In this quote by Abdul Rahman al-Kawakibi, the author discusses the relationship between despots and religious knowledge. He argues that despots do not fear religious sciences related to the afterlife, as they believe these teachings do not elevate understanding or remove ignorance. Instead, those who become obsessed with religious knowledge are distracted by it, consuming their lives and inflating their egos. The despots view these individuals as easily manipulated, using them to support their rule while deceiving them with false gestures of respect and superficial rewards. The author suggests that despots, although initially dismissive of religious knowledge, may use it for their own benefit when it suits their agenda.
Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi, a prominent Syrian Islamic reformer, highlighted in this quote the dangers of oppressive rulers manipulating religious knowledge for their own benefit. Although this was written in the late 19th century, the message still resonates today in various contexts where authoritarian regimes use religion to control and deceive their populations. This serves as a cautionary reminder to remain vigilant against the misuse of religious teachings for political gain.
This quote by Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi raises important questions about the manipulation of religious knowledge by oppressive rulers. Consider the following questions: