Connect with us

#Current Affairs

Draw Muhammad – Another Point of View

Published

Turn on the T.V. in last few weeks and we are inundated Draw Muhammad news. First it is was the contest in Texas; then there was the attempt to place the drawing on Washington, D.C. Metro systems; now there is the rally in Phoenix.

While violence is not the way to respond these kinds of events (truthfully, in my opinion violence is never the way to respond to anything), what if our approach as Muslims is completely wrong. Let’s take a step back and look at this another way.

The story of how Abraham raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) destroyed the idols in his father’s shop can be found in the Jewish text of the Midrash Genesis Rabbah 38.13, and Surat Al-‘Anbyā’. For those that don’t know, Abraham raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) destroyed all the idols in his father’s shop, except for one. He placed the stick in front of the only remaining idol. His father asked what happened and Abraham replied by saying

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

“Rather, this – the largest of them – did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak.” (21:63) Oddly enough, his father didn’t believe him.

What should we take away from this? That Allah does not want anyone worshiping idols. I understand that this seems to just be for the Jewish people and Muslims, but wait…there is more!

In the Bible (NIV), in the book of Exodus chapter 20 verse 4 through 6 we read:

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “

The same verse can be found in the Torah. So this commandment holds for the Jewish people and the Christians. What about Muslims? Well other than the fact that we believe in the 10 commandments, we can read in Surat Al-Ĥaj

“That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah – it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement…” (22:30). That seems like a pretty clear command from Allah.

However if that isn’t enough for you there is Surat ‘Ibrāhīm (14:35)

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.””

No matter how you look at it a strong case can be made against idols and idol worship in any of the 3 major religions; thus we can all agree that idol worship is wrong.

When someone draws the Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) Muslims get upset, why? Because we shouldn’t have images of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) for fear that someone might worship that image and not Allah. Someone could put more faith in that image than in Allah.

But here is a question for all of you reading this –  When Family Guy animates Jesus raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) into an episode where is the Muslim outrage? When South Park animates Jesus raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) into one of their shows are Muslims protesting? When Adult Swim debuted the show “Black Jesus” where was the Muslim voice saying that it was wrong?

Is Jesus raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) not our Prophet too? Are these not images of a Prophet being broadcasted?

When the Family Guy episode aired the inquisitr.com reported that “Christian News says that this time Seth McFarlane, who is an outspoken atheist, has gone too far in his mockery of Jesus Christ. A collection of angry comments proved that Christians were not happy with Family Guy’s treatment of their savior, Jesus Christ.

After “Black Jesus” aired on Adult Swim USA Today reported that a pastor said “It was horrible, disgusting and completely offensive. Down to a person, everyone in the youth group was offended. It just shows where we are a nation. … We have no respect for God,

The article goes on to say… “The loss of faith among youth is having a detrimental impact on the nation… When I was a senior in high school, in 1974, prayer was a part of our society, there was an acknowledgment of God,” he said. “Today, faith is perceived as a myth. There is a lack of respect for the authority of God, although I will tell you that if Hollywood had produced a program called Black Muhammad, or whatever, there would be an outrage.”

The Reverend that made this statement is spot on. We are commanded in Surat Al-`Ankabūt “And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say,

“We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” (29:46). As Muslims shouldn’t we “Love your neighbor as yourself.”? (NIV, Mark 12:31).

I get that in this current anti-Muslim climate it may seem like a lot to ask; especially when it feels that everyone is out to “get you.” But the first step is trying; after all if Muslims can protect the Jews  while they pray in Norway, and Christians can protect Muslims while they pray in Egypt, maybe we can work together to put an end to this Draw Muhammed fad without letting people that use violence as a means of communication speak for us.

 

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Carl Dodge, originally from New England, now lives in the Washington D.C. area where he runs his own consulting firm, Rose and Angel Productions Carl converted to Islam in 2009 after reading “Towards Understanding Islam” by Abul A’la Mawdudi.  Since his conversation he has been interviewed by RT T.V. for the special “Unlikely Converts” (http://goo.gl/SO1Xc3)  and had an Algerian State TV Ramadan special done on him (http://goo.gl/XBwKVK). Carl has been designing websites and dealing in social media for the last 15 years. He started building sites back when all the coding had to done in Microsoft Notepad. Since then he has kept up with the changes working with Wordpress, doing graphic design, and making sure that all sites are Web 2.0 compliant.  He can be found on Twitter at @BCDodge_me

27 Comments

27 Comments

  1. Stardusty Psyche

    May 29, 2015 at 8:16 PM

    Brother Dodge,
    The draw Muhammad events will end when Muslims no longer kill critics who draw Muhammad.

