AN UNISLAMIC RESPONSE

The Bangalore-based English newspaper, Deccan Herald, published an insulting story about the Prophet in its Sunday edition on December 7, 1986, by PKN Namboodiri. It was undoubtedly untrue. However, the response from the Muslim community was utterly contrary to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet.

Outraged by the offensive article, a group of Muslims stormed the newspaper’s office and set fire to the warehouse, which contained printing paper worth ten million rupees. They referred to their actions as Islamic Jihad. However, such aggression from Muslims has no basis in the teachings of Islam. It was an unIslamic response.

Engaging in violent activities without seeking guidance from the life and teachings of the Prophet leads to adverse outcomes. It serves as an example of following personal desires and impulses.

God has granted freedom to everyone in this world of test. Therefore, incidents of misuse of freedom have occurred frequently throughout history. For instance, when the Prophet of Islam presented God’s message to the Arabs, they mistreated him. In addition to physical harassment, they used derogatory terms for the Prophet, such as ‘mad’, ‘magician,’ ‘liar,’ ‘condemned,’ and more.

However, when we examine the early period of Islam, we find no instances of retaliation against those who blasphemed the Prophet. The Prophet’s Companions did not organize protests, chant slogans against them, or resort to burning their homes and properties. Instead, they simply prayed for their guidance. Additionally, when necessary, they countered their allegations with logical arguments in poetry, which was common during that time. Ultimately, they left the judgment of such matters to God.

This example set by the Prophet and his Companions teaches us what an ideal response to such situations should be from the Islamic perspective. We should strive to dispel misconceptions through dialogue and scholarly articles about Islam written in a serious manner. These are the only actions Muslims can take following Islamic teachings.

Any response other than that invites the wrath of God, as God Almighty sent His Prophet as a source of mercy, not destruction. Unfortunately, the temperament of present- day Muslims has deprived them of a great blessing— the spirit of sincere well-wishing, which is a defining characteristic of those who convey the divine message. They should be honest advisors to their people, as impactful speech can only come from a spirit of love and compassion for the listener. However, when provoked, Muslims’ hearts harden towards others, and they no longer possess the desired mindset necessary to effectively convey the message of God’s Prophet in a profound and reasoned manner.

This irony is evident in the grand celebration of the Prophet’s birthday, while his followers, regrettably, have neglected to communicate his message. After the Prophet of Islam, this responsibility of conveying the divine message to all humanity fell upon his followers, who were required to have true well-wishes towards all nations. However, present-day Muslims have developed a predisposition towards a negative mindset.