Abdul Hayi Moomen Writes: You cannot defend the prophet by betraying his example

The recent video of a man slapping a detained pastor who had made comments deemed offensive to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah) has sparked outrage among Muslims. However, such a response is fundamentally misguided and inconsistent with the teachings and example of the Prophet himself. Once an individual is under arrest, the appropriate course of action is to follow established laws, courts, and lawful processes to address any wrongdoing.

It is not within the purview of any private citizen to assume the role of complainant, prosecutor, judge, or executioner. Correcting perceived wrongs through further wrongdoing is unacceptable, and responding to disrespect with lawlessness is equally unjustified. Above all, Muslims must recognize that defending the honor of the Prophet does not entail behaving in a manner that contradicts his character and teachings.

The Prophet endured numerous insults and rejections during his mission but responded with patience, wisdom, restraint, mercy, and excellent character. The Qur'an provides clear guidance on engaging with those who disagree, urging Muslims to do so with wisdom, good instruction, and the best possible methods. Resorting to violence, slaps, or mob action is not only unbecoming but also fails to embody the principles of the faith.

The Qur'an explicitly states that good and evil are not equal and instructs believers to respond to evil with what is best, transforming hostility into friendship rather than escalating it. Islam's strength lies not in retaliatory violence but in moral superiority and restraint, demonstrating the beauty of the faith to others. Muslims must condemn extremism without hesitation and avoid the dangerous habit of justifying wrong actions by claiming they were provoked.

The Prophet's honor is not upheld by losing control of oneself; rather, it is reinforced by demonstrating the character he taught. The faith is not so easily tarnished, and its defenders should not stoop to the level of those they seek to criticize. This incident also raises broader concerns about the authority of the state and the rights of individuals in custody.

If citizens feel empowered to assault suspects in police stations, we risk descending into a dangerous cycle where anger replaces the rule of law. Today, it may be someone accused of insulting a religious figure; tomorrow, it could be someone insulting a chief or a politician. The consequences could be far-reaching, undermining both Ghana's legal system and the image of Islam.

Muslim scholars, Imams, youth leaders, and ordinary believers must stand firm against extremist behavior and condemn it unequivocally. Such condemnation is not an act of betrayal towards Islam but a vital measure to prevent its misrepresentation by those whose anger overshadows their understanding of the faith. Teaching young people that loving the Prophet involves emulating his character rather than merely reacting emotionally is crucial.

By embodying patience, mercy, discipline, truthfulness, and respect for human dignity, Muslims can effectively defend his honor without resorting to violence.