MUI Urges Corruptors to Repent Before It's Too Late

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Buya Anwar Abbas, has reminded perpetrators of corruption to repent without delay and return all wealth obtained through illegitimate means to those rightfully entitled to it. According to him, corruption is a grave sin that not only harms society but also brings severe punishment in the hereafter, as warned in the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Buya Anwar said that human beings come into this world not of their own volition but by the will of God. Therefore, one must ask God about His purpose in bringing humans into this world.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: ‘Wa mā khalaqtul-jinna wal-insa illā liya‘budūn(i)’ — ‘I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me’ (QS Az-Zariyat, verse 56).

“This means we are required to live and fill our lives with things that He desires. So what does God want from us? Allah SWT hopes for us to become people of faith and piety,” Buya Anwar told Republika on Thursday (23/7/2026).

The MUI deputy chairman stressed that being a person of faith means being asked by God to believe in His existence and, at the same time, to believe in Him. The logical consequence of believing in Him is that one must become pious — someone who always heeds all of His provisions by following His commands and avoiding all that He forbids.

“One of God’s prohibitions is taking and consuming something that is not rightfully ours. In Islam, something can only become ours if we obtain it through lawful means or in ways sanctioned by religious teaching,” said Buya Anwar.

Conversely, Buya Anwar said, a claim over wealth is forfeited if that wealth is obtained through illegitimate means or in violation of religious provisions, such as through corruption. Thus, in Islam, corruption is a practice that is strongly condemned because it is an act of injustice.

For that reason, corruption is counted among the grave sins, as it harms many people. Such is God’s wrath towards such people that those who practise corruption will, on the Day of Judgement, be punished by God with severe torment — the perpetrator of corruption will come before God bearing the wealth they stole.

Buya Anwar explained that in one hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the perpetrator of ghulul (corruption) will come on the Day of Resurrection carrying the wealth he corrupted upon his shoulders, after which the angel will cast it, along with him, into the fire of hell.