Why Plagiarism, False Titles, and Undeserved Recognition Are Eroding Community Trust—and How We Can Fix It
A Quiet Crisis in the Muslim Public Sphere
Across conferences, seminars, award ceremonies, and community platforms, a troubling pattern has emerged:
- Ideas copied and repackaged without attribution
- Speakers presenting borrowed frameworks as original insight
- Individuals awarding each other grand titles without merit
- Panels filled with the same names, regardless of competence
- Recognition based on relationships, not contribution
While these practices may appear harmless or “normal,” they are deeply damaging.
They violate Islamic ethics.
They undermine justice.
And most critically, they erode the trust of the younger generation.
When youth see hypocrisy rewarded and integrity sidelined, they do not reject individuals—they begin to doubt the entire community structure.
1. Islam’s Foundation: Truth, Trust, and Justice
Islam is uncompromising when it comes to honesty and justice.
Allah (swt) says:
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression.”
(Qur’an 16:90)
Justice (ʿadl) is not optional in Islam—it is a divine command.
And Allah (swt) warns:
“Do not mix truth with falsehood or conceal the truth knowingly.”
(Qur’an 2:42)
Passing off others’ ideas as one’s own, or exaggerating credentials, is a form of concealing truth.
2. Plagiarism and False Claims: A Breach of Amanah
In Islam, knowledge is an amanah (trust).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever deceives us is not from us.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Plagiarism is deception—whether in:
- Research
- Speeches
- Frameworks
- Slides and publications
Even if the content is “good,” dishonesty corrupts its barakah.
Why This Is So Serious
- It steals intellectual effort
- It misleads audiences
- It inflates unearned authority
- It sidelines genuine contributors
Islam does not judge words alone—it judges how they are acquired and presented.
3. The Problem of Inflated Titles and Mutual Back-Patting
Another growing issue is the casual distribution of grand titles:
- “Global leader”
- “Renowned scholar”
- “International authority”
- “Visionary expert”
Often:
- Without peer recognition
- Without measurable contribution
- Without scholarly or professional rigor
Allah (swt) warns:
“So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He knows best who is righteous.”
(Qur’an 53:32)
Titles in Islam were historically:
- Earned through decades of service
- Recognized by peers, not self-assigned
- Accompanied by humility, not marketing
When communities normalize self-promotion without substance, credibility collapses.
4. Why This Harms the Younger Generation Most
Young Muslims today are:
- Highly informed
- Digitally literate
- Globally exposed
- Able to fact-check instantly
When they see:
- The same people recycling ideas
- Awards given without merit
- Panels lacking diversity of thought
- Excellence ignored in favor of connections
They conclude:
“Merit doesn’t matter here.”
This leads to:
- Disengagement from community institutions
- Loss of trust in leadership
- Cynicism toward Islamic events
- Talent exiting quietly
Allah (swt) warns:
“And do not let hatred or bias cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is closer to righteousness.”
(Qur’an 5:8)
Justice is the currency of trust.
5. Historical Islamic Ethos: Attribution and Humility
Classical Islamic scholarship was built on rigorous attribution.
- Scholars cited teachers meticulously
- Ideas were traced through chains of transmission
- Claiming originality falsely was disgraceful
Imām Mālik famously said:
“I do not know” — more than he gave answers.
Great scholars feared false authority more than obscurity.
Contrast this with modern culture, where:
- Loudness is mistaken for leadership
- Visibility replaces validity
This inversion is not Islamic.
6. A Clear Guide for Event Organizers: Due Diligence Is a Religious Duty
Organizing an Islamic event is not logistics alone—it is amanah.
Step 1: Verify Credentials Properly
Ask:
- What is the person actually trained in?
- Who recognizes them?
- What verifiable work have they produced?
- Are titles academic, honorary, or self-assigned?
Avoid:
- Inflated bios
- Vague achievements
- Unverifiable claims
Step 2: Assess Original Contribution
Request:
- Samples of work
- Clear articulation of what is original
- Sources and references
Originality does not mean inventing something new—it means honest contribution and proper attribution.
Step 3: Separate Popularity from Competence
Social media following ≠ authority.
Islam values:
- Substance over spectacle
- Depth over display
Step 4: Establish Transparent Award Criteria
Before giving awards, define:
- Clear eligibility standards
- Measurable contribution
- Independent evaluation
Awards should recognize:
- Service
- Impact
- Consistency
- Integrity
Not friendships or mutual promotion.
Step 5: Diversify Voices
Avoid recycling the same speakers.
Include:
- Emerging scholars
- Young professionals
- Women with expertise
- Practitioners, not just speakers
This signals fairness and vision.
7. Ethical Recognition: How Islam Honors People
The Prophet ﷺ warned against seeking status:
“Whoever seeks leadership, it will be withheld from him; and whoever is given it without asking will be helped in it.”
(Bukhārī & Muslim)
True recognition in Islam:
- Comes naturally
- Is conferred by others
- Produces humility, not ego
If someone needs constant titles to be respected, something is wrong.
8. A Call to Restore Justice and Trust
If Islamic platforms:
- Reward integrity
- Demand transparency
- Honor real contribution
- Reject plagiarism
- Apply justice consistently
Then:
- Youth will re-engage
- Talent will return
- Institutions will regain credibility
- Events will inspire rather than disappoint
Allah (swt) says:
“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”
(Qur’an 13:11)
Conclusion: Justice Is Not Optional—It Is Existential
This is not about attacking individuals.
It is about saving the moral credibility of the community.
If we normalize:
- Copy-paste thinking
- False authority
- Undeserved recognition
We should not be surprised when the next generation walks away.
But if we restore:
- Truth
- Justice
- Merit
- Humility
Then Islamic events will once again become:
- Spaces of learning
- Platforms of inspiration
- Sources of trust
Justice is not just a value.
It is the foundation upon which trust, leadership, and legacy are built.
Without it, no amount of branding will save us.
