I don’t know the last time I’ve turned on the television or read the news and haven’t come across a story entailing yet another day of protests, riots, outbursts, and what have you in the Muslim world. Seems that such things are now common occurrences in Islamic countries. And what causes them? Well, in my humble opinion, the most inane of events.
There have been shutdown over Qur’an burnings, clashes regarding cartoons, effigies and flags have been reduced to cinders in retaliation over a film that was released, and countless number of innocent lives have been lost. And all for what? A bruised ego? A stinging insult? It makes me ashamed.
Do you all know who is at fault? Do you know who is to be blamed for the current state of affairs that ritually greets us as soon as we open the morning papers? It’s my fault. You heard me. Mine. It’s also the fault of any other Muslim who has had in their reach any form of education which would allow them to understand the message of Islam as it actually is, and to spread this knowledge. Allow me to explain why I feel this way.
Most of these flare-ups relate to what others have to say about Islam, but more succinctly, about Muhammad. The reason given by so many in their fight is that they believe it is their duty to protect the Prophet’s honor, and that retaliation against all those who don’t speak in favor of him is a must. What I can’t grasp is as to why there is so much anger amidst the Muslims of today. Why are we so quick, so eager even, to draw blood?
Muhammad had the entrails of animals thrown on him while he prayed, he was almost strangled to death, and there was even an assassination attempt against him. And how did he respond? Recall, if you will, that a majority of the blows that were dealt to him came from his own family members. God tells him, “You will certainly hear much abuse from the followers of previous books and from the idol-worshipping people. And if you are patient and keep your duty-- this is surely a matter of great resolution.” (3:185). And again, “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people-- and God loves the doers of good.” (3:133-4).
I see protestors being interviewed, saying they are willing to die for Muhammad. Did he ask you to do this? Was he not just a man, a simple human, like you and I? “Say: I am only a man like you…” (18:110) and “Say: I am only a human being like you…” (41:6). They say this shows the unity of Muslims. How? Day after day, death tolls rise. Lives come to a halt. Schools shut down. This is not Islam. “As He has already revealed to you in the Scripture, if you hear people denying and ridiculing God’s revelation, do not sit with them unless they start to talk of other things, or else you yourselves will become like them…” (4:140).
Strangely, in this day and age of technology and easily available knowledge, so many Muslims are ignorant. Whether it’s due to their inability to attain information, or lack of motivation to do so, the effects of this apathy is becoming more than evident. And it’s not doing much to aid our image. How do you expect others to believe that Islam espouses peace and compassion when all they see is violence?
The so-called religious leaders behind these actions squabble over their seats and beard lengths more than emphasizing the importance of education. So many of them say, “We must show the world Islam will not stand for this display of animosity.” So what do they do in retaliation? Pollute the land, shut down the economy, and injure civilians. Oh yeah, this is really hurting the external forces of evil. They find in these events a way of promote themselves, to get followers of their own, pushing aside the verses stating “Those who conceal that which God has sent down of the Book and take in exchange for that a paltry price, they fill their bellies with nothing but fire. God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And for them is a grievous punishment.” (2:174).
And as for American Muslims, we’ve seemingly resigned ourselves to one of two positions-- either we dismiss these actions with a wave of our hands and speak no further of them, or we become nauseatingly apologetic. Those who partake in the former do significantly less damage than those in the latter, who’ve increasingly begun to sound as though they are remorseful for being Muslims. “Sorry we aren’t tolerant.” “Sorry we are violent.” It’s frustrating.
Why are we so reluctant to actually stand up and speak out against the real problem-- that of a lack of knowledge in regards to the true teachings written in the Qur’an. So many rely on Hadiths, or sayings of Muhammad alone. I have no qualms with this aside from the fact that in verse 9, chapter 15 of the Qur’an, God states He would guard His Message from corruption. He says nothing in regards to Hadiths. So many have ascribed their beliefs to certain Hadiths that clearly contradict Qur’anic teachings. Here is the root of our ignorance, an undying hold on hearsay and tradition rather than true enlightenment. It is clearly stated, “And when it is said to them, “Follow what God has revealed,” they say, “Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.” Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” (2:170).
