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Name
Noor
-
Profession
Question
Salam Alikum , you know although I'm Muslim but I find myself attracted to such kind of work (movie) because it shows how can the belief affect the vision of an artist and how he can propagate his message . Do you think I'm right to have such a feeling?
Answer
Dear Noor: You are amongst many who feel the same way. The artist has the ability to impress the subtleties of a given subject in a powerful way.Films (movies) are the most powerful public display of conveying a message to the general public. Film conveys emotions to all our sensory perceptions...and can break social boundaries faster than any other means.The artist here believed in the subject matter and was able to convey his personal conviction through his work to all our sensory perceptions ... and can break social boundaries faster than any other means.
Editor :
As to whether a viewer is "right" to be attracted to such films like "The Passion," that is something that should be addressed to an Islamic scholar. You can re-submit your question to our Fatwa service. I hope this helps you Noor.
Name
Zahir
-
Profession
Question
Is it the first time in Hollywood that the religion play a key role ; I mean can we consider this film as a turning point that reflects the western spiritual needs ?
Answer
In Hollywood religion has generally been treated as a caricature.. with some exceptions like the Ten Commandments,Moses and Pharoah.. Passion has raised the bar for Hollywood as it is demonstrating respect and reverence for religious luminaries that have the changed the world. The reason why so many religious and non religious people are flocking to this film is the desire for people to connect with something greater than worldy comfort. People are moved by this film because they can learn from the suffering of others. For some this is the beginning of their spiritual awakening. Americans more than ever are seeking spirituality.
Editor :
By no means is this the first time Hollywood has addressed religion in movies. But this film tackles spirituality on a much grander scale.
"The Ten Commandments" tells the biblical story of (Moses and the Pharoah).It tells of Moses's rise to Prophethood and how he led his people against the Pharoah of Egypt.
Name
Albanian
-
Profession
Question
I have a comment rather than a question: This and similar movies bring neither pleasure nor information to Muslims. We know the history of Isa or Jesus (as). I think the whole 'dispute' [of who is responsible for the crucifixion] raised between Christians and Jews on this is rather a propagnada that aims to attract the viewers (mainly targetting Muslims).
Answer
Thank you for your comment. This film primarily was made as a personal conviction of one man who felt passionately about his faith. That being said, there are major doctrinal difficulties with various Christian versions of Isa's life and teachings. The controversy around this film is about whose Gospel (hadith) is Mel Gibson portraying. Gibson is a "Pre-Vatican 2 Catholic." Vatican 2 believers stopped following Latin liturgy (this would be like Muslims not praying in Arabic). Some believe that by modernising Catholism, Vatican 2 compromised the spiritual values of Catholism. Gibson is trying to straighten out the record by portraying his version of the Gospel. That is why he chose to make the film in Aramiac (Isa's ) language. Targeting Muslim audience was probably the last thing on Gibson's mind. As always, we Muslims have to say "Only Allah Knows."
Name
Nina
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
I haven't watched the film as it hasn't been shown in Malaysia yet. However, a year ago there was one film where Morgan Freeman acted as God(I don't remember the title) and it had been received with so much criticism here. At first, the government banned the film from being released but then took back the order. I think if 'The Passion of Christ' is shown here, the same controversy would happen. From the title of this dialogue, I think you're suggesting that people should not make such a big fuss about the film even though it contradicts with Islamic teaching. Am I correct? If yes, why do you think so?
As a muslim, I know that these films are contradictory to our beliefs, but personally I think that if anybody wants to watch it he can if he wants to,bearing in mind that what is portrayed in the films are not in line with Islamic teachings. Do you agree with me?
Answer
We Muslims are very sensitive to portraying images of any Prophet. This prohibition is to safeguard against worshipping images of prophets and God himself. This is the perennial complaint God has about us humans - which we have to tendency to create idols out of everything. Thus it is not uncommon in parts of the Muslim world that movies depicting prophets [or God] are banned. People who are sufficiently educated and understand the nuances of their faith can watch a film like "The Passion" and draw some meaningful insights from it, such as: How prophets have set about their missions of warning their people? How have they dealt with the proud and sarcastic community? How do they handle rejection by their own people only to be ultimately vindicated by God in the form of retribution? All Prophets have suffered at the hands of their people. This can remind us of their plight. I hope the religious authorities also can see it that way.
Editor :
The film starring Morgan Freeman was "Bruce Almighty," where Jim Carrey played a man at odds with God, and Freeman played God.
