Abdul Ahmad Erfani, a researcher in Islamic studies, says that the instrumental use of religion in politics can distance people from religious figures and religious values.
According to the researcher, when religion is used as a tool for political competition, gaining power, or justifying government decisions, the boundary between religious values and political interests may disappear. As a result, some people may become disillusioned with the actions of religious figures and even with political interpretations of religion.
From an Islamic perspective, incorporating religious values into social and political life is not the same as the “instrumental use of religion.” Islamic teachings emphasize justice, trustworthiness, honesty, consultation, and respect for people’s rights. Political power should also serve justice and the public interest, rather than turning religion into a means of pursuing personal or political interests.
From an Islamic perspective, attributing political views and decisions to Islam when they are based on political interests or personal interpretations may also cause people to fail to distinguish between the principles of religion and the actions of religious individuals. For this reason, a number of Muslim scholars have emphasized the need to distinguish religious teachings and values from the political behavior and decisions of individuals.
This discussion comes at a time when, in several Muslim-majority countries, the relationship between religion, government, and politics remains an important social and intellectual issue.
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