An Open Letter to the Muslim Protesters Against the negative film about the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)

Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Life & Society Topics: Prophet Muhammad (S) Views: 8965
8965

Al-hamdu lillahi Rabbil aalameen wa salaatu wa salaamu alaa Rasoolillah, amma ba'ad

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh, dear beloved Muslims throughout the world. I pray that this message reaches you with open minds, receptive hearts and that Allah guides you and us all to the best of this life and the hereafter. My first advice to you and to myself is to fear Allah and have taqwa, for surely taqwa is the best provision. [O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right. Quran 33:70

As Muslims, we all love the Prophet (SAWS)1 dearly and we hold him very close to our hearts. Loving the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) is a principle of our faith; as Prophet (SAWS) has said, "None of you (truly) believes, until I am more beloved to him that his son, his father and all other people". No Muslim wants that the Prophet (SAWS) is vilified, or disparaged, and it distresses us all that people would make fun of the Prophet (SAWS) and disparage his noble character. 

There will always be people who mock the Prophet (SAWS) and who speak ill of our great religion. You should not be surprised by this; [Mocked were (many) apostles before thee: but I granted respite to the unbelievers, and finally I punished them: Then how (terrible) was my punishment! Quran 13:32] Allah sub'haanahu wa ta'ala has decreed that people will be different. They will have different beliefs, different cultures, different political views, and different loves and hates. However, demonstrating in the streets in my view has done nothing to change the negative views in the western world, of our Prophet (SAWS), and of the religion that he has come with. On the contrary, it only embellishes the image that Muslims are a people with very little control of their anger, and a weak moral resolve. I advise you all to let Allah deal with those who scorn and mock the Prophet (SAWS); He is well Aware of what they say, and Capable of protecting the dignity of His Messenger (SAWS); [O Messenger. proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith. Quran 5:67]

Dear beloved Muslims of the world; we recognize that many of you have lived under terrible dictators and ruthless leaders in the past and still now in the present, some of you endure under tyranny, greed and corruption. We pray to Allah that He relieve you of the weight of oppression, the burden of poverty, and the melancholy of despair, and that He gives you leaders that will deal with you justly, and grants you the liberty whereas you can pursue what is good and lawful to you. As your brethren in faith, we remind you that our Lord, be He Exalted and Glorified, will not change the condition of a people until they change the conditions of themselves. [Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). Quran 13:11

The images that are streaming around the world of Muslims rampaging in the streets, and the reality that accompanies it; burning cars, burning flags, and destroying property, do a disservice to the true cause of Islam, and to the legacy, and dignity of our beloved Prophet (SAWS). Such actions undermine the purpose of life and death; which is to see who is better in deeds. [He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving; Quran 67:2]- The Prophet (SAWS) did not sanction such behavior which amounts to a waste of time and energy, and a shameful loss of life, property and honor. Some of your leaders have said that you must show the world your anger and your rage. I am saying to you that you must temper your anger and temper your rage, and direct your energy towards ridding your countries of corruption, Muslim on Muslim killing, and on working towards peace and justice using permissible means. If you follow the guidance of the Prophet in this matter, outsiders will not harm you; [O ye who believe! Guard your own souls: If ye follow (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray. the goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of all that ye do. Quran 5:105]

In the United States, and in other parts of the Western World, there are Muslims who believe in the Prophet of Allah (SAWS) and love him as you do, there are those who do not believe in the Prophet (SAWS) and there are many others who do not know him. Your calls for death to America include those who are believers, and who are people of the book [Jews and Christians] who live here, and others, who have done you no harm. People in the Western World will not change their negative views of Islam, Muslims, and the Prophet (SAWS) because of your shouting, your demonstrations in the streets, and your rampaging. They will not hear your voices; they will only see the shaking of your fists in the air, and the wanton violence and destruction of property, none of which represents the patience and forbearance of the Prophet of Allah, who you claim to defend. 

Dear beloveds, know that the hearts of mankind belong to Allah sub'haanahu wa ta'ala; He guides whom He please and He leads astray who He pleases. However, we advise that you vent your frustration, your pain, and your concern about the defense of the Prophet to Allah sub'haanahu wa ta'ala, who hears all supplications whether it is the loud thunderous voices in the streets or the almost silent hushed voices that cry out in the still of the night. The legacy and dignity of Rasoolillah lives through our actions and is carried on in following his way of tolerance for those who disparage him, and in bringing the light of faith and strong moral foundation to the world. The Prophet (SAWS) is under no threat from any human being; he is safe with Allah sub'haanahu wa ta'ala, and in the best company. Billions of Muslims send prayers upon him and send salutations to him, and his position with Allah is secure. There is nothing that anyone can say, write, or put on film that will ever change that. The rage, the anger and the violence that result from demonstrating in the streets, only threatens to extinguish the true light and guidance of the Prophet (SAWS) who was sent as a mercy to mankind. 

