by Ayesha Noor
Follow Ayesha on Twitter @FriendlyMuslim
Al Qaida has committed yet another atrocity today – against Islam and against humanity. In their twisted minds they have avenged Prophet Muhammad by killing 12 civilians in Paris. In actuality, they are the ones who have failed Prophet Muhammad on multiple levels. The Quran prescribed two fundamental duties for every Muslim i.e. service to God and service to humanity. Throughout his life Prophet Muhammad championed these two services and reached them to their pinnacle.
Firstly, Prophet Muhammad championed serving God. This meant intense prayer. It was his intense prayers that entitled him to be the last law-bearing Prophet. On several occasions, to distract him from remembering his Lord, his enemies would dump camel entrails on his back while he prayed. But no worldly power could distract him from remembering God. Through his example, Prophet Muhammad introduced a society devoid of morality to the God whom they now loved. Through Muhammad’s example, those Arabs who used to kill their daughters in infancy ended up raising them with love, care, and respect. Through Muhammad, the worst enemies became brothers, and murderers turned into guardians.
Today’s mayhem in Paris reminds me of Muhammad’s journey to Taif to convey the message of Islam. People did not only mock at him but also physically abused him. They threw stones at Prophet Muhammad so much so that blood started flowing his through his legs. Even after facing such perverted and inhumane behavior, Muhammad acted with compassion. According to a tradition, when an angel informed Muhamad of the impending destruction of the people of Taif, Prophet Muhammad prayed fervently seeking pardon for them. For he could not bear seeing their generations face destruction. Therefore, when the Danish cartoon controversy broke, the Khalifa of Islam Mirza Masroor Ahmad acted in the same manner as Muhammad, he said, “we should pray more than before, we should try and purify ourselves more than before, we should invoke blessings on the Prophet more than before.’ Alas, Al Qaida terrorists missed all chances of reformation.
The second obligation Islam imposes on Muslims is service to humanity. The Qur’an declares, “O people of Islam, “You are the best people ever raised for the good of mankind because you have been raised to serve others.” The condition of being chosen ones is “to serve others,” not to kill others. The Quran calls Prophet Muhammad, “the mercy for the universe,” which includes his enemies as well. How then can killing in his name be justified? Due to his merciful nature, Muhammad forgave the assassins of his loved ones. Due to his compassionate, Muhammad let go the woman who committed the heinous crime of mutilating his uncle’s body. Muhammad forgave those who called him names, mocked at him and his companions, and severely persecuted them for decades. None of above mentioned compassionate acts emulates Al-Qaida’s acts of violence.
Prophet Muhammad did not show such cruelty even in active war zone. While, till to this date, the world literally follows “all’s fair in love and war,” Prophet Muhammad set strict rules of war. On humanitarian grounds, he said, “you must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy’s flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.” So, if it was up to Prophet Muhammad, the 12 deceased would not have been killed even if a France and a Muslim country were face to face in a war, because they were civilians. What an irony, Al Qaida is killing human being in the name of Prophet Muhammad, whose kind heartedness even shielded enemy’s trees and animal.
I can’t help but keep getting convinced that Al-Qaida and all such organizations are deliberately working against prophet Muhammed. By wrongly portraying Prophet Muhammad in a violent manner, these so-called Islamic organizations are providing more fuel to those who are out to slander Prophet Muhammad. Unfortunately, for any satirical cartoonist or writer, today’s act of violence is another assignment to slander Islam and Prophet Muhammad in a vicious manner.
While trying to protect Prophet Muhammad’s honor, the Al-Qaida fanatics have actually attempted to destroy it. For honor is not protected with carnage, but with honorable works and deeds.
Follow Ayesha on Twitter @FriendlyMuslim
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