The Epstein Files: Lessons for the Muslim

Praise be to Allah (SWT) and Blessings on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Did I not entrust you, the children of Adam, not to abide by Satan — since, he is, indeed, your obvious [and avowed] enemy — [Yasin, 36:60]

We are witnessing the invasion of immorality and depravity, and it is more than shocking to see people in power, whether in politics, religion or business, implicated. The declassified documents and legal files of the Jeffrey Epstein sexual trafficking should serve as a reminder for believers.

There are millions of questions. Even though some are analysing this event under an academic or sordid angle, as Muslims, the most important lessons that we can draw from this international scandal boils down to this: Epstein, along with his accomplices (known and unknown) are a parable of this world.

…whereas those who follow [only] their own lusts want you to acutely drift far away from the right path. [An Nisa, 4:27]

As other men in power, this sexual predator could easily access vices that his heart desired, everything was within reach, impunitively. If he could freely have consensual relations with adult women (paid or not), why did he choose to sexually exploit children? Because the more we feed the human appetite, the bigger it gets. And those that we want quenched are often the most intense. Let’s not get into sordid details.

Truly, We created the social human in the best adjustment, And thereafter We demote him to the lowest of postures [or status] — [At Teen, 95:4-5]

There are but few things that are unanimously condemned around the world than child abuse. When all other carnal desires have been fulfilled to the point of boredom, attention is drawn to the taboo, the riskiest and the most exciting in a quest for the same sensation. Compounded with the conviction of being above the law and consequences, it is easy to understand how this predator has prevailed.

When it comes to limitations between halal and haram, as believers, we are advised not to abuse certain permissible pleasures, as we can be desensitised from them to the point of being attracted to the dubious and the illicit. The alternative, as we can see in this case, is nothing but a depraved abyss.

Power is only concerned with one thing: self-preservation

There is no doubt that the revelations are but the tip of the iceberg. The real actors’ names and identities have been forever erased and made to disappear. The institutions in charge of revealing the truth will never prosecute themselves. Those who pull the string will never use those to hang themselves. Consequently, justice will never be done in this life. In virtue of its nature, power has a mechanism of self-preservation, deceit and collusion that guarantees it. Power is also a terribly corruptible force. It demands complicity, obedience to authority, group thinking, placidity and a suspension of morality. Those who wield corrupting influence can only do so with the complicity of those around.

When Epstein decided to obtain samples of the Kiswa, fabric which covers the Ka’bah, unsurprisingly, his allies from the UAE, a businesswoman in particular, organised the exportation of the samples for him. A considerable feat, given the importance of the fabric. What was his goal? How could apparently believing Muslims, send such a symbolically valuable object to a child sex trafficker. What was his intention with this object? Desecrate the sacred, perform occult rituals? To feel powerful in a novel and more perverse manner?

The massive exploitation of the world’s elite is not a source of despair for believers, but a motivation to never resemble them in thought, practice and their vision of the world. It is important to understand their motivations and observe where they lead, not only in the hereafter, but also, here, as from now.

The Intoxication of Power

There is a thread that binds all those who have gotten into this perverse spiral: the intoxication of power. Believing themselves to be above the law, they supported each other. Networks have facilitated their businesses, financed wars, profited from sexual abuse rings, offered themselves private jets, protected each other in tribunals, bought out politicians, manipulated elections, coups and uprisings, even openly usurped and robbed whole countries.

Islam’s strict warnings against looking for power, social status, money, mastering of the ego, maintaining public decency and a regular check on our conscience are not simply spiritual recommendations but necessary for the survival of our soul. Limits exist in Islam for the human being cannot prosper in this world without knowing, respecting and excel within the tenets set by Allah (SAW).

The Distinguishing Mark of this World is Deceit

Sometimes, the simplest way to understand this world is to accept that everything is upside down. Vice is presented as virtue, the latter derided as vice. Falsehood is presented as media headlines and truth is rejected as conspiracy theories, unworthy of interest. All the pleasures of this world come with a price, from responsibility to absolute punishment. If you feel like you can’t understand this world, you’re probably on the right path.

This world is like sparkling white teeth on rotten gums. We should leave them wade in their murky waters and focus our attention on the foundations of our faith to find true and lasting stability.

Consequences of Democracy

The Epstein scandal is not the result of a poor implementation of democracy. It is in fact an inevitable consequence. Democracy abolishes the divine measure which allows to distinguish good from bad, licit from illicit. It also entrusts man with legislative power, which means that man legislates in such a way that he ultimately loses and subservience to the most vile.

[…] For, after truth and justice [has been forsaken], what is there [left] but error and deviation? […] [Yunus, 10:32]

If submission to Allah (SWT) is missing from all aspects of life, submission to Shaitaan is what’s left.

Did I not entrust you, the children of Adam, not to abide by Satan — since, he is, indeed, your obvious [and avowed] enemy [Yasin, 36:60]

If Allah’s (SWT) laws are absent, ignorance is left.

Do they, perchance, desire [to be ruled by] the law of an ignocracy (jahiliyah)? But for people suffused with inner certainty, who could be a better lawgiver than Allah? [Al Maidah, 5:50]

[…] whereas those who follow [only] their own lusts want you to acutely drift far away from the right path. [An Nisa, 4:27]

Let’s observe how this verse attributes man’s will for wrong to men themselves and not Shaitaan, even if he is the one who orders, whispers and embellishes. Finally, those who follow their desires become his allies.

May Allah (SWT) help and guide us.