Knowledge Every Muslim Should Know (Book One)

When The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Is Insulted

It is not permissible to transgress the rights of those who are innocent (or under treaty):

(وَلا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى)

“No person’s sin can burden another.”

[al-Israa 17:15]

And,

(وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِنْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ)

“And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Qur'an), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.” [at-Tawbah 9:6]

Message carriers from Mushrik and Kuffaar rulers used to come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as ambassadors for their respective countries. They would enter al-Madeenah and at times would even enter the Masjid of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and convey the message they had been ordered to carry. Despite the fact that these ambassadors where Mushriks or Kuffaar, they entered with peace and security.

With this, we must all realise that al-Islaam is not a religion of anger and retribution. Rather, it is a religion of spreading guidance, mercy and kindness.

These were the characteristics and practices of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and what did having this approach result in? It resulted in the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) being supported by Allaah, given honour and the correct representation of al-Islaam spreading.

As for those who mocked him (during the Makkan period), they became from those who were foremost in practicing al-Islaam and spreading it (such as Aboo Sufyaan and the son of Abu Jahl, ‘Ikrimah).

They submitted in al-Islaam and they personified a good display of al-Islaam.

This is all because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was patient with them, was kind and gentle with their insults until the Prophet even became more beloved to them more than themselves.

This is how Allaah (the Glorified and the Exalted) said about him:

(وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ)

“And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are on an exalted standard of character.”

[al-Qalam 68:4]

This was the noble character of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) .

The Kuffaar came to realise this. They only insult the Prophet expecting a reaction from the Muslims so that they can attach something negative against al-Islaam.

Responding to these incidents with violence leads them to point the finger and attach stereotypes to the Muslims; killing diplomats and destroying the houses and wealth of others – this is what the religion of al-Islaam teaches.

This is exactly what the Kuffaar want, so that they can blame the Muslims and stereotype them based on the actions of a few of the ignoramuses from them, stereotyping all Muslims based on the actions of the ignorant and the worst of those from them.

Therefore, it is not permissible to be hasty. When facing such tribulations, rather the command is to be patient.

(وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا عَلَى مَا كُذِّبُوا وَأُوذُوا حَتَّى أَتَاهُمْ نَصْرُنَا وَلا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكَ مِنْ نَبَإِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ)

“Verily, (many) Messengers were denied before you (O Muhammad ), but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt, till Our Help reached them, and none can alter the Words (Decisions) of Allah. Surely there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you).” [al-An’aam 6:34]

This is the guidance that the religion of al-Islaam has come with and the correct response given to those who mock and insult; be kind, practice patience and not to be hasty in seeking retribution.

The Mushriks want for us to fall into the trap they have laid in front of us, taking the example of the actions of some of the ignorant ones – arrogance, violence and killing. To the extent that such notions become widespread and influence the regular Muslim, so that they protest against the actions of one another Muslims, leading to Muslims killing on another. This is precisely what they want.

Adapted from: http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa