The Use of Religion to Justify Oppression: How Islamic Governments Enforce Control

Introduction: Faith as a Tool of Control

Throughout history, religion has often been used to justify oppression, but few systems are as explicitly designed for this purpose as Islamic governance under Sharia law. In many Muslim-majority countries, religious doctrine is not just a matter of personal faith — it is the foundation of legal, political, and social control. Women are denied basic rights. Minorities are persecuted. Free speech is suppressed. And all of this is done in the name of God.

But how does Islam — a religion that claims to promote justice and compassion — become a tool of oppression? Why do Islamic governments continue to use religion as a weapon against their own people? This post will explore the mechanisms through which Islamic governments use religious doctrine to justify oppressive laws, from the restriction of women’s rights to the persecution of minorities.

1. The Oppression of Women: Religious Justification for Gender Inequality

1.1. The Doctrine of Male Superiority

The Quran explicitly establishes men as the guardians of women:
- Quran 4:34:
  - "Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth."
This verse is the foundation of a patriarchal system in which women are considered inferior to men.
In many Islamic countries, this verse is used to justify:
- Unequal rights in marriage and divorce.
- Limited access to education and employment for women.
- Restrictions on women's freedom of movement.

1.2. The Hijab and Forced Modesty

Islamic governments often impose strict dress codes on women, claiming it is a religious obligation:
- Iran: Women are legally required to wear the hijab, and "morality police" enforce this law with violence and imprisonment.
- Saudi Arabia: Until recently, women were forbidden to drive or travel without a male guardian.
These laws are justified using verses from the Quran:
- Quran 24:31:
  - "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not display their adornment except what [must ordinarily] appear thereof."

1.3. The Denial of Women’s Autonomy

In many Islamic countries, women need the permission of a male guardian (father, husband, or brother) for:
- Marriage.
- Travel.
- Accessing higher education.
- Even undergoing medical procedures.
This system of male guardianship is rooted in Islamic law and justified through religious teachings.

2. The Persecution of Religious Minorities: Forced Submission or Second-Class Status

2.1. The Jizya Tax: Paying for Protection

Non-Muslims (Jews, Christians, and other religious minorities) living under Islamic rule are considered "dhimmis" (protected people) but are required to pay a special tax known as Jizya.
This tax is justified in the Quran:
- Quran 9:29:
  - "Fight those who do not believe in Allah... until they pay the Jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued."
Jizya is not just a financial burden — it is a symbol of humiliation and subjugation, a reminder that non-Muslims are second-class citizens.

2.2. Forced Conversion and Religious Intolerance

Islamic history is filled with examples of forced conversions:
- Hindus in India: During the Mughal period, many were forced to convert to Islam under threat of death.
- Christians in the Middle East: The Ottoman Empire used the devshirme system, forcibly converting Christian boys to Islam and training them as Janissaries.
In modern times, minorities in countries like Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria face constant pressure to convert to Islam.
Apostasy (leaving Islam) is considered a capital crime in many Islamic countries:
- Saudi Arabia: Apostasy is punishable by death.
- Iran: Apostates are imprisoned, tortured, or executed.
- Pakistan: Blasphemy laws are used to target religious minorities.

2.3. The Destruction of Non-Muslim Heritage

Islamic governments have a long history of destroying the cultural and religious heritage of non-Muslim populations:
- The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan (2001) by the Taliban.
- The destruction of Hindu temples in India during the Mughal period.
- The desecration of Christian churches and Yazidi temples in Iraq and Syria by ISIS.
These acts are justified using Quranic verses that condemn idolatry:
- Quran 21:52:
  - "When he said to his father and his people, 'What are these statues to which you are devoted?'"

3. The Suppression of Free Speech: Blasphemy Laws and Censorship

3.1. Blasphemy Laws: A Tool for Religious Control

In many Muslim-majority countries, criticizing Islam, Muhammad, or the Quran is considered blasphemy, punishable by imprisonment, flogging, or even death:
- Pakistan: Blasphemy is a capital crime, and mere accusations can lead to mob violence.
- Saudi Arabia: Blasphemy is punished by public flogging or execution.
- Iran: Critics of Islam are imprisoned, tortured, or executed.

3.2. The Persecution of Reformers and Free Thinkers

Those who question Islamic teachings or advocate for reform are often silenced:
- Raif Badawi (Saudi Arabia): A Saudi blogger sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for criticizing Islam.
- Avijit Roy (Bangladesh): An atheist writer hacked to death for his critical views on Islam.
- Salman Rushdie: An Indian-British author who has lived under a death threat since 1989 due to his novel "The Satanic Verses."
This censorship is justified using Islamic teachings that forbid "insulting the Prophet" or "spreading mischief in the land."

4. The Suppression of Critical Thinking and Free Inquiry

4.1. Quranic Verses That Discourage Questioning

Quran 5:101:
- "O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are shown to you, will distress you."
Quran 33:36:
- "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair."
These verses discourage critical thinking and independent inquiry, establishing blind obedience as the foundation of faith.

4.2. The Role of Islamic Scholars: Enforcing Orthodoxy

Islamic scholars (Ulema) serve as gatekeepers of religious doctrine, suppressing any interpretation that challenges their authority.
The Mu'tazila Movement (8th–10th century), which emphasized reason and free will, was violently suppressed by later Islamic rulers.
Scholars like Al-Ghazali (1058–1111) declared philosophy a threat to faith, insisting on blind obedience to religious doctrine.

5. The Verdict: Religion as a Weapon of Control

Islamic governments use religion as a weapon — a tool to justify oppression, silence dissent, and maintain control over their populations. Women are treated as second-class citizens. Religious minorities are persecuted. Free speech is criminalized. Critical thinking is condemned. And all of this is done in the name of a "divine" system that cannot be questioned.

For those who value freedom, equality, and human rights, Islamic governance is a model of oppression. It is a system that transforms faith into fear, obedience into submission, and knowledge into ignorance.

Refuting Islam

Thursday, May 8, 2025