Difference Between Correct Ghayrah and Fanatical Zeal
- Muiz As-Siddeeqi
- Jun 21
- 1 min read
Difference Between Correct Ghayrah and Fanatical Zeal
In every generation, there are those who claim to be the “protectors of Islām.”
They rage.
They shout.
They fight — even kill — in the name of “honour” for the dīn.
But the Salafi understands:
Ghayrah (protective jealousy for Islām) is not the same as ghuluw (excessive zeal).
Correct ghayrah is guided by knowledge, wisdom, and fear of Allah.
Fanatical zeal is reckless, emotional, and leads to oppression — often in the name of “revival.”
Look at the Khawārij — then and now.
They thought they were defending Islām.
They claimed they had the most ghayrah for Allah’s religion.
But in reality, they:
Declared takfīr on Muslims
Rebelled against rulers
Spilled blood unjustly
Went against the Prophet ﷺ’s instructions
Were labeled by him ﷺ: “Dogs of the Hellfire”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah, 173 – Authentic]
The Companions had ghayrah — but it was rooted in revelation.
The Khawārij had rage — and it was rooted in ignorance.
Many people think they are commanding good and forbidding evil, but in fact they are commanding according to their desires and forbidding according to their ignorance.
The Salafi path teaches balanced ghayrah — driven by taqwā, not temper.
So beware:
Loud doesn’t mean right.
Passion doesn’t mean purity.
Killing in the name of Islām doesn’t make you a mujāhid — it might make you a Khārijī.
Let your ghayrah be upon the way of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions — not the way of the emotional and misguided.
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