====
Notes:
1. SAWS (Shalallahu 'alayhi wassalam): Peace be upon you

*****

Imam Luqman Ahmad is American born Imam. He has been serving as the Imam and Executive Director of a Northern California Mosque, [Masjid Ibrahim Islamic Center] since 1996. He is a classically trained Imam who is a graduate of Omdurman Islamic University in the Sudan and has also studied at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca Saudi Arabia. He a member of NAIF [North American Imam's Federation], a founding member of COSVIO [Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations] and a prominent and active member of the Sacramento Muslim community. He can be reached at imamabulaithyahoo.com.


  Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Life & Society
  Topics: Prophet Muhammad (S)
Views: 8965

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Older Comments:
BADRIA FROM TANZANIA said:
a. aleykum.I think it's important as muslims to recognize psychological wars that will always be directed at us and not react in a way that only damages our reputation and properties. let's work on sending write messages about our religion and equip ourselves with the best of characters.
2012-10-30

AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
So it's clear now that Al Qaeda is doing the killing.

Imam, you want to write another open letter to the world that Muslims are not killer?

Do it before the injustice and ugly perception is upon Muslims..

Thanks

Ahmad
2012-09-26

RAKIA SALAM FROM USA said:
Such a wonderful article.Lack of knowleddge or ignorance cause so much trouble in this world. We need people like you more.
Alhumdulillah. May allah award you.
2012-09-25

HUSSAINI ALIYU FROM NIGERIA said:
May Allah Guide us unto the straight path and give us the strength to forbear this mockery and the strength to fight back when it warrants. Ameen
2012-09-25

ABUBAKAR BALA FROM NIGERIA said:
As-salamu alaikum, well I wana thank the person that wrote this article and we all belive in the oneness of Allah and there is none unto him..
My opinion is that Allah almight will punish those who are behind all this film and those who are against islam..To me i gave my life to him alone(Allah) and lets love islam and respect it fearfully, who ever did that film will regret it one day..bye 4 now
2012-09-24

AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
@ Rashad,

I feel good to read your comments.

If we have enough young people thinking like you are now, we will be better off and
Islam will once again be leading in all front.

Get back to work man.

Ahmad.
2012-09-24

UNKNOWN FROM CANADA said:
alsalam 3lykum wa ra7mat allah wa barkto,

I Agree with this article 100% and i do wish our brothers and
sisters in Islam could deliver their message in a different perspective and in a different view because Islam is about peace not violence and destruction, and what their doing around the world by
burning down stores and cars gives Islam a different view from the
western world. It makes me sad to see that Muslims deal with issues
in a very distrusting way when it should be the opposite. May god
help us.

2012-09-24

KHAN FROM USA said:
Allah and Prophet orders us to love them more than anything in this world including our
families (Parents and Children). This is in Quran and Ahadith.

We cannot be silent observers if someone harms (Verbal, Physical, Graphic) our families and
then how can a muslim tolerate blasphemy against our God/Allah swt and our beloved
Prophet Muhammad.

If Westerners think it is freedom of Speech and Press (media), why they don't make similar
images and movies of their family members (Mothers, fathers and sisters).
2012-09-24

RASHAD ABDUL-AZEEM FROM USA said:
@Ahmad, our goals should not be to stop people from speaking or even making such trashy movies because it's not going to happen, the goal should be to marginalize and isolate such people and movies, through education and peaceful protest. You could not get any network to show a movie from the Klu Klux Klan, because they have been effectively marginalized from mainstream society, they are outcasts. Hate speech in whatever form is not going away.

The Internet is another matter; you can find KKK stuff on there, but such material is only going attract people of like minds. We must isolate the voices of intolerance and bigotry and the best way is through the pen and not the sword.

The best way our grandchildren will see Islam is through our own behavior and not what we say. When they see Muslims blowing each other up in masjid because one is Shia and the other Sunni, will they feel proud? When they see young girls and teachers being slaughtered simply because they want to exercise their right to be educated, will our grandchildren feel proud?

When they see Muslims killing Christians and burning down their places of worship, will our grandchildren feel proud? When they see Muslims enter a train station or a restaurant where people are going about their daily lives and blow them up from a suicide bomb will they applaud and feel proud, our grandchildren?

