ESCHEWING THEOLOGIES OF HATE, EMBRACING LOVE: RECLAIMING HUMAN DIGNITY- BY PROFESSOR TIMEHIN S. OLUROTIMI

Today, I write to remind us all that the theology of hate which I spoke of last week is not limited to intra-faith encounters. It is indeed more pronounced in interfaith settings. *I, therefore, invite us on this Jum'ah to reflect on a shared responsibility: the urgent necessity of eschewing theologies of hate and reclaiming faith defined by love as a moral force for human growth.*

Theologies of hate do not usually announce themselves as hatred. They often present themselves as certainty, purity, or divine loyalty. *They thrive where sacred texts are torn from their moral ecosystems, where identity is elevated above compassion, and where the Sacred Name of Allah is invoked to silence conscience.*

Across religious traditions, we see similar patterns that birth theologies of hate -Muslims, Christians, Jews, and even the far-eastern creeds are all involved in the same enterprise which engenders: 

- Scriptures are selectively quoted but ethically disconnected.

- Difference is recast as threat.

- The “other” is reduced from a neighbour into an enemy.

Yet, when theology is devoid of love, it forgets mercy, and disconnects from Allah. When it legitimizes cruelty, it betrays the very sacredness it claims to defend.

*Despite our doctrinal differences, our traditions converge on a profound moral truth: human dignity is sacred*. The Qur’an affirms this truth clearly:

 “We have honoured the children of Adam” (17:70).

Eschewing theologies of hate does not mean erasing difference. *It only means that difference must be disciplined with ethics. It means moving beyond passive tolerance toward moral solidarity - standing together against injustice, even when it is committed in our own religious names.*

It requires, among other things, courageous religious leadership, context-aware theological education, reclaiming the language of love, mercy, justice, and humility, and teaching people, youths in particular, that true faith deepens humanity; it does not shrink it.

One truth we must not forget is that the future will judge our faiths not by the heights of our doctrines, but by the depths of our compassion. *So, the question before us is not whose theology is right, but whether our theologies heal or harm humanity.*

Let us firmly decide across pulpits, classrooms, and places of worship to eschew every theology that sanctifies hatred;  and let us strive to elevate every interpretation that honours life.

To our Muslim youth who currently champion this abnormality of hate theology on the social media, you are not just the future of Islam - you are its present; and the tone of our mosques, the language of our daʿwah, and the image of Islam in the world today are being shaped by you. That is why this conversation matters.

You can ask yourselves simple questions: when people meet you, do they meet the beauty of Islam 

or do they experience your anger? Do you remember that youth entails all phenomena? Youth is energy. Youth is growth. Youth is fire. But fire without direction burns the house it was meant to warm.

*Today, many of our young Muslims are being taught that the louder you shout, the stronger your faith; that insulting others is “strength"; that disagreement means deviation; and that mercy is a sign of weakness.*

This is not Islam. The Prophet (saw) said:

 “Gentleness (rifq) is not found in anything except that it beautifies it.” (Sahih Muslim)

"Rifq" translated as gentility here is a polysemic word which includes friendliness, simplicity, congeniality, and filial compassion.  We should therefore remember that if our daʿwah is harsh, it is not Islam that is harsh, it is our approach.

*Allah did not reveal His religion to make us bitter; He revealed it to make us better. Yet today, we seem to move towards the worst human qualities. The early Muslims were described with compassion, but here we are - soft on falsehood, harsh on the "other" and cruel to fellow Muslims.*

 

I need to assert here, especially to young minds searching for certainty:

- *Not everyone who disagrees with you is misguided.*

- *Not every different opinion or approach is bidʿah.*

- *Not every interpretation you diasagree with makes one an enemy of Islam.*

The Companions differed. The great Imams differed. And they still respected one another. Imām al-Shāfiʿī said:

*“I believe my opinion to be correct but it could be wrong, and the opinion of others may seem wrong to me but it could be correct.”*

*Beware of blind imitation. Respect your teachers and mentors, but remember that they are not infallible. Your reckoning on the day of Judgment has nothing to do with them. You are ultimately responsible for your fate in Allah’s presence.*

Therefore, protect your tongue;  protect your heart; and above all, protect your faith. Follow the prophetic model not online shows of shame.

Ask yourselves:

Was the Prophet (saw) sarcastic? Did he humiliate people? Did he win hearts by insults?

No.

*He was firm with falsehood, but gentle with people. He corrected with wisdom, not with reproach. If your Islam makes you arrogant, rude, and harsh, something is surely wrong with you. You are ambassadors of Islam in your mosques, zawiyahs, campuses, workplaces, and online spaces. Make yourselves worthy of the title.*

Eschewing theologies of hate means: 

- Choosing adab before argument

- Choosing character before comment sections

- Choosing healing over winning debates

Islamic Daʿwah is not about defeating others, it is about guiding hearts, starting with your own. Islam does not need angry defenders; it needs beautiful representatives.

*Let your Islam be something people miss when you are absent. Let your words soften hearts. Let your presence remind people of Allah*.

May Allah make you a generation that revives the Ummah with wisdom, humility, and mercy; a generation that carries Islam with light, not fire; a generation that proclaims love not hate.

 

When faith stands with love, Allah is not misrepresented, and when religion chooses mercy, humanity survives. *May Allah’s Mercy and Love define us all.*

Jum'ah Mubarakah. 

© PROFESSOR TIMEHIN SAHEED OLUROTIMI

-Nigeria