What is happening in Pakistan today has nothing – I repeat nothing - to do with the “love of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)”. It is the anger, frustration and manipulation of a completely disenfranchised polity, which has been robbed of basic necessities like food, power, fuel, health, education, etc. Just a short viewing of recent events is enough to convince one that the “rioters” have no idea who the Prophet (pbuh) was or what his teachings were. If they did, one would not witness the horrific loss of life and the destruction and burning of the property of fellow Muslims and other citizens. They have no idea what the noble Prophet (pbuh) said on his final pilgrimage: “O people, just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust”. There is only one loser in this equation, namely Pakistan – politically, economically and socially. With regard to our beloved Prophet (pbuh), they persecuted him and his followers for 23 years. They insulted him and his beloved companions, looted their property, tortured and killed many and finally drove them out of his beloved city. This was followed by a long period of constantly living under the threat of war, which materialized every now and then. And yet after all of this, 23 years later, when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) entered the same city as a victor, when the people of the city were completely at his disposal, he said to them: “There is no reproach for you this day, may Allah forgive you all”. He did not even remind them of all their horrible atrocities. As for Abu Sufian, who led the opposition to the Prophet (pbuh) all this time, his house was declared as a sanctuary by the noble Prophet (pbuh) who was indeed the Prophet of Mercy, sent by The Merciful, for all humanity. As far as I am concerned, I like to think that I love the Prophet (pbuh) to the best of my abilities, but I can see no other way to show that love except to follow him in every aspect of my life, external and internal – it's as simple as that. Be the best son/daughter, the best father/mother, the best husband/wife, the best neighbor, the best host/guest, the best buyer/seller, the best employee/employer, the best citizen and so on. If you are none of these or only one of these, then stop claiming your love for the Prophet (pbuh), for you don't know him. Go and learn about his life and his teachings before you take one step out of your houses in celebration of the “love for the Prophet (pbuh) day”. As far as the perpetrator of the insulting movie is concerned, I say to him: “We don't know who this person you refer to in your film is. Perhaps it is someone you wish to vent your anger at for all the economic difficulties in America, the joblessness, the unrelenting public debt, the housing market crash, etc.” It is also possible that there are devious minds and hands behind this, who wish to bring about a never-ending conflict between Muslims and the West. Simply put, we know Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) very well and we do not see the slightest hint of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) in this movie. And then there is the media in Pakistan. The op-ed and editorial pages claim that “Muslims will tolerate anything and any personal insult but will never tolerate any blasphemy of the Prophet (pbuh)”. Which Muslims are they referring to? The same ones who lie, cheat, deceive, rob, and murder their fellow Muslims every day? Those who dishonor the teachings of the noble Prophet (pbuh) every day? Are they the protectors of the honor of the noble Prophet (pbuh)? What a flawed analysis this is! Don't these writers realize that articles like these serve only as fuel on an already blazing fire? The only ones who can lay claim to truly honoring Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were his blessed Companions who walked his walk and talked his talk. They were his ambassadors, the ones who personified him to the highest degree. For Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “I have only been sent to perfect noble characteristics”. So if you wish to become his ambassadors, show the world a glimpse of his noble character in your character and then perhaps, you may have the moral right to celebrate the “love for the Prophet (pbuh) day”.
