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Name
nadjet mehdi
- Kuwait
Profession
translator
Question
I am touched deep inside my heart for what happened in Denmark and Norway, and so is the whole Islamic community. How dare they insult the peaceful Prophet who spent his life in guiding people to the right path, the educator, the compassionate, the sadiq who saved mankind from blind ignorance. This is beyond freedom of speech. It is a crime I dare to say, and apologies are not enough to mend this deep wound they caused us.
Muslims should take a firm action against this awful deed of them as boycotting them is not enough. I hope all Islamic embassies stops their activities with them. I read an article written by the newspaper itself saying they didn't mean all that and it was a joke. Why didn't they make a joke of their queen or prime minister why did they choose to scorn precisely our leader (peace and blessings be upon him). This simply means they hold a strong grudge for Islam.
I hope the Islamic nation gets stronger and united so that no one dares to underestimate Muslims. I hope the boycott will be eternal even if they apologize for what they did could not be forgiven and to be a lesson for other countries not to touch Islam.
I would like to add a note. I am m really proud of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for all their efforts spent in defending our Prophet the way he deserves.
Answer
Freedom of expression does not mean freedom of insult, defamation and slander. I agree with you that concerted action is the duty of all Muslims, individuals and governments. This may include demanding apology, economic boycott, political action as well as any other peaceful and legitimate means.
We should do what we can but without being carried away by emotions so as to use illegitimate means to defend a very legitimate cause. These attacks may actually signify that Islam and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) have great appeal to the thousands who embrace Islam by choice every year. As such, all such attempts to defame Islam, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or the Qur'an are intended to "extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but rest assured that Allah will complete the shining of His light even though rejecters of faith may hate it." (As-Saff 61: 9)
Name
Shoeing
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
What are the ways through which Muslims can repel such aggression?
Answer
In addition to what was mentioned in the first answer, Muslims need to study the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and share it with others through all possible media. Also to refer their friends to credible sights on the internet such as IslamOnline.
Media, especially Muslim media, should contribute to the promotion of authentic knowledge not bigotry.
Name
John
- Andorra
Profession
Question
Can provocative media forms be considered a freedom of expression?
Answer
As indicated in the first answer, freedom of expression does not mean freedom of slander.
No freedom whatsoever is totally unqualified. That is why there are laws against slander in nearly all countries; there are even laws against blasphemy in the UK. Such laws should not be restricted to blasphemy against one particular religion but it should be applicable to all religions whether one agrees with them or not.
Name
Begum Shofiq
- Barbados
Profession
Question
Muslims claim that Prophet Muhammad is the best among all Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them). Non-Muslims find this insulting to Jesus and other Prophets. Also, this claim violate the command of Allah where Muslims are told NOT to make differences between Prophets. If Muslims don't say that the Last Prophet is the best Prophet, then do you think it will be more positive approach to invite non-Muslims to Islam? Your comment!
Answer
The Qur'an and Hadith as well prohibit Muslims from making partisan comparisons between the Prophets because this needs, as you said, hard feelings and conflict. However, the same Qur'an indicates that Allah, not us, gave higher status to some Prophets over others. For example, a messenger is higher in status than a prophet, and among messengers the greatest five are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all).
Among the above greatest five Allah chose Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to be His final and universal Messenger to all humanity. Such status given by Allah, not us is the comparison between differing degrees of the highest excellence not between "inferior" and "superior", for all Prophets constitute one brotherhood completing one another and confirming one another and they taught the same core message: the love and obedience of Allah and the love and just peaceful relationship with humans, animals, vegetation and ecology.
Name
Roshan
- India
Profession
Teacher
Question
Respected Doctor Badawi.
We see that the western leaders emphasize all kinds of "freedoms" - which practically include the "freedom" to insult Muhammad, but do not include the freedom to question even the exaggerated claims about the Holocaust! No wonder, the white "civilized world" is up in arms against "terrorist Muslims".
My question is: Why do the dark "uncivilized" world in the Middle East swallow all these insults and keep mum about these disgusting double standard? Why don't they look at some of the Latin American peoples and their leaders and derive some inspiration, if not from their own history and religious tradition?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
Using freedom of expression to raise questions even about the extent, not even the reality of the inhumanity of the holocaust is regarded as a crime in some western countries. However, using that freedom to insult and defame the greatest personalities in human history does not provoke even official condemnation let alone prosecution for disturbing the public peace in the same civilized world in the west.