    Is the faith of Muslims so weak that they cannot be trusted to pray to Allah? Are Muslims so limited in their thinking that Muslims might start praying to a cartoon?

    Fear of idol worship is the justification for murder?

    I strongly support draw Muhammad day (which has been an internet event for years). I strongly support the draw Muhammad events, and public display of caricatures of Muhammad.

    American Muslims will just have to get used to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

    I am deeply offended by all kinds of things all kinds of people say. Too bad for me.

    • B.C. Dodge

      May 31, 2015 at 1:17 PM

      Thank you for your comment.
      I think at some point this stops being about the First Amendment, and becomes about bullying.
      I do agree, as I said in my post, that violence is not the way to respond at anyone for anything.

      • Pulsar Stargrave

        June 17, 2015 at 2:18 AM

        Funny how the governments of the West are incapable of practicing what you’re “preaching”! You and the whole “Draw Muhammad” movement are typical bullies: you provoke a confrontation and then you’re shocked when someone responds violently! Reagan launched a covert war on the middle east because the Iranians threw out the shah puppet and kept hostages until he was returned for punishment! Too many governments don’t know how to stand up for righteousness but believe only that “might makes right”; in much the same way you think taking cheapshots at someone’s faith makes you right when all you’re doing is revealing the decadence some of these extremists accuse you of having!

      • Harpya

        July 16, 2015 at 8:15 PM

        But the Exodus never happened, thats clear, ist all a myth of ancient generations.
        The ten commandments , exept those wit a god in it,
        were long before common sense in the jewish community.
        Exodus is just a saga, a legend.

    • ShooblaKhan

      June 6, 2015 at 6:39 PM

      I don’t know why people say it’s because of fear of worship. That’s an obscure reason because of which *historically* Muslims have stayed away from portraying him. He has – in fact – been portrayed at various places and these images are well known and have been well tolerated.

      The contemporary reason there is so much offence taken is because of the clear malicious intent with which these images are drawn. The idea that it is due to idol worship is quite silly and I am surprised that these article is putting it forward as a serious concern or addressing it as the primary motivation.

      I know the reaction in the Muslim world is concerning but it’s quite belittling of Muslims to think that they’re getting angry because of a fear of worshipping these cartoons. Give them their due credit people, regardless of how you feel about it. Muslims need to grow a thicker skin and a more mature mindset in this regard, but they aren’t so dumb as to be getting upset over the fear of accidental worship.

  2. M. Mahmud

    May 29, 2015 at 10:01 PM

    The biggest reason Muslims hate it and rightfully so is not that people will worship him but that is disrespectful. Skirting over that in the article and moving on to Isa AS isn’t helpful at all but that’s precisely what is in this article. You mention dislike of him being worshiped but I think you know very well that the vast majority of Muslims on the earth are not angry for that reason at all. Obviously we despise all insulting of the Anbiya and Mursaleen but we despise more than anything the insulting of the Sayyid of the Anbiya and Mursaleen Muhammad al Amin abdullahi wa rasoolihi.

    Please make this article more balanced. I think it has potential.

    • B.C. Dodge

      May 31, 2015 at 1:59 PM

      Thank you for your comment.
      I do agree that there is a difference between an image and a defaming image of any Prophet.
      My point was that we should be offended when any Prophet’s image is used in an offensive manner.

  3. Peter Hall

    May 29, 2015 at 10:10 PM

    Hi,

    You are right, in a way.

    My comments are directed to the SMALL minority of Muslims, NOT the peaceful majority.

    What needs to happen is for Islam to be more proactive on context.

    The extremists busily object and destroy ancient works of art, and condemn all images, not only those of mohammed.

