Why Do Some People Show Enmity Towards Religion?

The animosity some people harbor towards religion is a complex and deeply rooted phenomenon, aspects of which are extensively addressed in the Holy Quran. This enmity is not merely limited to denying the existence of God or the truthfulness of prophets; rather, it sometimes escalates into obstinacy, contention, and even efforts to dismantle religious teachings. The Quran, with its eloquent and profound discourse, unveils the reasons behind this aversion and hostility, tracing its roots deep within the human psyche and external influences. One of the primary reasons highlighted by the Quran is arrogance and pride (kibr and istikbar). Arrogant individuals, who deem themselves superior to others or even to divine commands, are unwilling to accept the truth. They believe that embracing religion entails submission to a higher power, which clashes with their ego and self-aggrandizement. Iblis (Satan) was the first being to refuse to prostrate before Adam out of pride, subsequently being expelled from divine mercy. The Holy Quran states in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 34: “And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers." This verse clearly indicates that the root of the first act of disobedience in existence was arrogance. Pharaoh serves as a prominent example of human arrogance against divine invitation, which ultimately led to his downfall and destruction. Pride is a formidable barrier to accepting guidance, as an arrogant individual perceives themselves as self-sufficient and rejects any message that does not align with their preconceived notions. This arrogance can stem from social status, wealth, superficial knowledge, or even lineage and tribe, blinding the individual from perceiving the truth. It creates an impenetrable veil over the heart, preventing divine light from entering and illuminating the path of righteousness. The Quran repeatedly warns against this perilous trait, emphasizing that only those who humble themselves before God can truly attain wisdom and salvation. Another significant reason is the excessive love for worldly life and materialism (hubb al-dunya and materialism). Some individuals become so engrossed in the transient pleasures and deceptive allure of this world that they perceive any divine call towards moderation and piety as contrary to their worldly interests, thus rising in enmity against it. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that this world is but a fleeting enjoyment, and the Hereafter is superior and everlasting. However, attachment to worldly possessions can be so strong that it blinds a person's insight and prevents them from comprehending spiritual realities. In Surah At-Tawbah, verse 24, Allah states: “Say, 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth which you have obtained, and the commerce in which you fear decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.'" This verse explicitly illustrates that when the love of worldly matters surpasses the love for Allah and His Messenger, grave consequences ensue, potentially leading to enmity towards religion. These individuals are willing to deny any spiritual truth and contend against it for the sake of preserving their material gains. Their vision becomes narrow, limited only to what they can grasp in this transient life, rendering them deaf to the eternal call of the divine. This strong attachment to fleeting pleasures makes them resentful of any discipline or restriction that faith imposes for their ultimate good. Furthermore, following desires and blind ignorance (ittiba' al-hawa and jahl) play a crucial role. Religion calls humanity to observe divine limits and control carnal desires. However, some individuals are unwilling to relinquish their absolute freedom of the self and structure their lives solely based on immediate pleasures. When religion imposes restrictions on them, they oppose it. This adherence to desires is often accompanied by ignorance and a lack of proper understanding of the philosophy of religion. An ignorant person, without contemplation or reason, rejects anything that does not align with their inclinations. The Quran, in numerous verses, emphasizes that many disbelievers and deniers follow nothing but conjecture, assumptions, and carnal desires, without true knowledge. Surah Al-Furqan, verse 43, states: “Have you seen he who takes his god his [own] desire? Then would you be responsible for him?" This indicates that when desires replace reason and faith, a person deviates and even becomes hostile towards truth. Ignorance can stem from an unwillingness to seek knowledge or from the influence of environment and improper upbringing. Those who, without investigation and out of fanaticism, inherit erroneous teachings from their ancestors, may resist the truth. They choose comfort in their inherited falsehoods over the challenging path of truth and self-discovery. Finally, satanic whispers and misguidance by human and jinn devils (wasawis al-shaytan and misguidance by shayatīn al-ins wal-jinn) play a significant part. Satan is humanity's manifest enemy, constantly striving to divert individuals from the right path and lead them towards disbelief and obstinacy. These whispers can manifest as doubts, deceptive worldly allurements, or instigation to sin and disobedience. Human devils, who are wicked and deviant individuals, also lead people astray from religion by beautifying falsehood and promoting misguided ideas. The Quran explicitly refers to the evil of the whispering tempter (Al-Waswas Al-Khannas) in Surah An-Nas, who whispers into the hearts of people. Moreover, in Surah Al-An'am, verse 112, it states: “And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy - devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion.” This verse illustrates that not only jinn devils but also malevolent humans, by embellishing falsehood and using deceptive words, engage in misguiding people and fostering animosity towards religion. These devils instill doubts, distort truths, and exaggerate errors, thereby paving the way for people to turn away from faith. They exploit human weaknesses and vulnerabilities, making the path of deviation seem appealing and logical, while painting faith as restrictive and irrational. In summary, enmity towards religion results from multiple factors rooted in arrogance and pride, excessive attachment to worldly life, following desires and ignorance, as well as satanic whispers and conspiracies. Understanding these factors can help us approach this phenomenon with a deeper insight and discover ways to counteract it; ways that involve inviting to contemplation, promoting knowledge and understanding, and strengthening faith and patience against temptations. Realizing that faith is not merely a restriction but rather brings true freedom and lasting peace can dispel many misunderstandings and animosities. The Quran has illuminated the path of guidance, but accepting it requires a receptive heart, a truth-seeking soul, and a strong will to overcome internal and external obstacles.