A false saying: “Religion is the Opium of the people”

We often hear this saying: “Religion is the opium of the people.” What does it mean? Is it correct?.

Praise be to Allaah.

This phrase was coined by the Jew Karl Marx. He said these words, claiming thereby that religion is the drug that numbs the minds of the people. 

His words are refuted by irrefutable fasts, which is that the true religion, the faith of Ibraaheem which Allaah has enjoined upon His creation, is a religion that revives hearts and minds, and motivates people, pushing its followers to the forefront. It does not accept for its adherents to be humiliated and subjected to oppression, subjugated by their enemies, remaining silent in the face of falsehood and corruption, or adhering blindly to rituals and habits without any authority from Allaah. Rather it obliges them to be active and to prepare all their strength, and to subject all resources on the face of the earth, or beneath it or in its atmosphere, so as not to allow their enemies to beat them in this race. It requires them to devote all their talents and energies for the sake of Allaah, so that His Word may be supreme and suppress the word of those who fabricate lies about Allaah, and to disavow themselves of any who rejects His religion and denies the rule of His Law. 

This is the true religion, unlike what was said by this Jew and his followers and students, who were groomed to fight this true religion, the followers of which can never be defeated if they follow it as it was revealed. 

With regard to other so-called religions, such as atheism and idolatry, what this Jew said may be applied correctly to them, because their people are restricted by the myths in which they believe, which place obstacles in the path of scientific development and innovation.