Youth of today, I earnestly beseech you. Wake up. Don’t just shuffle blindly behind others. Think on your own. Read. Strive. Work for good, for the truth. Open your eyes and push forward towards comprehension.
There have been shutdown over Qur’an burnings, clashes regarding cartoons, effigies and flags have been reduced to cinders in retaliation over a film that was released, and countless number of innocent lives have been lost. And all for what? A bruised ego? A stinging insult? It makes me ashamed.
Do you all know who is at fault? Do you know who is to be blamed for the current state of affairs that ritually greets us as soon as we open the morning papers? It’s my fault. You heard me. Mine. It’s also the fault of any other Muslim who has had in their reach any form of education which would allow them to understand the message of Islam as it actually is, and to spread this knowledge. Allow me to explain why I feel this way.
Most of these flare-ups relate to what others have to say about Islam, but more succinctly, about Muhammad. The reason given by so many in their fight is that they believe it is their duty to protect the Prophet’s honor, and that retaliation against all those who don’t speak in favor of him is a must. What I can’t grasp is as to why there is so much anger amidst the Muslims of today. Why are we so quick, so eager even, to draw blood?
Muhammad had the entrails of animals thrown on him while he prayed, he was almost strangled to death, and there was even an assassination attempt against him. And how did he respond? Recall, if you will, that a majority of the blows that were dealt to him came from his own family members. God tells him, “You will certainly hear much abuse from the followers of previous books and from the idol-worshipping people. And if you are patient and keep your duty-- this is surely a matter of great resolution.” (3:185). And again, “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people-- and God loves the doers of good.” (3:133-4).
I see protestors being interviewed, saying they are willing to die for Muhammad. Did he ask you to do this? Was he not just a man, a simple human, like you and I? “Say: I am only a man like you…” (18:110) and “Say: I am only a human being like you…” (41:6). They say this shows the unity of Muslims. How? Day after day, death tolls rise. Lives come to a halt. Schools shut down. This is not Islam. “As He has already revealed to you in the Scripture, if you hear people denying and ridiculing God’s revelation, do not sit with them unless they start to talk of other things, or else you yourselves will become like them…” (4:140).
Strangely, in this day and age of technology and easily available knowledge, so many Muslims are ignorant. Whether it’s due to their inability to attain information, or lack of motivation to do so, the effects of this apathy is becoming more than evident. And it’s not doing much to aid our image. How do you expect others to believe that Islam espouses peace and compassion when all they see is violence?
The so-called religious leaders behind these actions squabble over their seats and beard lengths more than emphasizing the importance of education. So many of them say, “We must show the world Islam will not stand for this display of animosity.” So what do they do in retaliation? Pollute the land, shut down the economy, and injure civilians. Oh yeah, this is really hurting the external forces of evil. They find in these events a way of promote themselves, to get followers of their own, pushing aside the verses stating “Those who conceal that which God has sent down of the Book and take in exchange for that a paltry price, they fill their bellies with nothing but fire. God will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. And for them is a grievous punishment.” (2:174).
And as for American Muslims, we’ve seemingly resigned ourselves to one of two positions-- either we dismiss these actions with a wave of our hands and speak no further of them, or we become nauseatingly apologetic. Those who partake in the former do significantly less damage than those in the latter, who’ve increasingly begun to sound as though they are remorseful for being Muslims. “Sorry we aren’t tolerant.” “Sorry we are violent.” It’s frustrating.
Why are we so reluctant to actually stand up and speak out against the real problem-- that of a lack of knowledge in regards to the true teachings written in the Qur’an. So many rely on Hadiths, or sayings of Muhammad alone. I have no qualms with this aside from the fact that in verse 9, chapter 15 of the Qur’an, God states He would guard His Message from corruption. He says nothing in regards to Hadiths. So many have ascribed their beliefs to certain Hadiths that clearly contradict Qur’anic teachings. Here is the root of our ignorance, an undying hold on hearsay and tradition rather than true enlightenment. It is clearly stated, “And when it is said to them, “Follow what God has revealed,” they say, “Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.” Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” (2:170).
Youth of today, I earnestly beseech you. Wake up. Don’t just shuffle blindly behind others. Think on your own. Read. Strive. Work for good, for the truth. Open your eyes and push forward towards comprehension.