This is not Islam
By Abdulfatah Oladeinde
Friday February 24, 2006

Assalaamu`Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu
A fortnight ago on this page I drew attention to reactions across the world on the blasphemous drawings on the Prophet (peace be upon him) in some European newspapers and cautioned against violent responses to the provocative cartoons.

Instead, I urged enlightened Muslims to seize the opportunity to educate other Muslims and non-Muslims on the life of that wonderful human being, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

My view was premised on the fear that a section of the Nigerian Muslim community might carry their disapproval of this matter to an absurd level. Such had been experienced several times in the past and there was therefore a need for caution.

Sadly, our security agents failed woefully to deploy necessary intelligence and nip in the bud possible resort to destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens over this matter. And so, last weekend in Maiduguri and Bauchi, protests over images published in Europe to belittle Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) degenerated into unnecessary, senseless killings and burning of churches.

It’s quite unfortunate that many victims of the killings in the North and the reprisal attacks in Onitsha in the East might not have had any knowledge about controversial cartoons to warrant their being punished for a "sin" they never committed.
Many may be wondering why so much hullabaloo about cartoons. Don’t these Muslims have a sense of humour?

The answer to this enquiry is that religion is a very sensitive matter, not one to joke about. In Islam it is forbidden to make a pictorial depiction of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), even in a positive sense. The objection is on the ground that such act could lead to idolatry. The Islamic position is so strong that movies, which tell the story about the life and times of the prophet were shot without physical representation of the prophet.

It should be understood, therefore, that cartoons which portray a man assumed to be the prophet as a bearded terrorist wearing a bomb-shaped turban with a lighted fuse and showed him as a knife-wielding nomad, flanked by shrouded women and another which placed him at the gates of Jannah (paradise), shouting to suicide bombers "stop, stop we have run out of virgins!" will inflame tempers.

Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten which first published the cartoons and others, including French daily France-Soir, Germany’s Die Welt and Norwegian Evangelical Christian newspaper which reprinted the offensive publication meant to provoke Muslims and the consequences of their insensitivity are lessons to all: that we must respect the religious sentiments of others.

Particularly for us in this part of the world, where the cartoons episode has inflicted the greatest damage, there is more to learn.

I have been asked several questions in the aftermath of this cartoon violence, notably "why do your brothers murder innocent people at the slightest provocation?"

The answer is that in normal situations, Muslims are required to conduct themselves in a dignified and honourable manner. Their sound character should etch in the hearts of non-Muslims that Islam is a religion of total submission to the orders of Allah, Subhaanahu wa taala, which dictate that there should be peace on earth. Islam is against anything that impedes peace.

Even in a war a situation, that is, war declared by competent and reliable Ulama, with valid Sharee reasons, Muslims are prohibited to target and kill women, children and old people. They are forbidden to destroy churches and synagogues.

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) himself was recorded in history to have issued the instruction to the Muslim Army before they set out on an expedition thus: "Do not deceive, do not disfigure, do not kill children and those in churches." (L’elaa-us-Sunan vol. 12 page 31; Idaratul Qur’aan).
In the light of the above it should be clear that it is unIslamic to hide under the cloak of religion to kill innocent people and destroy their property.

If Muslims perceive any injustices to them, they should avail themselves of proper channel to seek redress. It is absolutely against the spirit of Islam to take independent and absurd decisions and actions. Not only will such actions put the course of Islam at peril, they will also put the lives and property of other innocent Muslims in jeopardy.

The other thing to learn from this episode for us, Muslims, will be in the following posers: Would our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) not be happier if we channel our protestations over the blasphemous cartoons into more useful defence and observance of laws Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave to us? How many of us obey laws and acts of Islam truthfully these days?

What is the essence of killing and destroying in protest against cartoons, when we ourselves, disobey the Prophet himself on a daily basis? Where is our love for Muhammad (peace be upon him) when our leaders are divided every year even over sighting of moon for a crucial aspect of our religion, Ramadan fast?

How much have our leaders done to dissuade Muslims from consuming ribaa (interest) and other acts forbidden by our prophet.
How much have our leaders striven to redress the growing unIslamic social system, which has turned millions of Muslim children into Al-majris, Yandabas and Area boys?

What has happened to education of the Muslim child? What is the situation of the Muslim family? How much of the institution of Zakat been harnessed for the benefit of Muslim masses? How much of the leadership of our leaders has been felt in the lives of the ordinary Muslims.

Brothers and sisters, on this cartoon issue, we have made the point enough. It is high time we settled down to address much more serious matters, which, if confronted successfully, will earn us greater honour in the sight of Allah and make us worthy followers of our great Nabiyy sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.