Name
Beth
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu Alaikum,
Do you think it is beneficial for Muslims to see the film in order to have discussions about the subject with Christians and Jews? It just may open up a door for dawah in a time that is very sensitive in America
Answer
"The Passion of the Christ" has created some very interesting opportunities for us Muslims. The sensitive topic of Crucifixion, the Godship of Jesus and suffering for sins of others can now be discussed with honesty and transparency. I know many many Jews are pleasantly surprised that Muslims do not believe that Jesus was crucified. And many Christians are intrigued that there is so much information in the Quran about Jesus: His birth and infancy, His miracles, His conversations between God and with the Israelites, and the divine proclamation of His humanity and servanthood. When conversing with people of the book it is best to highlight these points and let the conversation flow out naturally. Good Luck!
Name
islam
- Ethiopia
Profession
stud
Question
Does the production of the film show the weakness of the jews on controling America?!
Answer
This is a very sensitive topic for everyone. The release of the film has more to do with whose version of the gospel is being portrayed. Gibson thinks his version is "authentic." I have heard many Christians say that they believe a different version. Because the film is so powerful, the Jewish community is genuinely concerned that this might increase suspicion about them. But you have to remember, America is a free society. By releasing "The Passion of the Christ," FREEDOM prevailed.
Name
Ennes
- Greece
Profession
Question
Dear Daisy! Es- Salam Aleikum. What is all this noise that the Jewish organizations are making? I mean my God; it seems they are branding everything Anti Semitic these days. I used to be a Christian before, and I can understand the passion, with which Mel Gibson made this movie, and he made it according to his own beliefs and especially according to the facts that are presented to him in the Gospels. What I don't understand is the Jewish cry of Anti-Semitism. For Gibson and millions of other Christians this is the truth. Secondly, what do you think of the Hollywood studios that so blindly criticized Gibson and his movies? aren't they forgetting something? I mean, so many movies portrayed Jesus as a joke. But they were hardly controversial. I believe Hollywood studios have Jewish connections. Is this the freedom of speech that they show on the screens? To me it seems that perhaps freedom of speech is only reserved for the Jews. And thirdly, have you watched the movie? What you think?
Answer
I have seen the film, and as a Muslim I did not see any anti-Jewish (anti-Semitic) sentiment in it. I saw a group of people (the Rabbinical council) who did not believe that the Messiah had come or that Jesus was the king of Jews. Prophets have been rejected time and again by their own people, mocked by them, chased out of town, and even been the target of assination attempts. Our own Prophet Muhammed (SAW) suffered at the hands of Meccans. In past generations, the Jewish community was blamed for Jesus' death, and as a result the whole community suffered the consequences. We Muslims do not believe in collective guilt. Allah has taught us that we are only responsible for our own actions -- not for the actions of our past generations. The fact that so many people have seen this film and not a single incident of anti-Semitism has been reported shows that the primary mission of the film is to tell the story of Jesus and his Passion "suffering" for the sin of others, not about inflaming ancient hatred. I know Jews who are embarrassed by the commotion.
Name
Mohamed Farhan
- Singapore
Profession
Student
Question
Has the controversy of the movie something to do with Mel Gibson belonging to a particular Christian Group called "Society of Saint Pius X", a group which the Vatican do not recognise?
Answer
Thank you for your comment. This film primarily was made as a personal conviction of one man who felt passionately about his faith. That being said, there are major doctrinal difficulties with various Christian versions of Isa's life and teachings. The controversy around this film is about whose Gospel (hadith) is Mel Gibson portraying. Gibson is a "Pre-Vatican 2 Catholic." Vatican 2 believers stopped following Latin liturgy (this would be like Muslims not praying in Arabic). Some believe that by modernising Catholism, Vatican 2 compromised the spiritual values of Catholism. Gibson is trying to straighten out the record by portraying his version of the Gospel. That is why he chose to make the film in Aramiac (Isa's ) language. Targeting Muslim audience was probably the last thing on Gibson's mind. As always, we Muslims have to say "Only Allah Knows."
Name
Omar
- United States
Profession
Question
Do you think it is good for us Muslims to organize and see this movie in groups, to show that we also consider 'Isa a Prophet of Allah.
Answer
This is a great opportunity to educate yourself about how one Gospel views the crucifixion. Once you have equipped yourself with the knowledge, you can share your thoughts about Jesus with your non-Muslims friends. For example: How is Jesus considered to be the "the word of God" and a spirit (RUH) of God simultaneously? Both His birth and death are considered to be miracles. This will get a very lively debate going, and you will discover that most Christians will be shocked at how highly Jesus is regarded in Islam. Most importantly, we must note that from the Muslim point of view, it is Jesus' ascension rather than the crucifixion that marks the high point of his life in the Quran.
Name
Mark
- Australia
Profession
Question
I thought the movie was too bloody, do you think that this is enough to make the people avoid it?
Answer
Most people in this day and age have become sensitized to senseless violence. The success of this movie is evidence that people are not deterred from seeing the blood. They are coming for other reasons: Curiosity, hype, spiritual yearning, getting connected with their creator and so on. What seems like 100 lashes of whipping is a dramatization to effectuate maximum impact upon the audience.