Also in the west a person may be prosecuted for slandering a living person but a greater person who is dead. These are only two examples of the double standard conscience or not which are rampant in our world today.
Unfortunately a great part of the masses of Muslims may not be fully aware of these problems, and if they know they are helpless because of the political systems under which they live and many are struggling just to survive. Surely this is not an excuse as there are enough intellectual and media professionals as well as government officials who are doing virtually nothing about it.
Name
Youssef
-
Profession
Question
A-Salamu-alaykum wa rahmatu Allah.
What do you think is the right reaction to insulting our Prophets?
Answer
The problem should be globalized as there are many right-minded fair people all over the world who are not Muslims but who will support decency, and mutual respect among and between the followers of various religions.
Name
Shadi
-
Profession
Question
Dearest Dr. As-Salamu `alaykum. What bothered me a lot in the announcements of the Danish officials is their saying that they cannot take any action for what happened (insulting the Prophet by cartoon drawings) is "freedom of expression". For me, respecting religions and beliefs should be considered when speaking about freedom of expression. What do you think sir?
Answer
It's fair to say that some members of the Danish parliament objected to this abuse of freedom of expression, but it is unfortunate, however, to notice the silence of the Danish government which most people interpret as tacit or silent approval of such indecency. The least that should have been done was:
1. The Danish government should have at least condemned and disapproved this aberration.
2. Danish ambassadors in Muslim countries at least should have spoken openly against this abuse among some of their country members.
Name
MFR
-
Profession
Question
I wonder whether these provocative insults can be justified by the right to “freedom of expression”. Does freedom expression entitles one to defame whomsoever one likes without any restrictions?
Answer
As I said earlier, freedom of expression does not mean freedom of insult, defamation and slander. In addition, all sensible human beings would agree that freedom of expression as a value is not absolute.
Also, from a religious and especially Islamic perspective freedom of expression is bound by sensible rules of morality including mutual respect of others without necessarily accepting their beliefs and avoidance of indecency that destroys the moral and social fabric of society.
Name
Jack
-
Profession
Question
Sir, let me ask you frankly: would you make a similar reaction if other religion is attacked, for example Judaism or even Buddhism?
Answer
Yes, I do. In fact, a lot of Muslims, including myself, objected to some of movies which depicted Jesus, peace be upon him, in an undignified manner. Also many prominent scholars, including Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, strongly objected to the destruction of the Buddhists statutes in Bayman in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime and were trying to intervene to prevent before it actually happened.
The Qur'an forbids Muslims from abusing even gods worshipped by others even though the Qur'an upholds the absolute oneness of God. In Surah 6, aya 108: Allah says, "Revile not those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance."
Name
MAH
-
Profession
Question
Let me take the topic to a wider scope. The issue of attacking or insulting religions is hotly debated nowadays. My question is: to what extent can respecting religions be constructive in building the bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds?
Answer
1. As the Qur'an instructs, all people of all religions, even no religion, must realize their common humanity and broader brotherhood (Chapter 49, verse13 and Chapter 30, verse22.
2. Followers of all religions should realize that all prophets of God were sent by Him with the same core message even though there were some variations in some aspects such as the form of worship. Please refer to Chapter 2, verse, 285.
3. Peoples of faith should engage in respectful dialogue and develop mutual understanding with one another and discover the common grounds amongst them, not to focus on differences. This is especially needed among the Abrahamic religions that share a lot more than most people realize. See the Qur'an, Chapter 29/ verse 46.
4. There is no harm in discussing even politely and critically and objectively evaluating some of the areas of differences between the various religious beliefs and practices.
In all cases, however, the spirit of appreciation, brotherhood and learning from one another must permeate these dialogues.
Name
Jewan
-
Profession
Question
Why are Muslims are so sensitive when such issues are raised?
Answer
For a true Muslim the love of God and His messenger is more so than their love of themselves. "The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves…" (Al-Ahzab 33: 6)
As such, Muslims may be more tolerant to a personal insult than an insult directed at his most beloved Prophets.
