When Ego Speaks Louder Than Revelation: The Crisis of Complexity in Our Deen

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Introduction

Islam, by its divine nature, is a religion of clarity, balance, and mercy. Its principles are straightforward, its goals are pure, and its path is illuminated by the light of Tawheed and Sunnah. Yet, in our time—especially in parts of Nigeria—Islam is increasingly being disfigured by ego-driven interpretations, sectarian arguments, and a lack of wisdom among some of those who claim leadership in religious discourse.

The Simplicity of Islam Is Being Complicated by Personal Egos

Allah ﷻ revealed:

> "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion."

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

If the Deen is already perfected, then why are people making it complicated?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned:

> "What I fear most for my Ummah is a misguided scholar."

(Sunan al-Dārimī)

The ego of some scholars has turned matters of mercy into battlegrounds of pride. Fatwas are issued not to guide but to control. Debates are held not to clarify, but to defame. The community is left confused, disunited, and weary of the Deen itself.

Ego as a Hidden Idol

The Qur’an cautions us:

> "Have you seen the one who takes his desires as his god? 

Then would you be responsible for him?"

(Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:23)

The great Sufi master Imam Al-Ghazali (رحمه الله) said:

> "The greatest veil between man and his Lord is his ego. It blinds him from the truth and makes him think he is on guidance when he is astray."

When ego enters the heart of a scholar or da’i, his tongue becomes a tool of division, not guidance. He uses knowledge not as a ladder to Allah but as a weapon against others.

Sufist View: Wisdom over Argument

The Sufi path (Tariqah) has always emphasized inner purification, humility, and wisdom (hikmah). Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (RA) once said:

> “True scholarship is that which brings hearts together, not that which divides them in the name of pride and superiority.”

This wisdom is lost in modern discourse where scholars debate over minute jurisprudential differences, ignoring the spiritual and moral decay within our society.

The Qur'an says:

> "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best."

(Surah An-Nahl 16:125)

But instead of wisdom, we now see:

* Harsh language from minbars

* Sectarian rivalries

*Name-calling among Muslims

*Accusations of kufr or bid’ah without evidences.

All these come not from sincerity (ikhlas), but from ego (nafs).

The Nigerian Context: Disfigured Foundations

In Nigeria, the foundation of Islam was laid by sincere scholars and mystics who combined ilm (knowledge) and ma’rifah (gnosis). From Shehu Uthman Dan Fodio to Sheikh Ahmad Tijani and Sheikh Ibrahim Niyas, the emphasis was always on spiritual development, unity, and community upliftment.

Sadly, in recent times:

Islamic leadership has become politicized

Religious schools are led by untrained people.

The youth are caught between extreme ideologies and spiritual confusion

> "Do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. For them is a great punishment."

(Surah Aal Imran 3:105)

#. Where is the wisdom of the Salihin?

#. Where is the balance of the scholars of Haqq?

The Remedy: Returning to Ikhlas and Hikmah

What we need:

1. Sincerity in Speech and Action

Imam Junaid al-Baghdadi (RA) said:

> "Tasawwuf is not about words, it is about states. Whoever speaks much but acts little, his heart is dead."

2. Spiritual Training (Tazkiyyah)

Without purifying the soul, knowledge becomes a sword of arrogance.

Allah says:

> "He has succeeded who purifies it (the soul), and he has failed who corrupts it."

(Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10)

3. Unity and Mutual Respect

Difference of opinion (ikhtilaf) is not a curse—it’s a mercy, if handled with adab.

4. Reviving Local Wisdom

Our scholars must understand the Nigerian context, not merely copy foreign fatwas. We need a revival rooted in indigenous spiritual wisdom, Qur’an, and authentic Sunnah.

Conclusion

* We must ask ourselves:

* Are we using Islam to guide or to argue?

* Are we seeking truth or defending ego?

*Are we reflecting the Prophet ﷺ or our own desires?

Let us remember the words of Sheikh Ahmad Tijani (RA):

> "Do not waste your time in blame and fighting. Seek the Face of Allah through sincerity and love for your brothers."

A Prayer for Our Scholars and Ummah

اللهم أرنا الحق حقًا وارزقنا اتباعه، وأرنا الباطل باطلًا وارزقنا اجتنابه

O Allah, show us the truth as truth and give us the ability to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood and give us the ability to avoid it.

اللهم أصلح علماءنا، ووحّد صفوفنا، وطهّر قلوبنا من الرياء والكبرياء

O Allah, reform our scholars, unite our ranks, and purify our hearts from hypocrisy and arrogance.

آمين يا رب العالمين.

Author's Note:

This reflection is dedicated to the sincere seekers of knowledge and truth who believe Islam is a light of unity, not a tool of division. May Allah bless Nigeria and our scholars with wisdom, sincerity, and humility.

From:

Mukadam Habeebullah Olukolu-ZB Abolade (Amirul-Aoliyah - Baba Awori)