Cartoon Controversy caused
violent and non-violent protest worldwide. Many Religious personalities issued
Fatwas against Cartoonist. Some boycotted products from the country where
cartoons were published. A Muslim brother Ibrahim Hooper(Council on
American-Islamic Relations) issued a statement on cartoon controversy on Feb 4,
2006. It could not be covered by the news media because media was focusing on
violent protests.
We in Pakistan also protested against that act very violently. I feel that this
would be a nice platform to resubmit that Statement for my Pakistani brothers
and sisters to think from different angle. This may help us to revisit Islam and
our understanding of Islam.
Please read following lines and send me your reaction on this article.
Following is the Statement issued by Ibarhim Hooper, Chair of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Feb 4, 2006
"You do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with
forgiveness and kindness." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
That description of Islam's Prophet Muhammad is a summary of how he reacted to
personal attacks and abuse.
Islamic traditions include a number of instances of the prophet having the
opportunity to strike back at those who attacked him, but refraining from doing
so.
These traditions are particularly important as we witness outrage in the Islamic
world over cartoons, initially published in a Danish newspaper, that were viewed
as intentional attacks on the prophet.
Peaceful and not-so-peaceful protests have occurred from Gaza to Indonesia.
Boycotts have targeted companies based in Denmark and in other nations that
reprinted the offensive caricatures.
We all, Muslims and people of other faiths, seem to be locked into a downward
spiral of mutual mistrust and hostility based on self-perpetuating stereotypes.
As Muslims, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves, "What would the
Prophet Muhammad do?"
Muslims are taught the tradition of the woman who would regularly throw trash on
the prophet as he walked down a particular path.
The prophet never responded in kind to the woman's abuse. Instead, when she one
day failed to attack him, he went to her home to inquire about her condition.
In another tradition, the prophet was offered the opportunity to have God punish
the people of a town near Mecca who refused the message of Islam and attacked
him with stones. Again, the prophet did not choose to respond in kind to the
abuse.
A companion of the prophet noted his forgiving disposition. He said: "I served
the prophet for ten years, and he never said 'uf' (a word indicating impatience)
to me and never blamed me by saying, 'Why did you do so or why didn't you do
so?'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Even when the prophet was in a position of power, he chose the path of kindness
and reconciliation.
When he returned to Mecca after years of exile and personal attacks, he did not
take revenge on the people of the city, but instead offered a general amnesty.
In the Quran, Islam's revealed text, God states: "When (the righteous) hear vain
talk, they withdraw from it saying: 'Our deeds are for us and yours for you;
peace be on to you. We do not desire the way of the ignorant'. . .O Prophet
(Muhammad), you cannot give guidance to whom you wish, it is God Who gives
guidance to whom He pleases, and He is quite aware of those who are guided."
(28:55-56)
The Quran also says: "Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and
beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most
gracious: for thy Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive
guidance." (16:125)
Another verse tells the prophet to "show forgiveness, speak for justice and
avoid the ignorant." (7:199)
These are the examples that Muslims should follow as they express justifiable
concern at the publication of the cartoons.
This unfortunate episode can be used as a learning opportunity for people of all
faiths who sincerely wish to know more about Islam and Muslims. It can also be
viewed as a "teaching moment" for Muslims who want to exemplify the prophet's
teachings through the example of their good character and dignified behavior in
the face of provocation and abuse.
As the Quran states: "It may well be that God will bring about love (and
friendship) between you and those with whom you are now at odds." (60:7)