AHMADI LADY RESPONDS TO 'THE INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS'

Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (back, left of centre) & Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (centre)

We're delighted to present Sister Raindrop's latest article in her regular series in which she comments on Islam-related current affairs. This time, she tackles the recently released, notoriously Islamaphobic film, 'The Innocence of Muslims'. 

I’m sure everyone knows well about the movie that has wreaked havoc and caused intense uproar in numerous parts of the world, especially in the middle-east. Of course, I am referring to 'The Innocence of Muslims', a film which is described as being full of insults to The Holy Prophet s.a.w, Islam and Muslims. Let me be up front and admit I haven't watched it- reading the description was enough and I have no intention of watching a film which insults the character of our master, the Seal of the Prophets.  

I’m certain that I’m not alone in my sentiments. I fail to comprehend how any sane person (provided he/she has himself studied the life of the Holy Prophet s.a.w. from fair sources) could so audaciously abuse him in such a way.  This hateful act of inconsideration and clear lack of empathy, stemming from an intense case of Islamophobia, was clearly and very deliberately designed to provoke the very reaction that we are seeing on the streets of so many Muslim countries today. 

Sadly, some Muslims see it as their “God-Given duty” to endorse and fully participate in the very behaviour that the Holy Prophet s.a.w condemned. Whilst the majority of the Muslim world have- quite rightly- condemned this film peacefully, a minority have once again tarnished the image of Islam.  What makes things even worse is that the uproar due to the movie resulted to the killings in Libya of four Americans, one of them the US Ambassador. That too on the 11^th of September. A day already marked with broken hearts and tragedy, now bears the weight of even more innocent lives lost. 

Of course, I am not at all saying that we shouldn’t take a stand against this film. I only say that we must do so through peaceful methods, methods that our religion of peace teaches us. After all, the medium is the message. 

Those claiming to be true followers of Islam should be taking action to introduce people to the true just and forgiving nature of the beloved Prophet (pbuh).  Violence, murder, and acts of hatred NEVER have, nor ever will, solve the problem. In fact, there are numerous examples in the life of the Holy Prophet s.a.w. where he had been extremely ridiculed and insulted- to a far greater and more hurtful extent than any movie today could possibly achieve- yet he did not retort with hate. To recount just one incident, I would like to present an extract from a book which was written by the brother of the second Khalifa:

In Shawwāl of 10 Nabawī, the Holy Prophet s.a.w. took a journey to Ṭā’if by himself. On the authority of other narrations, Zaid bin Ḥārithah r.a. also accompanied him. Upon his arrival, the Holy Prophet s.a.w. remained there for ten days, and one after another he met with many chieftains, but like Makkah, it was not in the destiny of this city to accept Islām either. Therefore, all of them refused, as a matter of fact they mocked at the Holy Prophet.  

At last, the Holy Prophet approached the grand chieftain of Ṭā’if named ‘Abdu Yālail and invited him to Islām, but he also refused, rather, in a manner of mockery he said, “If you are truthful, then I have not the strength to speak to you, and if you are a liar, then to speak to you is useless.” Then, concerned that the youngters of the city may become influenced by the Holy Prophet s.a.w, he said, “It is best that you leave this place, for there is nobody here who is willing to listen to you.”  

After that, this evil man had the miscreants of the city start off behind the Holy Prophet s.a.w. When he left the city, this rabble chased the Holy Prophet s.a.w and began to bombard him with rocks, due to which the entire body of the Holy Prophet s.a.w became drenched in blood. These people pursued the Holy Prophet s.a.w for three miles, more or less, and cursed at him and threw stones at him continuously. 

...It is mentioned in Ḥadīth that on one occasion, it was inquired of the Holy Prophet s.a.w by Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah r.a, “Were you ever confronted by a day more difficult than the Battle of Uḥud?” The Holy Prophetsa responded, “O ‘Ā’ishah, your people have compelled me to confront times of severe adversity.” Then the Holy Prophet s.a.w. described the details of his journey to Ṭā’if and said, 'During my return from this journey, the Angel of the mountains came to me and said, “God has sent me to you, that if you so command, I may bring the two mountains of this valley together upon these people, and destroy them.” But the Holy Prophet s.a.w. said, “Nay! Nay! I trust that Allāh the Exalted shall give birth to such people from among them who shall worship the one true God.” (Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad, The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets- the original passage has a longer and fuller account and is fully referenced from ahadith, but for the sake of brevity we have left these references out.)

As we can see, The Holy Prophet s.a.w. kept his faith in Allah and His promises, praying for his people to be guided. Why don’t these perpetuators of violence channel their emotions in positive ways, and refrain from the imprudent behaviour which Islam came to put an end to in the first place? 

Seeing the sad state of the Muslim world, with its disorganized and spiritually troubled society, clearly signals the need for belief in the Promised Messiah (as) and Khilafat, since it is through Ahmadiyyat that believers can once again be truly united and guided to the true teachings of Islam. I end with a prayer that may Allah grant all of us the wisdom and opportunity to perpetuate the true peaceful teachings brought by Islam, and that those who commit violence so wrongfully in the name of it come to see their error. Amen!