How can I avoid misusing religion, even unintentionally?

Avoiding the misuse of religion, even unintentionally, is a profound and crucial challenge for every believer on their spiritual journey. The Holy Quran, with its comprehensive and foundational teachings, provides clear pathways to prevent such errors, whether deliberate or accidental. Fundamentally, Islam is not merely a collection of rituals and laws but a complete way of life built upon sincerity, justice, knowledge, and self-awareness. Any deviation from these principles can be considered a form of religious misuse, even if one's initial intention was positive. To better understand this issue and prevent it, we must pay close attention to several key Quranic principles, each addressing different layers of this challenge. 1. Sincerity in Intention and Action (Ikhlas): The most vital pillar in preventing the misuse of religion is sincerity. The Quran, in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verse 5, explicitly states: "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakat. And that is the correct religion." Sincerity means performing all actions and acts of worship solely for the pleasure of Allah, without any worldly goals, desire for fame, power, or seeking people's attention. When our intentions are not pure, even the best religious deeds can become tools for achieving personal aims. For example, an individual might pray, fast, or give charity, but subconsciously seek others' admiration or social status. Such actions, though outwardly religious, are in fact a form of instrumental use of religion because they lack pure intention. Preventing this requires continuous self-reflection and struggle against one's ego. 2. Religious Knowledge and Insight (Ilm): Another significant factor in the unintentional misuse of religion is ignorance and lack of insight. Many individuals, due to an incorrect understanding of religious concepts, resort to erroneous interpretations or superficial readings. This can lead to behaviors that appear religious but are actually contrary to the spirit and goals of religion. The Quran consistently emphasizes the importance of intellect, contemplation, and reflection on its verses. When a person, without sufficient knowledge, issues religious decrees, commits oppression in the name of religion, or promotes extremist ideas, even if they believe their intentions are good, they are misusing religion. For instance, someone might, out of ignorant bigotry and without sufficient research, accuse another of disbelief or violate their rights. To prevent this, it is essential to always seek correct knowledge from reliable and authenticated sources and avoid undue biases. 3. Upholding Justice and Fairness (Adl): Islam is a religion of justice, and the Quran repeatedly stresses the importance of justice in all aspects of life. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 135, we read: "O you who have believed, be persistently maintainers of justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you deviate. And if you distort [justice] or turn away, then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted." Misuse of religion is often accompanied by neglecting justice; it occurs when an individual or group, in the name of religion, prioritizes their personal or group interests over the rights of others. This can include justifying oppression, discrimination, or corruption. Even if a person unintentionally, due to negligence, infringes upon the rights of others and covers it with religious justifications, they are misusing religion. The solution is to constantly remind oneself of the principle of justice and fairness in all decisions and behaviors. 4. Avoiding Hypocrisy and Self-Deception: Hypocrisy (Nifaq) and ostentation (Riya') are among the greatest moral afflictions that directly lead to the misuse of religion. Although hypocrisy is often deliberate, sometimes an individual might unintentionally gravitate towards hypocritical behaviors without genuinely intending to deceive. This happens when a person prioritizes the outward appearance of their actions and people's opinions over the inner reality and God's view. For example, someone might perform good deeds to appear religious and good in the eyes of others, rather than to seek divine pleasure. The Quran strongly condemns hypocrites and shows that actions without truthfulness and pure intention are worthless. To avoid this trap, one must constantly review their intentions and make the primary goal of religious actions the pleasure of God, not people's praise and admiration. 5. Sound Thinking and Avoiding Extremism: Islam is a religion of moderation. Any form of extremism or negligence in religious matters can lead to unintentional misuse. Extremism might mean imposing undue strictness on oneself or others, forcing personal beliefs in the name of religion, or promoting violence. Negligence, on the other hand, might mean carelessness in fulfilling obligations, indifference towards religious laws, or justifying sins. Both extremes undermine the moderate spirit of the religion and can cause harm to individuals and society in the name of religion. For example, someone might become so rigid in the outward aspects of religion that they overlook the essence of kindness and forgiveness, which are pillars of faith. The solution is to follow the middle path and have a correct understanding of the Sharia and its objectives. Ultimately, preventing the misuse of religion, even unintentionally, requires deep self-awareness, correct religious knowledge, pure intention, and adherence to ethical principles and justice. This is a continuous process accompanied by self-reflection, repentance, seeking forgiveness, and reliance on God. The closer we come to the essence and spirit of religion – piety, good character, and service to creation – the less likely we are to fall into the trap of misusing it, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes that salvation and guidance depend on sincere and pure adherence to the path of truth, not merely outward conformity or instrumental use of it.