On Muslim Crazies, Islamophobia and Real Islam

I am appalled by the tragedy met by U.S Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the three other Americans who died for no reason other than guilt-by-association for some anti-Islamic video that went viral and again, stirred up rage riots that took the life of innocents and diplomats. However, I am even more upset at the fact that these barbaric acts continue in the face of Islamophobia and indeed perpetuate the myths and stereotypes that Muslims are savages with no morals. Truly the lands of Islam are living in the dark ages where true guidance is forgotten, obscured or unknown and ignorance has taken precedence. As a practicing Muslim, I feel its my duty to not only condemn these attacks but explain how distant their reaction is to the prophetic model of patience and forgiveness in the face of bigotry, hatred, insults, and personal injury.

The Qur'an states: "Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the Heavens and of the Earth, prepared for the righteous - those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or adversity; who restrain anger and pardon all men; for Allah loves those who do good." [3:133-4] further it states, "You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your [personal] selves; and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who have received the Book (i.e-scripture) before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil- then that will be a determining factor in all affairs." [3:186]

The Prophet Muhammad (S) endured countless insults, mockery, and injury at the hands of unbelievers but did not resort to violence over attacks on his person. [See Quran 15:6, 16:103, 25:4-5, 38:4, 68:51, etc.] One of the Prophet's own uncles and enemy (Abu Lahab) would torment him by way of insult and injuries: Tariq bin 'Abdullah al-Muharabi narrated that he wouldn't stop at simply insulting the Prophet (S) but would throw stones at him until his ankles bled. Abu Lahab's wife would tie bundles of thorns with ropes of twisted palm-leaf fiber and scatter them in the paths which the Prophet (S) was expected to take. One day when the Prophet noticed there wasn't any thorns in his way he went to go inquire about the health of his aunt to see if she was feeling ok. Abu Lahab's and Abu Jahl's households would even throw the womb of a sheep and entrails of camel upon his back while he prayed but he still did not retaliate and only removed the animal parts with a stick and continued with his business. At Ta'if he was mocked and pelted with stones again until he bled and had to leave the city. Still all he did was pray to God for their forgiveness even though the angels offered to punish them for their rebellion. (The Sealed Nectar 87-9, 124-5) We can also see from the following hadith how tolerant the Prophet (S) was in the face of seemingly blatant disrespect in a place of worship:

 Anas b. Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "While we were in the mosque with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), a desert Arab came and stood up and began to urinate in the mosque. The Companions of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: "Stop, stop!" but the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: "Don’t interrupt him; leave him alone." They left him alone, and when he finished urinating, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) called him and said to him: "These mosques are not the places meant for urine and filth, but are only for the remembrance of Allah, prayer and the recitation of the Qur’an," or Allah’s Messenger said something like that. He (the narrator) said that he (the Holy Prophet) then gave orders to one of the people who brought a bucket of water and poured it over.” [Sahih Muslim Book 2, #559]

These are only a few examples in the life of the Prophet (S) of how he dealt kindly and justly with those who attempted to belittle him and how he always returned good for evil. [23:96, 41:34] If you read his full biography and life story you will find much more. There have been extremists in every faith who taint the image of the community for every faith-based group and Islam is no exception. The kharijites (an early extremist group) killed the Prophet's own cousin 'Ali ibn Abu Talib (ra) and were responsible for much discord in early Islamic history but that didn't stop the majority of peaceful followers from acting kindly and righteous, especially toward non-muslims [60:8] The Quran includes the People of the Book (Jews, Christians, Sabians) as those who will attain God's reward in the Hereafter: "Those who believe (in the Quran) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve." [2:62, 5:69] God is not careless with words. This is stated twice in the Quran and those who argue it is an abrogated verse need to reflect on this point.

Prophet Muhammad (S) has stated: "Whoever hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys God." (Sahih Bukhari) In a historic document known as the Charter of Privileges (Achtiname of Muhammad) with the monks of St. Catherine Monastery, the Prophet (S) explains further the depth of care for non-Muslim citizens:

This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them.
Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).

This is the Prophet of mercy we Muslims believe was sent as the "Mercy to the Worlds" [21:107] One who was peaceful with all who wanted peace and forgave offenses to his own self but fought to defend his community only when it was absolutely necessary after enduring 13 long and difficult years of persecution and misery in Mecca. So I say to those who claim to "defend" the Prophet's honor- there is no need, for God has already honored him above the creation. [68:4] I also say to them to remember our Prophet's love and commitment to all who sought peaceful relations, for they will be held accountable by God for killing those who do not kill and make war with them. If it were not for the U.S help in removing Ghadafi, Libya would still be under his boots. I also say to them that if they do hear anything distasteful - so what? Its not anything that hasn't been said or done before. Let them say what they will, its between them and God. And lastly, I quote the Quran, "So lose not heart nor fall into despair for you must gain mastery if you are true in Faith" [3:139]  

Notes

- Holy Quran

- Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim

- The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet (Ar-Raheeq al-Makthum) by Safiur Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri