Issues and Questions
Freedom of Expression
or Freedom to Abuse
By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
Say to My servants that they
should say whatever is best; Satan does stir up
trouble among them. Indeed Satan is an open enemy
to man. (Al-Isra’ 17:53)
O you who believe, be not like those
who abused Moses. God cleared him of what they said
and he was honorable in the sight of God. O you
who believe, say every word in a right manner. He
shall reform your deeds and forgive you your sins.
Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed
achieved great success. (Al-Ahzab 33:69-71)
Satan wishes to stir troubles among
human beings. Most of the troubles in the world
start with bad words and bad expressions. Bad words
break the families, alienate friends and neighbors
and create animosities. The Prophet – peace
be upon him - in his Isra’ and Mi’raj
saw a vision that a beast came out from a small
hole. Soon it became big and ferocious and could
not return back to that hole. Prophet asked his
companion angel Jibril about the meaning of this
vision. Jibril – peace be upon him - said,
“This is the bad word that come out from the
mouth. It comes from a small place but then it grows
bigger and cannot be retracted.”
I would like to talk today about the infamous cartoons
against the character of our beloved Prophet Muhammad
–peace and blessings of Allah be upon him
- that appeared recently in a Danish paper. These
cartoons have created a lot of anger and anguish
for us and for millions of Muslims all over the
world.
There are four issues that should be addressed:
1. Freedom of Expression
2. Respect and honor of Prophet Muhammad and all
Prophets of Allah
3. Some dangers of these cartoons
4. Our response
1.Freedom of Expression:
Islam is not against freedom of expression. Freedom
of expression is very important. It is a God given
right for all human beings. All humans must protect
and ensure this right. No healthy society can ever
grow and develop without this right. However, there
is no right that is absolute without any restrictions.
Freedom of expression must be used in a responsible
manner. It is not a license for abuse, accusations,
lies and blasphemy. Religion and religious figures
are dear to people’s hearts. Their emotions
are attached to them. Even if one does not believe
in a religious figure, one should express one’s
criticism in a responsible and respectful manner.
Civilized societies and civilized people do not
wittingly and knowingly offend other people’s
feelings and emotions.
2.Respect and honor of the
Prophet Muhammad and all God’s Prophets:
Islam teaches high respect of all the Prophets of
Allah. Muslims are highly sensitive about the respect
and honor of our beloved Prophet Muhammad. Out of
respect for the Prophets of Allah we do not make
any images of them. We do not treat them like ordinary
human beings; we give them special honor. When we
mention their names, we say, “Peace be upon
them” to express our deep devotion and respect
for them.
About Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him
- Allah says:
" ....those who believe in him,
honor him, help him, and follow the Light which
is sent down with him, it is they who will prosper."
(Al-A’raf 7:157)
As there is freedom of expression
so there is also freedom of religion. Other people’s
religion and culture should not be insulted and
abused. We are living today in very mixed societies
and the whole world has become like a global village;
we have to be extra careful, responsible and sensitive
when we talk about other people’s faith and
sacred figures. We do not force others to believe
in Prophet Muhammad the way we believe in him; but
they should not insult us and humiliate us by abusing
his name, his personality and character in public.
The infamous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad that appeared
in a Danish paper offended the feelings of millions
of Muslims all over the world. Although we do not
condone any violence and strongly reject those who
misbehaved in expressing their disapproval; we all
feel insulted and humiliated by these cartoons.
Muslims quietly and politely asked the Danish authorities
to take action against the paper. They demanded
an apology for these offenses. Muslim calls were
ignored. When Muslims saw that there was no response
then they decided to protest and boycott Danish
goods in Muslim countries. Some people in the West
ignited the fire further by reproducing the same
offensive cartoons in defiance of Muslim protest
in the name of freedom of expression and democracy.
3.Some dangers of these cartoons:
These cartoons and depictions are not only blasphemous;
they are also very dangerous. They have depicted
our Prophet as a terrorist and a bomber. They give
an impression that Muslims are the followers of
a terrorist leader and so all Muslims must be terrorists.
These Islamophobic images are very harmful. Muslims
are already facing discrimination and difficulties
in some European countries; this may increase their
problems and suffering. They may face more discrimination
at jobs, in schools and more hate crimes and violence
may be directed against them. The extremist elements
in Europe want a war against Muslims and the Muslim
world. Why Jewish people are so very sensitive about
Anti-Semitic statements and cartoons; because they
know that at one time they were used against them
and they led to violence, pogroms and holocaust
against millions of their people in Western countries.
