaking.

Everybody is expected to have sufficient knowledge for worship and life. If you volunteer to spend your time leading people, you should avoid anything that could lead them astray. It’s expected that the ulama will keep a healthy distance from the corrupting influence of politicians. Hobnobbing with rulers is a sign of loving worldly enjoyment and disdain for the calling.