An Offensive Film? The Prophetic Action Plan
Mohamed Akram
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images Friday
ushered in a wave of protests across the Middle East and elsewhere
after Muslim faithful gathered for prayers. Around 5,000 protesters
stormed the embassies of the US, Britain and Germany, which was torched
and badly damaged. 
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images As
authorities in Sudan struggled to prevent protesters from creating yet
more mayhem, elsewhere, in Tunisia, anger was also raging. Demonstrators
protest outside the US embassy, unseen, in Tunis, as police responded
to protesters throwing stones with tear gas. 
Hassene Dridi/AP A
group of demonstrators stormed the US embassy, making it past security
forces who fired tear gas and warning shots to try repulse the crowd. A
thick plume of black smoke was seen coming from the embassy building.  STR/EPA A
Yemeni protester holds a banner praising the Prophet Mohammed as he
walks past burning tyres at a crossroad leading to the US embassy,
during a demonstration in Sanaa. Yemeni security forces fired warning
shots, tear gas and water cannon to disperse people.  MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
In
Lebanon, protesters carry flags that read "There is no God but Allah
and Mohammad is his messenger" and chant slogans during a protest
against a film they considered blasphemous to Islam and insulting to the
Prophet Mohammad in a mosque in Tripoli, northern Lebanon.  STRINGER/REUTERS Lebanese men ransack US fast food chains Hardee's and KFC as they protest against the controversial film "Innocence of Muslims".
STR/AFP/Getty Images In
Morocco, Salafist demonstrators tear down a US flag during a protest
outside a mosque in the impoverished Rahma neighbourhood of Sale, the
twin town of the Moroccan capital Rabat. 
ABDELHAK SENNA/AFP/Getty Images Protests
in Egypt entered their fourth day. Egyptian protesters throw stones to
the riot police during clashes near the US embassy in Cairo. Just a few
young protesters pelt rocks randomly, with no response from police. The
clashes subsided after Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood withdrew calls for
nationwide protests, saying they would instead participate in a
"symbolic" demonstration. 
-/AFP/Getty Images Palestinians
chant slogans during a protest after Friday prayers in front of the
Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City. Clashes broke out between a
part of the crowd and Israeli police as the demonstration moved out of
the Old City, with security forces firing tear gas and stun grenades
that injured at least five people. 
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images Palestinian
Hamas supporters burn US and Israeli flags plus an effigy of Morris
Sadek, a Coptic American associated with the video, during a protest in
Gaza City. 
Hatem Moussa/AP People
shout slogans during a protest in Basra, Iraq. Thousands of Sunni and
Shia demonstrators gathered in anger over the video.  ATEF HASSAN/REUTERS Demonstrators
in Qatar near the US embassy. The protest was reportedly called by
Doha-based Egyptian Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. A mix of Qataris and
foreigners, chanted slogans such as: "Obama, Obama, we are all Osama".  Matthew Cassel/Matthew Cassel
Iranian
protesters hold anti-US posters as they demonstrate after Friday
prayers. Thousands of people yelling "Death to America" and "Death to
Israel" were rallying in central Tehran. 
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images Turkish Muslim demonstrators shout slogans against the US during a protest after Friday prayers in Istanbul.
TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA Afghans
burn an effigy of US President Barack Obama in the Ghanikhel district
of Nangarhar province, east of Kabul. Protesters were angry about the
video which depicts Muhammad as a fraud, a womaniser and a madman.  Rahmat Gul/AP People
shout slogans during a protest in Quetta, Pakistan. The Pakistani
parliament passed a resolution the day prior condemning the anti-Islamic
video that sparked outrage across the Muslim world, and urged the US to
take appropriate action. Lawmakers expressed their anger hours after
the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the video had hurt the
people of Pakistan and Muslims across the world.  MUSA FARMAN/EPA Bangladeshi Muslims burn flags of the US and Israel during a protest in Dhaka.
A.M. Ahad/AP A
Kashmiri Muslim shouts anti-US slogans during a demonstration against
the controversial film in Srinagar. Video-sharing website YouTube
blocked access in India to the video, which surfaced in the US.  ROUF BHAT/AFP/Getty Images
Elsewhere in India, Muslims hold placards as they shout anti-US slogans during a demonstration in Amritsar, Punjab.
NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images D |
An Offensive Film? The Prophetic Action Plan
What would he have done in a similar situation?
Did he face a similar situation, to begin with?
Of course he did, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) faced a lot of difficulties and hardships during his life, and defamation and insults. After a quick review of these incidents, we can come up with an action plan of six steps:
Step 1: Take it easy! "They are talking about someone else"
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We disobey "Mothammam",
And refuse his matter,
And reject his religion.
