The Call of the Prophets

Today’s preachers and “religious” teachers are in no way compatible with the original messengers of Allah.  Their messages do not have the same impact or aims of the messengers they claim to be representing.

For example, modern preachers and “religious” teachers call people towards “spiritual” enlightenment and moral development. Their followers are lulled into a “religious” sleep that does not interact with outward community development. To the faithful, social events are viewed either as “political” or “religious” affairs devoid of any interconnection. God’s Laws are taught as personal and impractical subjective decrees mainly useful for moral character building not for everyday practical management of social life. This method enables the faithful to easily subject themselves to the rule of acknowledged wrongdoers without sparking conflicts. Today’s believers have no expectations of achieving imminent   social change and are being taught not to expect any within their lifetime. According to contemporary “religious” dogma, all scores will be settled in the “hereafter”.

The messengers of Allah did not call towards spirituality. They called for social change, on the personal and community level. They appealed to the individual to change characteristics and behavior from negative traits to positive traits that benefited both the individual and the community. To the leaders they pointed out the destructive trends being encouraged in the society and the imminent or current harm such behaviors were bringing to the people.  The impact of their messages was such that they were recognized as beacons for social change by everyone who encountered them.  They were catalysts for social upheaval and the entrenchment of moral law. Compared to contemporary preachers and “religious” teachers, they would be considered “radical elements” in today’s societies.

This accounts for the hostile reactions that every messenger encountered from the political leaders and beneficiaries of their contemporary societies.  At first the ignorant residents were horrified by the results of the teachings of the messengers. Although they were not calling for any conflict with the rulers, they were directing the people to abandon the harmful traditions and practices that were so profitable to the ruling classes. In many situations, this was automatically considered to be threatening to the contemporary social and community structures and their philosophies elicited a hostile response from the authorities. Using the Biblical story of John the Baptist (peace be on him), portrayed as a rustic preacher in his time, it can be clearly seen that the venomous reaction of the ruling classes clearly resulted in his beheading. Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that John (pbuh) was inciting anyone to riots or social disobedience. Compared to John (pbuh), Jesus (pbuh) must have been characterized as a “terrorist”. He was mobile and outspoken wherever he travelled, educating crowds of listeners as he went. Is it any wonder that he was pursued by spies and hunted by the authorities throughout his mission?

In today’s society, our preachers and “religious” teachers are the rulers’ chambermaids.  They are openly courted by seekers of political power.  Although their congregations are expansive, their social influences are minimal and their political clout is non-existent.  When necessary, the politicians use them to rubber-stamp offensive legislation, thus diffusing any would-be objections from the people.  So many contemptible issues exist within most congregations that followers are too busy rectifying internal conflicts to venture out to correct any immoral issues occurring in their societies.  

 As in times past, Unbelievers everywhere are vigilant against the call of the prophets.  Hidden within organized “religion”, their instigators are ever watchful and ready at short notice to denounce and destroy any deviant from “official” dogma. They are heavily armed and ready to attack “religious fanatics” anywhere. All believers need to recognize that this battle will never stop. But, although the armaments are different now, the rejecters of Faith will never realize that they cannot silence the call of the prophets.