In addition, for the Muslim Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is not nearly a Prophet but a complete role modal in all phases and aspects of life. An observant Muslim remembers the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) throughout daily life and follows his example in prayer, work, and social involvement and above all, moral quality. Therefore, a slander against Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is a slander not only on a revered historical personality; it is an assault on the Muslim daily life and practice. There is hardly any other faith community that feels affinity more than practicing Muslims do.
Name
Dalia
-
Profession
Question
What about attacking religions in general? Can it be justifiable under any pretext?
Answer
Please see other answers done in this session.
Name
Khalid
-
Profession
Question
Instead of making boycott by individuals, every government should take firm action on this issue, so as they can realize the importance of harming and insulting the Islamic image. What do you say in this regard?
Answer
I agree and that was mentioned before about various complementary strategies to deal with this infraction.
Name
Abdul Basit
-
Profession
Question
Could you enlighten us on how Islam deals with religions and whether it allow ridiculing Prophets in response to ridiculing Prophet Muhammad?
Please see the answer to the question of "Jack" in this session.
Answer
No true Muslim can ridicule Prophet Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) in response to the vicious ridiculing of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) even by those evangelicals who claim to speak in the name of Christ who is the first one to dissociate himself from their false utterances.
When the Muslim abstains from responding in kind, he or she is doing that not out of "political correctness" because this is the command of Allah in the Qur'an and because of his or her love and respect of all Prophets which is an article of faith in Islam. In fact, all Prophets are out Prophets, so how can we insult any of them.
Name
Hassan
- Sweden
Profession
Question
If the Danes believed that they have freedom of speech...let them try to deny holocaust and they shall see the consequences... I do believe that all Muslim countries should boycott Danish and Norwegian products. My question is what would happen if these things were in place? Thanks.
Answer
I agree. These points were earlier discussed in the session.
Name
sabir
- India
Profession
student
Question
Keeping in mind the incident of Taslima Nasreen (exiled Bangladeshi writer)who is a known critic of Islam. Rcently, she has come out with a book DWIKHANDITO in which she has used the filthiest language against not only ISLAM but also the PROPHET(peace and blessings be upon him). The Indian Muslims had challenged her for an open debate on her writings, was this the right approach to deal with such people?
Answer
I always favor reasoned dialogue or debate if necessary so as to give others the opportunity to listen to evidence and evaluate arguments.
Let people judge both the evidence and civility of both sides of the argument. There maybe cases, however, where it is obvious that reasoned dialogue is nearly impossible in which case it may be better to consider other legitimate means of clarifying the issues in dispute; for example, through public lectures, publications and media outlets.
Name
Arlan
- Canada
Profession
Question
I would like to know if this insult could be a move to make Muslims angry and justify their violence to boost US and its allies support for war in Iraq and the upcoming war in Iran and Syria. Thanks.
Answer
Muslims are known for their intensive love of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). That is was discussed in an earlier question in this session.
One cannot rule out the possibility of deliberate provocation of Muslims so as to respond in a violent and un-Islamic manner because of the intensity of their emotions and their failure to control such emotions. For example, the publisher of Rushdie's Satanic Verses was forewarned about the exclusive nature of the book by even non-Muslim editors who are familiar with Islam and the Muslim world. However, they insisted on its publication. The result was extremely negative and it did provoke some actions on the part of some Muslims which were inappropriate, yet they were used to blemish Islam further and to falsely depict Muslims as rational, fanatical, anti-freedom people.
As Muslims we need to be not only sensitive but also thoughtful, deliberate and to respond intelligently in a manner that is likely to produce positive results rather than venting emotions.
Name
muslimah
- United Kingdom
Profession
midwife
Question
I am a convert for 6 years. I would like to know how you feel about creating bridges between communities, where Muslims themselves are so divided. In my observation, Muslims have much to learn about tolerance, forgiveness and love from Christians though our deen and our Prophet taught us these things. And finally, there is a paradox when dealing with Christians especially. We talk about common good, etc.. and as Muslims we love Jesus, but they will never accept or love our Prophet, so our relationship is very one-sided. Please discuss this.
Answer
I fully agree with you. In previous answers these concepts were emphasized. I may add that we need not only inter-faith dialogue but also intra-faith dialogue among or within each respective community of faith. But when others do not show the same respect to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as we do to Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) cannot help but persist in our respect of him because we do that as a religious obligation not by way of reciprocity.