Muslims also should not take these images lightly.
4.Our response:
We must protest against these images, not only because
of our religious sensitivities but also because
they are dangerous for our safety and survival.
However, in our protest we should not be provoked
into any wrong action. People need to be educated
and their moral sensitivities should be raised high.
We have to win the hearts and minds of people and
make them understand the true meaning and spirit
of the ideal of “freedom of expression.”
We should also tell them the dangers of the irresponsible
use of the freedom of expression. We should also
educate them about our faith and the noble character
of Prophet Muhammad –peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him.
A somewhat similar case is now going
on here in Southern California. Last month Bill
Handel, a talk show host at KFI, made a mockery
of the Hujjaj who died in Mina. He made fun of those
who died in the accident. Muslims in Southern California
and elsewhere have protested against these remarks.
We urge you to take a few minutes of your time and
call or email to KFI. Urge them to apologize and
reprimand its talk show host Bill Handel for mocking
the deaths of hundreds of Muslims taking part in
the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). Tell them it is
uncivilized and unacceptable to laugh at the tragedies
of others, at the loss of life of even animals what
to say of human beings. Our reminders must be polite
and careful. We must act in decent and civilized
manner always. It is possible that those who oppose
us today may become our friends tomorrow.
We want peace in this world
for ourselves and for others. We all have to learn
how to respect each other. We must not create or
allow hate, prejudice and propaganda against any
people - neither in the name of religion, nor in
the name of freedom or democracy.
(Khutbah at ISOC – Muharram 4, 1427/ February
3, 2006)
-DrSiddiqi@aol.com
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The Month
of Muharram
Muharram
is the first month of the Islamic, Hijrah calendar.
It is one of the four sanctified months about which
Allah says, “The number of months in the sight
of Allah are twelve (in a year). So ordained by
Him the day He created the heavens and the earth;
Of them four are sacred: That is the right religion.
So wrong not yourselves therein.” (At-Tawbah:
36)
The four months, according to authentic Hadith,
are the months of Dul-Qa`dah, Dhu-Hijjah, Muharram
and Rajab. The sanctity of these four months was
observed in the Shari’ah of all the Prophets.
Muslim scholars have stated that the actions performed
in these months have an effect on what a person
does in the remaining months of the year.
The Month of Muharram
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is
reported to have said, “The best of fasts
besides the month of Ramadan is the fast during
Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of
prayer besides the obligatory prayers is the Tahajjud
prayer.”
The 10th Day of Muharram known as the day of `Ashura’,
is a very significant day in the Islamic calendar.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has
exhorted the Ummah to fast on this day. He is reported
to have said, “Fasting the day of `Ashura’,
I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for
the previous year.” (Reported by Muslim)
The Fast of `Ashura’
It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari and
other authentic collections of Hadith that the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions
used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram while they
were in Makkah (before the Hijrah).
Ibn `Abbas says, ‘I did not see the Prophet
anxiously awaiting the fast of any day, which he
gave preference to over other days, but this day
(of `Ashura’) and the month of Ramadan.’
It was a day on which people of Makkah used to change
the covering (Kiswah) of the Ka`bah. Quraysh also
used to fast on this day. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
After the Hijrah when the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) came to Madinah, he found that the
Jews of Madinah also used to observe this day with
fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) asked them the reason of their fasting on this
day. They said, “This is a blessed day. On
this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from
their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa fasted
on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) said, “We
are closer to Musa than you are.” He fasted
on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this
day. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
In another report it is mentioned that Jews of Madinah
used to hold feast on this day. The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) told his Companions to
fast instead. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
`Ashura' fasting was obligatory (Fard) in the beginning.
In the second year of Hijrah (624 CE) when Allah’s
command came that Muslims should fast the whole
month of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) then sent someone to announce to people
that fasting of `Ashura' had become voluntary (Nafl).
This indicates that whosoever wishes to fast, may
fast and whosoever does not want to fast, there
will be no blame on him/her.
Imam At-Tirmidhi mentions that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah
be pleased with them both) used to say that we should
fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to
distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community.
(Reported by At-Tirmidhi)
Ibn `Abbas also quotes the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) as saying, “If I live next year,
I shall also fast on the 9th day.” (Reported
by Ahmad)
There is a great reward in fasting the `Ashura'.
There are many Hadiths that mention its blessings
and virtues. It is good to fast on this day, although
it is not obligatory.
Courtesy islamonline