    They do this on the mistaken belief and out of ignorance. The is nothing wrong with works of art or images of people, nothing at all. The value and success of any civilization can be measured by the quality and quantity of art in all its forms. How can God object to anything this man creates that is beautiful?

    The answer is, God doesn’t!

    What the Qu’ran, and all religious texts warn about is the individual worshipping any object, it is warning not to create objects for yourself to worship.

    No where does it say you have to be the idol Police, because to a Hindu, a cow is a sacred animal, to an Australian a cow is a good BBQ. To a Muslim, halal meat is fine, to a militant vegetarian it is cruel and evil to eat animals.

    So the majority of peoples of faith, understand that what is said in the Quran, Bible and Torah, about being aware not to create for yourself false idols, false Gods, take it as an act of personal responsibility.

    Hence, the people who go about destroying what they think are idols are only showing that their faith is weak, and they are stupid, like the efforts to destroy the Pyramids, are the muslims of Egypt worried that a religion that has not existed for 1800 years is about to make a comeback?

    The ones who object to idols, and who violently protest the mohammed Cartoons, are actually the ones offending Islam, as they are treating the cartoon images of Mohammed as a if he was a God, they are idolaters.

    They are creating a false God, in their worship of Mohammed, they deny what they do is worrship, but in reality everybody else sees what they do as worship. Mohammed only claimed to be a Prophet, he should not be worshipped. That is the domain of God, or Allah, or whatever your faith calls God.

    The extremists in destroying the Muslim tombs in Timbuktu and Saudi Arabia, attempting to destroy the pyramids, or the buddha statues in Afghanistan( I did not know there was any eminent danger of the Buddhist population of Afghanistan reappearing?), or the ancient temples in Syria and Iraq, are not doing Gods work, they are doing the work of Satan.

    They are destroying the collective heritage of mankind, out of total ignorance.

    All Muslims bear some responsibility, not for their actions, their actions are that of evil, but for allowing such perversions and evil, to be done in the name of Islam.

    The Islamic extremists are weak spiritually, morally and ethically, they fear that works of art or architecture , that no one worships, that no one appreciates other than as works of art, or culture or human history, are so dangerous, that they need to be destroyed. They are basically saying that all Muslims are so pathetically weak minded, that the sight of a 2000 yo stone statue will cause them immediately to start worshipping it.

    Using the same logic, should Muslim extremists eat beef? As Hindus worrship cows, cows are technically then idols, so eating beef could be a danger to Muslims incase they start all of a sudden worshipping their kababs ?

    Now if I was a Muslim, I would be extremely upset, that the Muslim extremist minority are not only making Islam look stupid and ridiculous, but destroying the heritage is Islam and mankind as well, and possibly my beef.

    The problem with Islam is not Islam, any reasonable person can take the message in context and work out what is meant. the problem with Islam is that the majority of Muslims do not love Islam enough, to protect it from the cancer within, those who are clearly doing Satan’s work, not Allahs.

    • Ibn Islam

      May 30, 2015 at 6:51 AM

      With all due respect but you are claiming that some people are ignorant and worship satan because of their actions, that in itself is arrogant. Just because you lack knowledge of your own doesn’t give you the right to make such claims. Your believe understanding of Islam is based on your current knowledge, always remember that. People who destroy idols to protect tawheed may be doing other acts that may not be permissible in Islam but that doesn’t give anyone the right to discredit all of their actions.

      Sahih Muslim

      Chapter 47: FORBIDDANCE TO BUILD MOSQUES ON THE GRAVES AND DECORATING THEM WITH PICTURES AND FORBIDDANCE TO USE THE GRAVES AS MOSQUES

      Book 004, Number 1076:
      ‘A’isha reported: Umm Habiba and Umm Salama made a mention before the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) of a church which they had seen in Abyssinia and which had pictures in it. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When a pious person amongst them (among the religious groups) dies they build a place of worship on his grave, and then decorate it with such pictures. They would be the worst of creatures on the Day of judgment in the sight of Allah.