Forget about what the US is doing, what are we doing? , where is our personal accountability for our own actions. It's hard for me to imagine Muslims going to pray in the Masjid and the next moment their blood, bones, brains and skin are all over the masjid,. I just can't get my arms around that, a devil who thinks he/she is going to paradise for such demonic behavior. We have an excuse for everything except our own unislamic behavior. I say we have a lot a work ahead of us, so our grandchildren and others can live in a world of tolerance and peace.
2012-09-24

RASHAD ABDUL-AZEEM FROM USA said:
Also, let's not forget that according to reports that it was an Egyptian scholar who released the YouTube video in Egypt. Why would he take such an action? , to inflame and incite? The best course would have been to ignore and not promote the video and expose other Muslims to such trash. In fact he bears some responsibility.
2012-09-23

RASHAD ABDUL-AZEEM FROM USA said:
Very informative and decisive article. If we love the prophet (SAWS) as much as we say we do then we should follow him. I'm at a lost to understand how we can love the prophet (SAWS) so much where we work ourselves up into a killing frenzy but yet at the same time ignore the high and dignified example he set for Muslims in particular and humanity in general. We must go back and study his life and to the best of our ability emulate his life.
2012-09-23

AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
To Aisha

OK, Maybe we can ignore it because we are equipped with great understanding of our
beautiful Prophet s.a.w

But thing about your grand children. If these criminal acts of spreading lies and
insulting films and cartoon, you grand children would not know if those information
depicted in the films and cartoons are true or not. Remember perception is reality. And
if enough information flooded in the internet and media, how can we control what our
grand children perceive our Prophet?

We have to stop this unfair, unjust, criminal act of abusing Free Speech.

Everything has boundary and limit. so is free speech.

Insulting and spreading lies is not the same as free speech.
Read the news, Paris Hilton talking about gay and recorded by a Taxi driver. That private
conversation was igniting protests and they accused her of spreading hate crime and
making derogatory remark. Is she exercising free speech or something else.

Why double standard?

Only fairness can save the world.

Ahmad


2012-09-23

AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
To KC James.

You are right to say that those riots should not kill the ambassador of the USA. But who
can control millions of people when they are angry.

The logical argument I made is that we should stop people from mocking other highly
honoured figures who loved by the followers, especially when the statements or film are
insulting in nature and promote hate-crime.

Free speech has limits, so as with other things. And double standard should be avoided
for this will also ignite anger.

My point is to make sure that the spreading of lies and derogatory remarks or cartoon or
films is ended and rejected. We don't like criminal acts, do we. Those hateful and
insulting expressions (via films and cartoon) are basically criminal acts. They are unjust
and ugly.

Forgive my fellow Muslims, especially in the middle east for their uncontrollable anger.
Remember, their countries have been destroyed, their future and life have been
tarnished, their families have been killed by bombs and tomahawk, drone, etc, and by all
those political upheaval supported by western weaponry and military actions. They are
channeling their anger with whatever they have and whatever they can do.

I agree we all should behave responsibly and exercise some degree of controls.

However, the world is always in the state of balance. Tit-for-tat. You like it or not.

Ahmad



2012-09-23

NAEEM MALIK FROM PAKISTAN said:
I totally agree with your opinion. Muslim should act on the teaching
of their beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). We all should send prayers
upon him and send salutations to him always. Be a true believer. No
body and nothing can harm our Prophet (SAWS) & Islam.
2012-09-23

BABANDI A. GUMEL FROM U.K said:
Every action is followed by RE-ACTION.Therefore it is natural for the ignorant enemies to mock at the prophet who is beloved to the Creator the Angels and all the believers. Unfgortunately It is Shaitan who instills in the minds of these ignorants fools to concoct such lies which provokes natural anger from the believers. We should show to them that freedom has its limit you don't enjoy unlimited freedom as you are bound to die.You can mock at the Prophet today as much as you wish insulting him or degrading him because you own the media in the name of freedom which is very unfortunate.Mind you whether you like it or not his honour would continue to increase as he is the most beloved person to all those who love him.He is the best example humanity ever produced as cited even by the American who wrote the 100 most influential persons ever produced present and past. All we can pray may Allah give them guidance if they are racists the majority of the humanity hate racism being practiced by minority such as those who produced this film and the cartoonists or any other racists who is hiding behind racism insulting others such as the Prophet of Islam.They know that we cannot insult Prophets such as Moses Jesus Abraham or any other beloved Prophet of Allah as Allah and His Prophet have forbidden us from doing such thing.We still have the likes of Abu Jahl who are so ignorant as these unfortunate (should we call them racists)anyhow human beings who have no hidayah which is in the hands of Allah.We pray He gives them as He gave Sayyidina Umar who came with naked sword with the intention to kill the Prophet but in the end Allah gave him hidayah.So we pray Allah give them hidayah if they are fit for that guidance otherwise we live them with the Knower of the Seen and Unseen who sees everything and He would call them to account for their own misdeeds.So my dear brothers and sisters we should not be provoked by provocation of racists with the aim to insult Islam and the Muslims.
2012-09-22

