Muslims and the Charlie Hebdo cartoons

Almost five years after the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo, the process has begun in Paris to judge those who were involved in the attack. The French magazine Charlie Hebdo has decided to reprint the cartoons against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for this occasion as a tribute to remember the victims of the terrorist attack.

This decision, once again, has divided our societies: some support it because they consider it freedom of opinion, and others see it as a provocation and a blasphemous act.

Certainly, Islam does not contemplate any punishment for a blasphemous act. There is not a single verse of the Qur'an or a single event in the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in which he would have shown any violent reaction or punishment to anyone for his blasphemy. On the contrary, Islam condemns all forms of violence and terrorism in the name of religion. There is no permission or justification for a Muslim to respond violently to blasphemous acts. The Prophet Muhammad himself (peace be upon him) is the best example, for he showed the highest level of patience in response to provocations and similar insults.

However, while Islam teaches to show patience and ignore such provocations, on the other hand, it also teaches respect for the feelings of others. For example, idolatry is considered the greatest sin in Islam, but Islam does not allow Muslims to insult or insult the religious feelings of others.

Islam guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, but every freedom and right requires certain responsibilities. Islam teaches that there must be certain limits and rules associated with every expression of freedom. In the name of one's freedom, one cannot insult or attack others by ignoring their rights. It is a universal principle that everyone's freedom has certain limits and ends where the rights of others begin.

Islam fully supports the right to express one's opinion to question, intellectually and rationally, all religious doctrines and matters. What Islam does not approve of is attacking or insulting others by protecting us under the shield of freedom of opinion.

How would the Prophet of Islam have reacted?

The love and pride that every Muslim feels for his Prophet is immeasurable. This is one of the reasons why the renowned author Michael Hart (who is not a Muslim), in his book entitled: "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" gave Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the first position.

A Muslim definitely feels a great sadness when seeing these cartoons. However, love for the Prophet of Islam requires the Muslim to follow his noble example and teachings. In the face of any event like this, every Muslim should think about how the Holy Prophet would have reacted to these provocations against his own person.

Would he have killed or attacked these people? Certainly not. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A true Muslim is one from whose language and hands others are safe. (Sunan an-Nasa'i 4995)

Would you have organized violent demonstrations, destroying or damaging buildings, property, etc.? Certainly not. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade, even in times of war, to attack, destroy or wreck the properties, fields and belongings of the enemies. (Muwatta, Hadith 958)

On one occasion, during his trip to the city of Taif, he found that the people not only rejected his message, but attacked him so violently that he was seriously injured. As he left the city in this state, an angel appeared to him and asked him if he wanted the city to be destroyed by the violence against the Prophet. The Prophet answered that he did not wish its destruction, but hoped that through God's mercy, if not them, perhaps his children could find guidance to Islam. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3231).

Therefore, if the Prophet of Islam had been among us today, he would not have caused anyone any harm, either verbally or physically, in reaction to such events. Rather, he would have shown patience and sought refuge in God. He would have asked God to guide them and forgive them for their ignorance. I would have continued to preach with love and passion to those people. I would have responded to the hatred and insults with love and prayers. He would have responded to ignorance with wisdom and mercy because his person was a mercy to all mankind (Quran 21:108).

His Holiness, Mirza Masrur Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, explaining how Muslims should react to such provocations, said:

"If we respond with ignorance to the actions of the ignorant, the only result will be that they will persist in their actions. This is why God the Most High commands that "instead of responding to them, ignore them, and stay away from the people who commit such acts". We will be partakers of the same sin whether we relate to or agree with such people, or whether we provoke by our responses those who act wrongly, so that they end up mocking or insulting God Most High, or expressing degrading terms against the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)".

"He has already revealed to you in the Book that, when you hear the Signs of Allah being denied and mocked, you should not sit down with them until they start another conversation; for, if you did not, you would be like them. Verily, Allah will gather together in Hell the hypocrites and the disbelievers" (Qur'an 4:141).

"Therefore, the true Muslim must abstain and leave the matter in the hands of God Most High, Who has manifested that when the person returns to Him, he will be held accountable and suffer the consequences of his actions. Ultimately, we will all return to God Most High and then our actions will be revealed to us.

For more information about "Islam and freedom of expression", check this link: 
https://www.ahmadiyya-islam.org/es/articulos/paz-libertad-de-expresion-charlie-hebdo/