A
Reaction That Should Be Condemned
-By Sardar Anees Ahmad
Waterloo, NY
Another day passes and another blemish
is stamped on the fair name of Islam. How unfortunate
are the actions of a minority of Muslims whose
behavior continues to defame and dishonor the
lofty status of the unlettered one of Arabia,
Hazrat Muhammad (May peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him)! While we categorically denounce
the foul-minded and ill-mannered actions of those
newspapers who published offensive caricatures
of Prophet Muhammad, the irresponsible and disgusting
reaction by some Muslims is equally condemnable.
But how would Prophet Muhammad himself deal with
this uncouth and offensive excuse for freedom
of speech of some newspapers? Certainly his attitude
towards Abdullah Ubay ibn Salul, who repeatedly
incited war amongst the Muslims, does not condone
the recent reaction of Muslim extremists. Certainly
his attitude towards Hind, who ate the liver of
Muhammad’s uncle Hamza during battle, does
not condone the reaction of Muslim extremists.
Certainly his attitude towards Abu Jahl, who ordered
the entrails of a camel to be laid on Muhammad
during prayer, does not condone the reaction of
Muslim extremists. Certainly his attitude towards
the people of Ta’if, who pelted Muhammad
with stones until he began to slip in his own
blood, does not condone the reaction of Muslim
extremists. Certainly his attitude towards the
Meccans, who were sent food supplies by Muhammad
due to a famine at a time when they were at war
with the Muslims, does not condone the reaction
of Muslim extremists. Certainly his attitude towards
Meccans, who were pardoned virtually in total
at the peaceful conquest of Mecca, does not condone
the reaction of Muslim extremists.
So before Muslims shout slogans of death to those
who defame Muhammad, let’s stop for a moment
and ask, “What would he do?”
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