Of late, the Muslim world has been thrown into an outrage due a film prepared by an anti-Islam element in the United States of America insulting the Pride of mankind, Muhammad the Messenger of Allah Almighty (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It is all done in the name of freedom of speech. However, hurting the sentiments of others by abusing and insulting is immoral and cannot be called freedom of speech. Therefore, such immoral acts must be condemned by all decent people and lovers of peace and brotherhood. Every Muslim, wherever he or she may be, is fully justified in his anger over such a crude and insulting film.
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (peace be upon him) says, “Remember, such individuals are not the well-wishers of their nation as they create impediments in their path. I say most truthfully that it is possible for us to reconcile with wild snakes and wilderness beasts but we cannot reconcile with such people who do not desist from insulting the honour of God’s holy Prophets. They believe that there is triumph in abusive language and vulgarity but each triumph comes from the Heavens”.
Responding to the film, the Supreme and Spiritual Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (ATBA) has said in his Friday Sermon on 21st September 2012 at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, “… While a law of freedom of speech exists, but neither in any country nor in the UN Charter do we find a law which states that no person will be allowed the freedom to hurt the religious sentiments of others or insult the holy personages of other religions. This is not written in law anywhere and it is because of this that the peace of the world is being destroyed. This causes the lava of hatred to erupt and the gulf between countries and religions to increasingly widen.”
Such irresponsible people should be brought to task in the countries in which they are. Their actions could lead to disastrous consequences for those countries. “It is necessary for world peace that this is made a part of UN peace charter that no member country will allow any of its citizens to play with the religious sentiments of others and that world peace will not be allowed to be destroyed in the name of freedom of speech…..,” said the Supreme and Spiritual Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (pubh) who has become the target of the insults of these irresponsible people is indeed a perfect example for all and sundry. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has taught that the religious sentiments of others must be respected at all times. Islam teaches the highest standards of morality stating unequivocally that every true Muslim must respect the honourable ones of other nations. This teaching was practiced by the Holy Prophet Muhammad the Messenger of Allah Almighty (pubh). Once a Jew reported to him that a Muslim had hurt his sentiments by expressing the superiority of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) over Prophet Musa (as). Addressing the Muslims in general, the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) said that no one should express his superiority over Prophet Musa (as) and any other holy personage in such a way that his follower’s sentiments would be hurt. He would stand to pay his last respects to deceased non-Muslims when a funeral procession passed. Once someone told him that the deceased was not a Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) humbly responded, “Is he not a human being?” Such was his respect for humanity. It is therefore the height of crudeness and vulgarity to make abusive films of such an exemplary man.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) is nearer to Allah the Almighty than any human being can conceive. He is perfect. He possesses the highest moral qualities (Qur’an Ch. 68: Verse 5). He is the mercy for the creation (Qur’an Ch. 21: Verse 108) and had it not been for him the world would not have been created (Hadith). His exemplary character, kindness, love, forbearance, fortitude, humility, etc. are manifested and demonstrated for humanity to emulate.
The Holy Qur’an teaches that even the lifeless objects being worshipped by other people should not be insulted because in reacting they may insult Allah Almighty. If this noble Islamic principle is adopted and followed by all nations, the world shall be a better place for all.
There is no doubt that Muslims are justified in their anger, but violent reactions, destruction of property and killings are not the solution. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, therefore, condemns such reactions also. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (pubh) never responded to the rudeness of the enemies with violence and destruction.
On occasions his enemies rudely spoke to him and his Companions would have reacted but he always stopped them. Victory ultimately became his. The same qualities of restraint and patience should be shown by the Muslims and victory will soon come to them.
A good example was the insult the Chief of the Hypocrites, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, made to the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (pubh) when he referred to the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) as a lowly person. Some people even demanded from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pubh) to let them kill him but he humbly answered in the negative.
Islam mean peace and does not condone any form of violence. It is a perfect code of life which if adopted, disorder and violence shall be history. It teaches loyalty, freedom, equality, respect, tolerance and peace and this was practically demonstrated by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pubh).
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at the Gambia strongly condemns this irresponsible film and calls on all decent people, governments, organizations, etc. to condemn this malicious, unfair and unjust act.
We are hereby calling on your Governments and organizations to condemn such irresponsible acts in order to promote mutual love, respect, brotherhood and peace among mankind, and the rule of law must be promulgated by individual Governments, the United Nations and organizations in order to prosecute the perpetrators of such heinous acts.
Please find enclosed copies of a leaflet entitled “Defending the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pubh)” for your information.
May Allah the Almighty continue protecting the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and all holy personages. May He give us the strength and means to always defend and practice justice, maintain peace and establish harmony in the world for the benefit of the entire humanity. Ameen.
Wassalam
