Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin warned religious leaders not to let themselves, the name of God and religion be used by the powers-that-be as the "opium" to dull the masses.

He noted that in the Muslim world today, religious leaders are often seen on the same stage as those in power.

“Indeed those in power often dress themselves in the fabric of religion and speak words of religion," said the mufti in a statement today.

"This is all to portray that the grace of God is with them. Unfortunately, in the corruption index, as well as on the scale of good governance, the Muslim world is ranked at disappointing levels.

"This despite Islam damning those who engage in graft and demands good governance from its adherents," he said.

Asri reminded religious leaders that their role is not to become yes-men to the powerful nor to find religious grounds to justify the actions of those in power who are insincere to the rakyat.

"If that is the case, then religion has become a tragedy, and not a boon for mankind," he said.

'Separate religion from politics'

Asri said that such practices would be like fulfilling Karl Marx's assertion that religion is the opiate for the masses, lulling them from rising up against oppression and abuse of power, and sullying the name of God who should be above all that.

Asri said that in a developed nation with high integrity, no priest or syeikh or mufti will need to appear on the same stage with those in power.

Those in power will not need to be propped by religious theatrics as their transparency, integrity, and good governance follow what God asks of those entrusted with power.

He added that it is better to separate religion from politics to preserve the sanctity of the faith, and prevent it from being used as tools by those in power.

"Sometimes separating religion from politics so that the name of God will not become the playthings of politicians, is better than pursuing politics in the name of religion and letting the name of God be used by those in power for their own ends," said Asri.

He warned that allowing those in power to abuse religion may adversely affect the religion's image and dishearten the faithful.

"Thus, do not be surprised if there are those among the Muslims themselves who will lose their heart in the religion.

"This is because those who claim to uphold the faith have been using it like opium to numb the masses from reality," the mufti said.