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What are we to do when those calling us to faith are the worst of us?

When the voices that claim to defend the deen are the ones that strip it of its beauty. When they speak the truth of the tongue, but the heart is dry. When they carry knowledge like a burden, not a light.

Where is the character of faith? It’s humility, honesty, integrity? Nowhere to be found. Only ego, self-aggrandisement and putting others down… And accidentally throwing the religion under the bus in the process.

Men who speak with confidence, quoting verses and narrations like swords — yet the humility of the Prophet, peace be upon him, cannot be found. No gentleness. No adab. No trembling before God.

They may have great knowledge, but lack wisdom. They know what faith requires but have not yet let it touch their hearts. Instead they have become performers, like clowns in a circus.

All we have is prancing about. Ego on full display. A kind of religious theatre, where the loudest applause comes from ridicule, not reflection.

Who now reflects on the words of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who reportedly said, “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.”

Instead, here we are, with people exemplifying the worst of manners being platformed as leaders. As spokesmen for deen. As dawah influencers. People who turn the religion into content, turning people into enemies, and disagreement into drama.

But the Quran warns us clearly:

“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? It is most hateful to God that you say what you do not do.” — Quran 61:2-3

Could there be anything more dangerous or disappointing than preaching the deen while behaving in a way that drives people away from it?

How often have we seen harshness justified as ghayrah (protective jealousy for the faith)? Arrogance mistaken for strength. Name-calling dressed up as candour. And when challenged, fingers are pointed outward, never inward.

Contrast this to the behaviour of the Prophet, peace be upon him, when mocked, rejected and even beaten, who responded with magnaminous patience, silence and sincerity.

Did he shout people down or belittle them? On the contrary, even his anger — when it came — was never for his own ego, but only in response to the transgression of Allah’s boundaries. And even then, it was just.

In the Quran, we read, “And speak to people good words…” While our prophet, peace be upon him, reportedly said, “I was not sent except to perfect good character.”

So how did we end up here, where adab is seen as weakness, and bullying is seen as bravery? It’s hard not to feel disheartened, or even ashamed. Not of our faith, but of how it is represented.

The legacy of our Messenger, peace be upon him, was not loudness. Nor was it public takedowns or fiery debates. It was character, love and mercy. Mercy even to those who spat in his path. It was a heart that turned enemies into companions.

When the loudest voices fail us, we should remember the quiet strength of those who truly live this faith. Those who fear God more than they fear likes or followers. The ones who weep in secret, and speak with care.

At times like this, we must hold on to the beauty of this deen by embodying its truth with integrity. By holding ourselves to account before pointing fingers. By remembering that faith is found not in how loudly we speak, but in how deeply it touches our lives.

May Allah make us of those who carry the religion with sincerity, humility, and love, and protect us from becoming a fitnah for others. And may God guide the sincere to all that is good and virtuous.