The status of “religious figures” among our common folk is revered, despite the fact that religion itself does not have clergy. Religion has prophets and messengers sent by God with messages and laws suited to different eras and environments, addressing prevalent ailments and diseases.
Religion also has followers who believe in its message, both men and women, and it has scholars who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to understanding it. Among these are knowledgeable individuals and devout worshippers.
Yet, none of them are sacred; they are human, even if they lived during the time of the message. Followers of religion are judged by their actions, behavior, and piety, not merely by their words and narrations. Only God knows the true intentions within each of us.
Their sanctity is not derived from a hadith they narrated or a book they wrote; they eat and drink, have desires, and are plagued by doubts and temptations just like us.
Therefore, we should never bestow upon them a title that contradicts religion, namely “clergy,” for there is no priesthood in Islam.
The scene of Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Yaqoub, one of these “preachers,” in court—regardless of the circumstances of the trial, the judges, or the political context—reveals their humanity, stripping them of any false sanctity.
They, like us, fear authority, lie, and evade the truth because they are human, fearing people and suffering as people do.
This scene might serve as a lesson to those who sanctify “preachers” or those “affiliated” with religion, encouraging them to strip away this false sanctity and judge them based on their worth, actions, and behavior, not merely by the lessons they teach.
Many of these individuals, and I hope no one is offended by this, are followers and imitators, despite some holding high degrees.
This may be because they do not see room for independent reasoning and intellectual engagement in interpreting religious texts. I emphasize “interpreting religious texts” here, despite the Quran’s call for contemplation, reasoning, and reflection.
This sometimes stems from the limited education they have received, like our Sheikh who mentioned holding a “Diploma in Teaching.” There is no shame in that. However, these individuals often lean towards following and imitation because they have not received enough “secular” education to open the windows of their minds to intellectual engagement with what they read. It is easier for them to accept narration rather than understanding, especially if the knowledge they study is known in our culture as religious sciences or the sciences of religion. Does religion involve intellectual engagement? That is their mindset.
Regardless of the intentions behind the Sheikh’s appearance in court, it revealed to us that he is human, capable of making mistakes, evading the truth, and showing weakness.
Did the court intend to reveal the Sheikh’s humanity and strip away his sanctity?
Only God knows, and He alone is sacred.
