Dr. Rasheed Al-Baidani Okaz newspaper I pondered over the events that took place during the last few weeks. Most important among them was the film insulting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that was produced in the US by a Christian Copt with the support of an Israeli Zionist. It was followed by the publication of caricatures that aimed to ridicule the Prophet (pbuh) by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo based in Paris, supposedly an oasis of freedom and democracy. I watched the reactions, most of which were characterized as exceeding proper bounds and done in haste without premeditation. As for the Islamic organizations, their reactions as usual were confined to condemnation and denunciation. Most others preferred to keep quiet, believing that silence is golden. In my belief, all of them had erred in their duty to the Prophet. A group of people rose in revolt and caused death and destruction and they claimed this was out of their love for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). In fact, they themselves harmed the Prophet by not following his path and adhering to his teachings. It is no wonder such an offense comes from people who reject Islam and disbelieve in its Prophet (pbuh). But the most wonderful thing is the case of those who follow the Prophet (pbuh) nominally without putting into practice his way of life. Let me ask a question. How did our brothers in Pakistan take to the streets out of their love of the Prophet (pbuh) and then kill 14 Muslims? Would the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) be satisfied with this? Also, I am certainly wondering about the case of those who killed the American ambassador and those with him in Libya. The Prophet had forbidden us from betraying those who are under our protection and safety and the Holy Qur'an warned us against killing anybody unjustly or creating sedition on Earth. Diplomatic missions of any country in the world cannot be held accountable for the actions of some of their citizens out of stupidity or even because of their involvement in a criminal offense. Of course, those who produced the film and drew caricatures or circulated them definitely wanted to ignite sedition in Islamic countries where Christians are a minority. They also wanted violent reactions to their provocation to prove to the world that Muslims are terrorists and murderers, and that they do not accept freedom of expression and creativity as they claim. Allah has ordered us to engage in healthy debate and respond to evil with good and forgiveness. There are several Qur'anic verses pointing to this such as, “... Repel (the evil) with one which is better,” and “... And reason with them in a way that is better.” We have also been forbidden from insulting infidels and those whom they worship so they are not provoked to insult God and His Prophet (pbuh). The Qur'an says: “And insult not those whom (unbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.” But, how should we confront this deluge of Christian and Jewish hostility toward Islam, its Prophet (pbuh) and Muslims throughout the world? Firstly, we should tell them: “Die with your rage.” Increase adherence to Islam and the teachings of our Prophet (pbuh), and this will cause pain to these disbelievers and bleed their hearts. Secondly, Islamic states as a whole should wield the weapon of economic boycott against all countries that demonstrate publicly their hostility toward our religion and Prophet (pbuh). There is nothing wrong if this boycott is for a limited period of time, for example, three months. This boycott could be directed to non-essential recreational products, and that would definitely worry the West. Thirdly, all media channels, including press, radio and television as well as social networking sites not only on domestic fronts but also on an international front, should be utilized to enlighten the world. We know about the value of Islam and its Prophet (pbuh). So we have to work out programs in all the major world languages to shed light on Islam and the Prophet (pbuh) as well as to introduce them to the world community in their languages, methodologies and curricula themselves. Thus, people would have a proper understanding about our religion, the Prophet (pbuh), and his message and personal qualities. These are some of the proposals, the first of which is concerned with the individual, the second a collective endeavor involving governments and employers, while the third primarily linked with governments. Most often, these should be fulfilled by the media. The private satellite channels can play a great role by setting aside one program for this goal in place of regular programs such as cookery shows, soap operas and talk shows that most often instigate division and disputes among citizens of the country. I would like to add that had these channels done this, it would have been a good deed on the part of their owners and atonement for their evils by spreading immorality through the channels. Sorry, O Messenger of God. May Allah guide your people because they do not have knowledge.