      Book 004, Number 1079:
      ‘A’isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said during his illness from which he never recovered: Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians that they took the graves of their prophets as mosques. She (‘A’isha) reported: Had it not been so, his (Prophet’s) grave would have been in an open place, but it could not be due to the fear that it may not be taken as a mosque.
      Book 004, Number 1080:
      Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Let Allah destroy the Jews for they have taken the graves of their apostles as places of worship.
      Book 004, Number 1081:
      Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Let there be curse of Allah upon the Jews and the Christians for they have taken the graves of their apostles as places of worship.
      Book 004, Number 1082:
      ‘A’isha and Abdullah reported: As the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was about to breathe his last, he drew his sheet upon his face and when he felt uneasy, he uncovered his face and said in that very state: Let there be curse upon the Jews and the Christians that they have taken the graves of their apostles as places of worship. He in fact warned (his men) against what they (the Jews and the Christians) did.
      Book 004, Number 1083:
      Jundub reported: I heard from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) five days before his death and he said: I stand acquitted before Allah that I took any one of you as friend, for Allah has taken me as His friend, as he took Ibrahim as His friend. Had I taken any one of my Ummah as a friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr as a friend. Beware of those who preceded you and used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous men as places of worship, but you must not take graves as mosques; I forbid you to do that.

      20894: Obligation to destroy idols
      Is it obligatory to destroy statues in Islam, even if they are part of the legacy of human civilization? Why is it that when the Sahaabah conquered other lands and saw statues there they did not destroy them?.
      Praise be to Allaah.
      The evidence of sharee’ah indicates that it is obligatory to destroy idols, for example:

      1 – Muslim (969) narrated that Abu’l-Hayaaj al-Asadi said: ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said to me: “Shall I not send you with the same instructions as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent me? ‘Do not leave any image without defacing it or any built-up grave without leveling it.’”

      2 – Muslim (832) narrated from ‘Urwah ibn ‘Abasah that he said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “With what were you sent?” He said, “I was sent to uphold the ties of kinship, to break the idols, and so that Allaah would be worshipped alone with no partner or associate.”

      The obligation to destroy them is even stronger if they are worshipped instead of Allaah.

      3 – al-Bukhaari (3020) and Muslim (2476) narrated that Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Bajali said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “O Jareer, will you not relieve me of Dhu’l-Khalsah?” That was a house (in Yemen) belonging to the (tribe of) Khath’am, which was called Ka’bat al-Yamaaniyyah. I set out with one hundred and fifty horsemen. I used not to sit firm on horses and I mentioned that to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He struck me on my chest with his hand and said, ‘O Allaah! Make him firm and make him one who guides others and is guided on the right path.’ ” So Jareer went and burned it with fire, then Jareer sent a man called Abu Artaat to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He said, “I did not come to you until we had left it like a scabby camel.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) blessed the horses of (the tribe of) Ahmas and their men five times.

      Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

      This hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed to remove things that may tempt or confuse the people, whether they are buildings, people, animals or inanimate objects.

      4 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent Khaalid ibn al-Waleed (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy al-‘Uzza.

      5 – and he sent Sa’d ibn Zayd al-Ashhali (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy Manaat.

      6 – And he sent ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) on a campaign to destroy Suwaa’. All of that happened after the Conquest of Makkah.

      Al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah, 4/712. 776. 5/83; al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah by Dr. ‘Ali al-Salaabi, 2/1186.

      Al-Nawawi said in Sharh Muslim when discussing the issue of image-making:

      They were unanimously agreed that whatever casts a shadow is not allowed and must be changed.

      Images that cast a shadow are three-dimensional images like these statues.

      With regard to what is said about the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) not destroying idols in the conquered lands, this is merely conjecture. The companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would not have left idols and statues alone, especially since they were worshipped at that time.

      If it is asked, how come the Sahaabah left alone the ancient idols of the Pharaohs and Phoenicians? The answer is that these idols fall into one of three categories:

      1 – These idols may have been in remote places that the Sahaabah did not reach; when the Sahaabah conquered Egypt, for example, that does not mean that they reached every part of the land.

      2 – These idols may not have been visible, rather they may have been inside Pharaonic buildings etc. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us to hasten when passing through the abodes of the wrongdoers and those who had been punished, and he forbade entering such places. In al-Saheehayn it is says: “Do not enter upon those who have been punished unless you are weeping, lest there befall you something like that which befall them.” He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that when he passed by ashaab al-hijr [the dwellers of the rocky tract – see al-Hijr 15:80], in the land of Thamood, the people of Saalih (peace be upon him).