Poetry at that time was THE media, these verses were spread everywhere, repeated by kids and by travelers in the deserts, so it had a huge effect. Umm Jameel's short poem made some companions sad, angry, and helpless, especially in the early days of Islam when they were weak. Here comes the great attitude of the praised one, peace and blessings on him, whom I sacrifice my family and my soul for. He told the companions:
Isn't it amazing how Allah is protecting me from the Quraish's insults? They are cursing and swearing at "Mothammam", and I am "Muhammad"! (Al-Bukhari)
The first step in answering or reacting to any insult against our Prophet, to any act of burning the Qur'an by a bigot, to any tweet or to any YouTube comment is to take it easy, rationalize the situation, don't let your anger lead your steps. In a beautiful hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) redefines strength:
The strong is not the one who overcomes people by use of his physical strength; rather he is the one who controls himself while in anger. (Al-Bukhari)
Step 2: Find the "Oprah Winfrey" of your time
| I envy Hassaan for his role in supporting Islam through his media and art work. |
Oh Allah, give him (Hassan ) the support of the holy spirit (Angel Gabriel) (Muslim)
Reply on their defamation, because it is tougher on them than arrows (Muslim)
(Got the hint from the Prophet? Your poetry is more effective than missiles, arrows, and bombing embassies!!)
Whenever I read these ahadith, I envy Hassaan for his role in supporting Islam through his media and art work. I ask myself: where is the Hassaan ibn Thabet of our time? Who is the lucky person who will receive a copy of Hassan's supplication, through a video, an article, or a well-presented argument?
Step 3: Win the hearts
| {Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?} (An-Nur 24:22) |
{And let not those among you who are blessed with graces and wealth swear not to give any sort of help to their relatives, the poor, and those who left their homes for Allah's Cause. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} (An-Nur 24:22)
What happened is that one of the companions who was carried away in these rumors was Mustah ibn Athathah, who was a close family member to Abu Bakr and used to get financial support from him. After the incident, Abu Bakr made an oath that he will never pay Mustah a penny! But the great Qur'an and the magnificent teachings of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) go beyond reactions and revenges; it aims at winning the hearts, at spreading love and forgiveness especially with those who wronged us! Allah ordered Abu Bakr to break his oath, and forgive Mustah, if he wants the forgiveness of Allah.
Contrary to what the movie and those behind it were trying to promote: Islam IS the religion of forgiveness, love, and mercy, so please don't help them by showing a different image of this GREAT deen!
Step 4: Don't support their marketing campaign, for FREE!
The ease of communication through social media outlets (facebook, twitter, etc…) in addition to other video websites (such as youtube) places a huge responsibility on its users, Muslims and non-Muslims. Any post or tweet can reach millions; any movie – regardless of the quality and the value of it – can cause irreversible damages. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears." (Muslim)
In this regard, PLEASE don't share anything that comes in hand, don't post or forward it! While I don't have statistics in hand, I can confirm that the Muslims are being the best advertisers and promoters for such movies (and for free), simply by either sharing the movie or by reacting offensively to it. Allah describes the slaves of the Most Merciful (`Ibadu Ar-Rahman):
{and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.}(Al-Furqan 25:63)
Step 5: Patience + Taqwa
One of my friends on facebook commented: "I don't understand why people make such films; why do they feel that they need to attack all that is sacred to others! Why do they enjoy spreading fitnah? What evil motivates such people?"
While I strongly agree with my friend, we have to realize that this sick mentality existed and will always exist. Allah told us in Surat Aal-`Imran:
{You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allah, but if you persevere patiently, and have Taqwa (consciousness about Allah) then that is indeed a matter requiring strong resolve.} (Aal-`Imran 3:186)
While patience is more of a passive act that requires NOT doing a certain behavior,Taqwa is a proactive term; Taqwa is to react (or even act) while being conscious about Allah; Taqwa is to reply, defend, post, tweet, and even demonstrate, but while being watchful for what you do and being considerate for the consequences of your actions.
Step 6: Don't Do NOTHING
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| Don't do NOTHING! |
While we condemn all the acts of violence that are made under the name of Islam and under the excuse of defending the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), I consider that our biggest problem is the silent majority of Muslims who simply do nothing in response to these insults. To those I say: Don't do NOTHING! Don't be the passive apologetic Muslim who watches the news, frowns at the mistakes of ignorant Muslims and Non-Muslim haters, and then goes back to their sleepy life without any contribution to the world around them. In the words of Albert Einstein:
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
The problem is not because we have extremists on both sides (among Muslims, and among non-Muslims); the disaster is that the silent majority on both sides is being passive, it is OUR responsibility to step up, open branches for dialogue and healthy debates, post smart comments online that promote the real image of Islam (Please, no foul language!). You can also start action by SHARING this article and other related pieces with your family and friends, and spread the awareness. It is about time that we show the world our great deen and at the same time set the clear limit between freedom of speech from one end, and respect for the faith of 1.6 billion human beings on this earth f