KC JAMES FROM USA said:
To Ahmad: Most people in the US did not even know that movie existed. It was made by a no-brain Criminal. Does that permit all the violence, destruction and killing of people that never heard of that movie? I do not think so! Why was the anger not directed to man that made the movie, but to people that did not even know the movie existed. I only saw violence, no thought, no logic, no sense!
2012-09-22

ABDUL G ALLAHRAKHA FROM USA said:
The non-muslim do these insults with a purpose to make the umma
irritate and in return do foolish thing to themselves and their our
country and countrymans. Remember when you show your irritation the
more they will publish wrong things about islam and the prohphet
s.a.w.

Do not let them get to you ignore them and better yet have group
extra prayers and mehfil of daruds every time they publish some
thing againist islam or the beloved prophet s.a.w. The day is not
too far they they will get tired of your reaction of more prayers
and daruds.

Only allah can guide those whomsoever he wishes.

May Allah guide us all to the right path.
2012-09-22

HILAL SHAH FROM USA said:
Imam Luqman Ahmad, Assala-mu-alaikum:

It is a very timely letter requesting to all of those airheaded Muslims around the world who claim to love the Prophet, but have nothing in action to show for it. They are shame to Islam and to the beloved Prophet of Allah Almighty. As much as disrespect and disgrace we Muslims have brought to the name of Prophets of Allah, Jews and Chiristians do not even come close.
2012-09-21

HURI FROM USA said:
Bismillah. Assalamu Alekum. Insha'Allah we keep our faith forefront in our minds and actions. There is tremendous lack of understanding in the difference in knowledge of Islam between usa citizens and citizens of the middle east. From a usa perspective, as living in a society where freedom of speech is an assumption and law, it is very difficult for those who have not been raised with that partiular freedom to understand the majority of usa citizens do not agree with the ignorant who disparage beautiful Islam and our Prohpet SAWS. Please brothers and sisters see this as an opportunity to EDUCATE those who do not know.

Quran 16:125
Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.

Subhan'Allah. Alhumdulillah. Allahu Akbar.
2012-09-21

AISHA FROM USA said:
Thank you for your open letter.

I would just like to say to commenter "Ahmad" that this film was made a year ago and
was ignored. With all these protests, more and more people are watching it. Why give so
much attention to garbage? We should ignore garbage; and we certainly should not
watch it or give attention and publicity to it through protesting.

We have free speech laws in the United States; the government cannot ban it. You don't
see American Muslims out in the streets protesting. It is much better to ignore this
nonsense. Don't you see that the film maker is using the Muslims to incite violence and
thus try to show Muslims "true colors." As Muslims, we are suppose to repel evil with
kindness.
2012-09-21

AHMAD FROM CANADA said:
Imam Luqman Ahmad,

It is very easy to write an open letter like this. But do you know what you are doing?
I am always against violent as solutions, such as killing, especially using weapon, drone,
technology, etc. Killing is evil.

But think about it: If you don't do anything to stop those irresponsible, dangerous and
lying film or cartoon, then in 10 or 30 years from now, our children and grand children
will be flooded with those rubbish. It will be very difficult to make them love our prophet
the way we love him because what they see and perceive will be all those films and
pictures that by then will be all over the places. You will be dead by then, and those
things so happened because you are so forgiving and doing nothing to stop those
senseless film and cartoon.

So, do amar ma'ruf anil nahi anil munkar too.
Do anything in your capacity to tell the Western government to stop those irresponsible
film and cartoon. Will you dare to do it????

Ahmad.
2012-09-21

MARIA ABDALLAH FROM SWEDEN said:
Salaam!
I'm actually agree whit u
We mustn't fight with people who don't know about ours prophet ( saws)
2012-09-21

LYNN PRIDDY FROM USA said:
My dear muslim friends/family.. I sympathize dearly for the insulting film "innocense of muslims" I have personally view the disturbing video and wept for the sake of the holy Prophet(SAW) as well as all muslims who are here in the United States and around the world..I wish for peace for everyones hearts and pray for everyone to find a way to forgive the unbelievers for what they have done..they are blind and do not know of any better.. I come from a devout Christian family and I have been practicing Islam for 14 years now..trust me when I say I undergo alot of insult a nd bad morality from my family. but I refuse to allow for them to stop me of my faith and honor for islam. I trust in ALLAH to bring peace to you all and forgiveness so that the prophet can rest in peace and his legacy can continue to carry on..BISMILLAH!!!
2012-09-21