      According to another report narrated in al-Saheehayn, “If you are not weeping, then do not enter upon them, lest there befall you something like that which befall them.”

      What we think is that if the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw a temple or building belonging of these people, they did not enter it or even look at what was inside it.

      This will dispel any confusion about why the Sahaabah did not see the Pyramids or what is inside them. There is also the possibility that their doors and entrances were covered with sand at that time.

      3 – Many of these idols that are visible nowadays were covered and hidden, and have only been discovered recently, or they have been brought from remote places that the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not reach.

      Al-Zarkali was asked about the Pyramids and the Sphinx etc: Did the Sahaabah who entered Egypt see them?

      He said: They were mostly covered with sand, especially the Sphinx.

      Shibh Jazeerat al-‘Arab, 4/1188

      Then even if we assume that there was a statue that was visible and not hidden, then we still have to prove that the Sahaabah saw it and were able to destroy it.

      The fact of the matter is that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) would not have been able to destroy some of these statues. It took twenty days to destroy some of these statues even with tools, equipment, and explosives etc that were not available to the Sahaabah at all.

      This is indicated by what Ibn Khuldoon said in al-Muqaddimah (p. 383), that the caliph al-Rasheed was unable to destroy the estrade of Chosroes. He started to do that, and he gathered men and tools, and burned it with fire, and poured vinegar on it, but he was unable to do it. And the caliph al-Ma’moon wanted to destroy the Pyramids in Egypt and he gathered workers but he could not do it.

      With regard to the excuse that these statues are part of the legacy of mankind, no attention should be paid to such words. Al-Laat, al-‘Uzaa, Hubal, Manaat and other idols were also a legacy for those who worshipped them among Quraysh and the Arabs.

      This is a legacy, but it is a haraam legacy which should be uprooted. When the command comes from Allaah and His Messenger, then the believer must hasten to obey, and the command of Allaah and His Messenger cannot be rejected on the grounds of this flimsy excuse. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

      “The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allaah (His Words, the Qur’aan) and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say: “We hear and we obey.” And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise)”

      [al-Noor 24:51]

      We ask Allaah to help the Muslims to do that which He loves and which pleased Him.

      And Allaah knows best.
      http://islamqa.info/en/20894

      • B.C. Dodge

        May 31, 2015 at 1:51 PM

        Thank you for your comment.
        My point had nothing to do with the worship satan.
        My point was that we, as Muslims, should be offended when ANY Prophet’s image or name is used in an inappropriate manner.

        May Allah forgive us all for errors that we have made, and have mercy on us all.

  4. M. Mahmud

    May 29, 2015 at 10:37 PM

    “Black Muhammad, or whatever”

    This pastor insulted Rasulullah sallahualayhiwasalam by speaking like this. May he be disgraced and this is a typical Christian tactic to bring us to attention.

    • Aly Balagamwala

      May 31, 2015 at 1:53 AM

      Dear Mahmud

      Stop trying to read negative things into everything. There was no intention of insult in his statement just that if the program was ‘Black Muhammad’ instead of ‘Black Jesus’ there would have been outrage.

      And there should have been outrage by Muslims on the program mocking Prophet Jesus (AS) as much as there is on any attempt to mock Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

      Wallahu Alam.
      Aly

      *The above comment is made in a personal capacity and may not reflect the views of MuslimMatters or its staff.

      • M. Mahmud

        May 31, 2015 at 4:07 AM

        Trust me this is typical of Christians to say the name of the final Messenger in a disrespectful way. Evangelicals and their leaders are the worst in this.

    • B.C. Dodge

      May 31, 2015 at 1:43 PM

      I would ask what the goal of this “Christian Tact” is?
      Brother Aly is right, and he restated my point, as Muslims we too should have been outraged by this show no mater what.

    • Kristy

      June 4, 2015 at 9:47 PM

      I am an Evangelical Christian of whom you spoke. In 35 years listening to my Pastor’s sermons, Islam, Muhammad, and Muslims have never been mentioned. At all. Ever. Sermons are to instruct us on the teachings of God in Jesus Christ, and Jesus never mentioned Islam, Muhammad or Muslims nor did He instruct us to hate, criticize or condemn others. Sermons about forgiveness, love and peace feed us spiritually with the peace that indeed passes all understanding. Mr. Mahmud, I pray that you also hear sermons in your mosque that calm and feed your spirit.

