{"id":5405,"date":"2015-02-08T08:09:16","date_gmt":"2015-02-08T08:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/indialegalonline.com\/?p=5405"},"modified":"2017-10-16T12:27:36","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T06:57:36","slug":"face-real-islam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indialegallive.com\/viewpoint\/religion-news\/face-real-islam\/","title":{"rendered":"The face of real Islam"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Zoya Rasul\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Prophet avenged!\u201d\u2014these were the words which the two killers reportedly screamed as they stormed out of the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris after mercilessly killing 11 people. With these words, the world\u2019s attention once again turned to radical Islam. Once again, the debate on whether Islam is an intolerant and violent religion was ignited.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Such calls and acts raise serious questions: Does revenge and killing define the duty of Muslims? Is this permissible under the tenets of Islam? The answer is simple: No.<\/span><\/p>\n In one of the revelations to the Prophet, it was taught that everything should be based on principles of right and wrong, and not on favoritism towards the people of your own religion and injustice against others. It says: \u201cHelp one another in works of righteousness and goodness, and help not one another in sin and aggression.\u201d (5:2) This clearly instructs Muslims to join their fellow Muslims in doing good and just acts, but not in committing transgression and injustice out of misguided support for one\u2019s co-religionists.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Down the ages, prophets have been mocked at and abused by their contemporaries. Some of the epithets cited in the Quran for them include \u201ca liar\u201d (40:24), \u201cpossessed\u201d (15:6), \u201ca fabricator\u201d (16:10), \u201ca foolish man\u201d (7:66). However, nowhere does the holy book prescribe violent punishment for the same. The matter demands peaceful admonishment\u2014sound arguments which clarify the allegations. Violence to such provocations puts Islam and its teachings under a question mark \u2014a condition never preferred by a true believer.<\/span>
\nThere have been many instances in the past when blasphemy against Islam or Prophet Mohammad has led to blood-spilling on the streets. In 2012, a 14-minute trailer of a film, Innocence of Muslims, sparked bloody pro-tests worldwide, killing over 50. Promptly, an al-Qaeda militant, Ahmed Ashoush of Egypt, issued a fatwa against anyone who was a part of the film. \u201cThe blood of the participants should be shed, including the producer, the director, and the actors\u2026their killing is a duty of every capable Muslim,\u201d he said on an Islamist militant website.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA look at the Prophet\u2019s life further establishes how Islam and its teachings do not ad-vocate the path of violence or revenge. As Mohammad attained prophethood, the course of his life, which was dedicated to spreading the message of Allah, was inflicted with sufferings. But he never resorted to violence. In one of the instances quoted in the Hadith (record of the sayings of Mohammad), the Prophet went to some powerful people of Ta\u2019if (a city in Mecca in Saudi Arabia) to spread the word of God and asked for their submission to Allah. <\/span>
\nThey rejected it vehemently and started mocking him. Street boys stoned him so much so that his shoes were filled with dripping blo-od. But he did not retaliate. Instead, he prayed for them. For him, their actions spoke of ignorance. For him, the need was to enlighten them about the teachings of Islam and not to hit back. For any Muslim, the Prophet\u2019s life is the only example to go by and it undoubtedly, advocates peace.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe treaty of Huddaibiya, a crucial incident in the history of Islam, further advocates the practice of benevolence and endurance for a true follower. Because of the hostilities from the Quraish (the most powerful tribe of Mecca during the time of the Prophet), the Prophet and his companions had to leave Mecca and move to Madina. With time, Islam gained power and acceptance but, for Quraish, they were still enemies. A year before Mecca was won over, the Prophet and his companions were stopped from entering the place. To proceed further on the pilgrimage, they were asked to sign a treaty, whose terms were clearly unjust. But, for the sake of peace, the Prophet agreed. <\/span><\/p>\n