السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Saturday 31st October 2020.
My chosen topic today is ‘The Best Response to Those Who Mock Our Beautiful Religion’.
From the early days of Islam, there have always been a few who make fun out of our religion. If we ponder upon recent history, many of us will recall the Satanic Verses saga. Living in the UK and Western countries, we all abided by the law of the land and opposed the writer of this book by holding protests, demonstrations and also the burning of the book. Many bookshops that sold the book were boycotted and, مَا شَآءَ الله, Muslims all over the globe made a lot of noise.
Five years ago, we faced the cartoons issue, which has re-emerged again this week. Having pondered over the issue and thinking of the best response to such situations, the following came to mind, which I would like to share with you.
Firstly for our sisters. Imagine you were informed of the arrival of Ḥaḍrat ‘Āisha, رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, Ḥaḍrat Khadījah, رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah, رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا, and the rest of the Wives and Daughters, رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُن, of the Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, to your local town.
- If you met them, would they recognise you as a Muslim?
- Would you be in a position to meet with them?
- Would they be happy to see you in your normal state?
Similar questions for the brothers. Say The Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, The Khulafāʾ ur-Rāshidūn, رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُم, and the Saḥābah, رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُم, met you on the streets.
- Would they recognise you as a Muslim?
- Would you be able to run towards them to meet them?
- Would they be happy with you?
To claim verbally that we love Islam and love our Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, is indeed a very noble and rewarding act. However, is that enough to show true love?
The best response to those who mock our religion is to improve our practising lives for the better. When the niqāb is made the target, niqābis should increase. When the Islamic garments are made fun of, there should be more people adopting the Islamic attire. When Ḥalāl food is under attack, more of us should be eating genuine Ḥalāl food.
Putting everything into context, today, The Best of Creations, The Mercy of the Worlds, The Beloved of Allāh, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, is under attack. Let’s respond by not just saying ‘Our Prophet Our Honour’. Let’s go one step further.
Let all of us become practising Muslims and try our utmost best to follow each and every Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم.
This will be the best response to those who make fun out of our religion. Yes, of course, we should use all diplomatic means to hit the enemies where it hurts the most by boycotts and other legal means. However, if this mockery is a life changer for us, then we have won the battle in this world and the Hereafter. If guidance is written for the enemies of Islam, we pray for their guidance. If not, then may Almighty Allāh cleanse the earth of such disobedient people, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
Complementary Resources
Love and Reverence for the Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
The Honour of Rasūlullāh, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, and the Need of the Time