By Meshary Alruwaih (Kuwait Times)
We all remember those disgusting cartoons about Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) that appeared on the Danish newspaper more than a year ago, and sure we remember the more recent ones that appeared on Swedish newspaper about a month ago -- as if Scandinavians have nothing better to do than offend Muslims. Too bad though since Scandinavians are known for their politeness and respect for law and order. But just like many other Westerners, they have an unrestrained style of freedom of speech and so they wrongly believe that humiliating others' religions and cultures is a given right to them by the secular system they endorse. Those unfortunate events came to my mind when I was reading the following verse from the Quran (Chapter 6: 108) "Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do". In a more accessible way, the first part of this verse instructs Muslims not to talk ill of others' religions so they do not respond aggressively towards our god (Allah). This is a lesson to Muslims that they should not talk harshly or offend Christians, Jews, or even Buddhists, as this will generate a reaction of anger and retaliation. In this verse, the Quran instructs us to never start the trash talk between followers of different religions. In this verse, Allah warns us from falling into one of the traps of the freedom of speech that the West failed to avoid. It provides us with a model of respect for others' religions that has not parallel in the secular thoughts of freedom of speech. That said, it's important to mention that regrettably not enough Muslims follow this verse. They deal with others as they have omitted this verse from the Quran. You watch one day of a radical Islamic TV channel or visit a pro Al-Qaeda website and you think that Muslims never heard of this verse! Muslims have every right to criticize the behaviors and attitudes of Christians and Jews when they feel threatened or feel conspired against, but they must not attack the basics, principals, or the holiness of their religions. Despite the lack of practice among many Muslims of the principal in this verse, it's comforting to know that at least we have it as our reference as a guide that will sure find its way among many more Muslims. The trouble is to be found in the West where there is no such guide for respect for others' cultures and religions. I hope that this verse will not only find its way among Muslims, but also among Danes and Swedes!!
We all remember those disgusting cartoons about Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) that appeared on the Danish newspaper more than a year ago, and sure we remember the more recent ones that appeared on Swedish newspaper about a month ago -- as if Scandinavians have nothing better to do than offend Muslims. Too bad though since Scandinavians are known for their politeness and respect for law and order. But just like many other Westerners, they have an unrestrained style of freedom of speech and so they wrongly believe that humiliating others' religions and cultures is a given right to them by the secular system they endorse. Those unfortunate events came to my mind when I was reading the following verse from the Quran (Chapter 6: 108) "Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. Thus unto every nation have We made their deed seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, and He will tell them what they used to do". In a more accessible way, the first part of this verse instructs Muslims not to talk ill of others' religions so they do not respond aggressively towards our god (Allah). This is a lesson to Muslims that they should not talk harshly or offend Christians, Jews, or even Buddhists, as this will generate a reaction of anger and retaliation. In this verse, the Quran instructs us to never start the trash talk between followers of different religions. In this verse, Allah warns us from falling into one of the traps of the freedom of speech that the West failed to avoid. It provides us with a model of respect for others' religions that has not parallel in the secular thoughts of freedom of speech. That said, it's important to mention that regrettably not enough Muslims follow this verse. They deal with others as they have omitted this verse from the Quran. You watch one day of a radical Islamic TV channel or visit a pro Al-Qaeda website and you think that Muslims never heard of this verse! Muslims have every right to criticize the behaviors and attitudes of Christians and Jews when they feel threatened or feel conspired against, but they must not attack the basics, principals, or the holiness of their religions. Despite the lack of practice among many Muslims of the principal in this verse, it's comforting to know that at least we have it as our reference as a guide that will sure find its way among many more Muslims. The trouble is to be found in the West where there is no such guide for respect for others' cultures and religions. I hope that this verse will not only find its way among Muslims, but also among Danes and Swedes!!
(Published Date: October 01, 2007)
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