    • Arash

      December 5, 2016 at 2:44 PM

      {After “Black Jesus” aired on Adult Swim USA Today reported that a pastor said “It was horrible, disgusting and completely offensive. Down to a person, everyone in the youth group was offended. It just shows where we are a nation.} … We have no respect for God,

      And now, how this comment was the insult to your Mohammad? I don’t understand. I wish you would have explained it.

  5. Taqwa

    May 31, 2015 at 4:49 AM

    I’m sorry but I’m missing a distinct conclusion and even a distinct resolution in this article addressing this so-called problem? Is it that you just want to see Muslims publicly be outraged by all image-making of all known Prophets shared in the monotheistic religions? Or do you want see again more Muslims publicly denounce the violent response that appears to come from the “Muslim side” (Charlie Hebdo)? How much in a form of measure is enough to placate and halt the hatred? Apparently since 9/11 Muslims, as one entity, have this duty to the public for more more and more in order to be granted the gracious honor of simply existing unharmed in a non-Islamic society. Surely you realize by now whatever the majority of worshippers say or do, including by our appointed public figures and leaders, it falls on deaf ears and the fewer blantant wrongdoers hiding behind the religion obtain the focus always anyway. President Obama can hand over his physical birth certificate clearly demonstrating his citizenship birth as American and yet still a significantly large population will never be convinced otherwise…

    Islam is also a religion of an individual, you were born alone and will die alone and your book on the Day of Judgement is all you. We need to be more concerned with our own image to our Creator. He is all-aware and the truest, best of Judges. We don’t need to constantly prove the same issues with non-Muslims over how this or that extremist group are actually not representative of Islam etc etc etc. We were also already given warnings by our Prophet SAW that Islam began as something strange and will revert to being something strange. If you want Muslims to be seen showing up and standing up against violent protests well, in Islam we are indeed warned not to transgress each other BUT also not to transgress against ourselves by exposing ourselves to that which may cause death or harm. Also, in my research I do believe anything animate formed as an image which includes picture taking of one another as humans and posting it is actually not permissible in Islam and yet so many of us do that. I find it hypocritical to get caught up in these kind of trends; they are surely a distraction from Shaitan and a test for us all that we often fail unfortunately. One shouldn’t be sharing snapshots of your own image over social media and wasting your time and energy defending all Muslims in these sensational news stories all while you are missing doing your Salah on time and neglecting making dua throughout the day for the Ummah etc…

    • B.C. Dodge

      May 31, 2015 at 1:41 PM

      Thank you for your comment.
      There is very little you said that I can disagree with :)
      But my point was, as you said Muslims should publicly be outraged by all image-making of all known Prophets shared in the monotheistic religions.
      And yes, one shouldn’t miss prayer over social media, and yes on the Day of Judgement it will just be you and your deeds before Allah.
      May Allah forgive us all for errors that we have made, and have mercy on us all.

      • Taqwa

        May 31, 2015 at 7:19 PM

        Brother, you have really good intentions in your article Mash’Allah.

        However, I am just pointing out that any outward attempt for peaceful inclusion with other religions through the idea of universal respect of religious figures common to our faiths is ultimately fruitless. We should turn inward instead. Every known Muslim on this Earth through every media outlet can loudly and endlessly denounce disrespectful images of Prophet Isa (R.A.) [Jesus] and even abandon all outrage for the portrayal of Prophet SAW in return but still it won’t be recognized by non-Muslims.
        There will always be something to hate on and it goes in circles.
        We are forever “other” to them. We can’t join their club. This is a human trait above all else. Humans can never be pleased and are in a state of ignorance and arrogance. Discrimination began from Shaitan [Satan] believing Adam (R.A.) was too inferior to him to bow down to at Allah’s command and so obviously discrimination will never leave this dunya. Even those who are born Muslim who don’t practice eventually their hearts and ears seal and their sight dims in regards to the deen. Shaitan has a strong hold over all of us.

        Allah SWT on the other hand is infinite in forgiveness and mercy. Our concern should solely be in pleasing him. Our reputation is for him alone. The fitna happening is already written. The suffering at the hands of ourselves is destined and is meant as a test for each of us as his slaves. The world is considered so filthy that Allah SWT doesn’t descend upon it and yet he is closer to us than our jugular vein. Seek him best in the last 1/3 of the night while in Sajdah to make dua then for peace here and in the hereafter instead of promoting any form of outrage.

        I believe to excel with Allah SWT, to excel with non-Muslims, and to excel with Muslims is to concentrate on truly following the Prophet SAW’s living example – having good character and manners. Best to be silent when there is bad talk or bad company such as in these sensationalist stories. Give charity, smile, do your Salah on time, strive for better kushoo (focus) in your Salah, take care of an orphan, make dhikr throughout the day, eat what is halal, avoid the haram, do not backbite nor gossip, give thanks for absolutely everything at all times etc. etc. etc.

        I mean come on, we already know the Muslims who are violent extremist jihadists aren’t truly Muslim and do not represent Islam and we know that Allah SWT is bound to punish these individuals accordingly in unimaginable ways. We don’t need to worry about anyone or anything else-why waste our short time on this Earth doing so? We have people like in CAIR as well our Imams across the globe to do their jobs in representing us but it’s time for us to do our job in practicing which can also carry the benefit of unintentional dawah as we work on ourselves as individuals. May Allah SWT soften our hearts and guide us all on the straight path Ameen.

  6. Stardusty Psyche

    May 31, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    The draw Muhammad events are occurring and will continue to occur because people who draw Muhammad get shot and killed.

    The draw Muhammad events will stop when people stop getting attacked for drawing Muhammad.

    People are getting attacked for drawing Muhammad because the texts of Islam instruct the attackers to do so.

    We Americans value our freedoms so greatly that when somebody tries to tell us “you can’t” our response is do the very thing we have been threatened not to do, and boldly proclaim “oh yes we can”.

    We Americans do not base our exercise of free speech rights on the concerns about potential idol worship. There is no “except for idol worship” clause in the First Amendment to our constitution.

    • B.C. Dodge

      May 31, 2015 at 1:35 PM

      Thank you for your comment.
      As I have said a few time, violence is never the answer.
      The only question I would ask you is at what point does the exercising of first amendment right stop, and bullying begin?
      However, the point I was trying to make is that Muslims should with all faiths, when any Prophet is mocked.

  7. Wael Abdelgawad

    May 31, 2015 at 4:26 PM

    I’ve never been terribly offended by images of the Prophet Muhammad (sws) per se – even Muslims have historically done this, especially the Shiah. What is upsetting is the mockery of the Prophet.

    And you’re absolutely right, we should be offended by the mockery of any Prophet, and maybe Islamic organizations should make it a point to speak out against the mockery of Jesus (pbuh) as well.

  8. Abu Muhammad

    June 1, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    If you want to see the correct method of dealing with these kind of situations, look at how the sahaba acted towards those who mocked the Messenger of ALLAH sallallahu ‘alayhi wassallam. They had the deepest understanding of the deen and were the most rightly guided. Take example from their understanding and in sha ALLAH you will be guided to the correct understanding about this situation.

    • M.Mahmud

      June 1, 2015 at 4:41 PM

      I see what you did there…….well played brother.

    • Arash

      December 5, 2016 at 2:56 PM

      And what did they do? How did they respond? You didn’t elaborate; I hope you do.

  9. Kristy

    June 4, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    Mr. Dodge, although our theology is the difference between day and night, I want to thank you for your words of encouragement about properly protesting religious mockery. Before being hung by Hitler, Pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously quoted Pastor Martin Niemöller in 1945: “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.” As different as we are, Muslims and Christians and Jews do each have “religion” in common.

  10. Dyyf

    June 6, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    When you see a picture of Mohammed, whether complimentary or insulting, just say to yourself “God (Allah) is so much, infinitely greater than me and the artist. He’s so unimaginable great that he doesn’t care. He’s not a god who thinks this silly little drawing means anything. And he doesn’t need me ‘protecting’ him.”

    And walk on and forget the picture.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending