Faith Between Frivolity and Reality

Mourad Beni-ich

We often get challenged by series of events and incidents that test our faith, our beliefs, our values, our ethics. Events that push us to our limits. Sometimes, we overcome those events and act more wisely, and at times, we feel that we are purposely targeted, and viciously provoked so we can react in a manner, which will put our entire faith into questioning. Indeed, we are humans and we are vulnerable. We cannot predict or foresee our behavior once we are tested in what we hold dear: our faith.

Faith is defined as a “strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof”, or it can be a “complete trust or confidence in something or someone”. Therefore, in a way, faith is to surrender to a deep belief that one possesses, to entrust whatever entity or doctrine we foster without questioning its wisdom or sapience.

In the wake of the assassination of some journalists in Paris, who mocked through their satirical and cynical caricatures to the point of humiliating many religious icons, including the Prophet of Islam Mohammed (PBUH), an uproar and a turmoil within Muslim communities in Europe and all over the globe has sparked. Were Muslims’ reactions or overreactions justified? There was no unified opinion about the matter. Some thought that nothing justifies the execution of those journalists who were working within the frame of the “freedom of speech” granted to them by law, while some deeply believed that the tabloid paper crossed all boundaries and touched the untouchable, therefore those individuals who carried the attacks, had enough motives to execute their plans.

I am not here to discuss who was right or wrong, I am not here to defend one group against another; all are capable of backing up their claims and able to justify their actions. I am rather here to discuss something deeper than just reacting aggressively to defend the Prophet of Islam.

I strongly believe that the reaction of those who conducted the attacks, or any “holy” attack on non-Muslims, thinking or even believing that they are carrying a sacred duty to defend God’s will on Earth, and to be both judges and executioners, is lacking the Divine legitimacy. Therefore, what happened in Paris cannot be classified as a “Holy War”, to clear the name and the image of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) for many Divine reasons, which are derived from the Holy Quran and from how Prophet Mohammed personally dealt with those who attacked or insulted him during his deliverance of the Divine Message.

God said in the Holy Quran: وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ يُكْفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلا تَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُم حَتَّى يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِثْلُهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعا
That means, Muslims are not allowed to be present whenever someone mocks the words of God, and makes fun of His Holy Verses, and He even authorized that Muslims can go back to those who mocked Him and sit with them, pending that they have changed the subject.

God is Merciful, God is Forgiving, God Knows Best..

Moreover, it is recorded in Islamic history that Prophet Mohammed was so upset when he was ridiculed. Those who did not believe in the Prophet’s message ridiculed not only him, but God Himself as well. How the Deity reacted to His Prophet’s sadness and discomfort was a lesson to those who overreact nowadays. God did NOT order Prophet Mohammed to carry the sword and fight them; He did NOT order him to send a “suicide bomber”. Instead, God addressed His Messenger in a comforting manner, He said: وَلَا يَحْزُنْكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا ۚ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

This is enough proof and evidence that Islam is by far a religion of lenience and tolerance, unlike how many Muslim preachers want us to believe. Those preachers did more damage to Islam than those who oppose its rituals.

Islam has been subject to attacks and destruction from within.

It is so worryingly frightening to see that people’s faith was shaken by drawings mocking the Prophet of Islam. Not that I defend the satirical tabloid newspaper; not at all, but Muslims should have dealt with the matter with more sagacity and wisdom, therefore following the footsteps of their Messenger, when that was needed the most. The question that many ask is whether the flaw is in Muslims, religion itself or how Muslim clergies interpreted the Divine Words. I would rather lean towards the last option. The Islamic rituals are overall promoting peace, coexistence, and tolerance; the Holy Quran is full of Verses proving this statement. However, the actions of Muslims, and I am not generalizing here, prove otherwise. It is sad indeed to admit that Islam has been associated with violence, beheadings, suicide attacks (which is a new culture and trend in Islam), and many other conducts that defy the completely peaceful message the Prophet brought to the world.

Moreover, I keep wondering why Muslims ONLY react when Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is under attack or been mocked or ridiculed. Why they do not adopt the same reaction when other God’s Prophets have been subject to similar attacks? I cannot remember that a single Muslim reacted when many movies or drawings even personated God, and needless to give examples of the movies or documentaries; there are plenty out there. Is Prophet Mohammed better than God Himself to stir all this violence? I strongly doubt that the Deity will be happy about how His Message of peace turned to become a Doctrine of violence.

I strongly believe that it is about time that moderate Muslim Scholars take matters into their hands and reconsider what has to be taught to our youth and the upcoming generation. It is vital that our children learn about the true Islam; the Islam of peace and compassion, the Islam of forgiveness and tolerance, the Islam that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was ordered to deliver to the world, and not that is taught in the dens of hatred and rancor. The Islam of beheadings, honor killings, refusing what is different, the Islam of dogmatic mentalities fed with teachings of radicals who clearly do not represent the Deity in any capacity, and nor the prophet, this Islam has absolutely nothing to do with the True Divine Doctrine that Mohammed strived to spread among his people and the world at large.

We have an obligation towards our children, our communities, and ourselves. We have an obligation, above all, towards God Himself and His Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). We will be questioned over this failure. It is utterly disgusting to see that over One Billion Muslims are ineffective, feckless and incapable to stand against those who are staining the true image of Islam and destroying our faith from its very core.

I will even dare to conclude by saying that if Muslims’ faith is shaken by simple satirical drawings, then I am afraid to say that they need to reconsider and reassess their entire creed. God, Mohammed and Islam are bigger and mightier to be shaken by such an act. True Muslims are too good to be dragged to the trap set by those radicals who have hijacked our faith and religion to serve their agendas. We should act and we should act now. The longer we remain passive, the more damage we do to our own faith. Islam has been hijacked for a very long time, and it is about time to claim it back.

My Religion.. My Faith.. My Right

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Dr.Mourad Beni-ich is a Political, Intelligence & Strategic Analyst based in Washington, DC. Mr.Beni-ich holds a BA in Law, a BA in Political Sciences, a MA in Security and Intelligence Analyses, a MA in Global Terrorism and a PhD in International Politics. His studies were pursued in England and the U.S. Mr.Beni-ich began his career as a lawyer working for the British Home Office (The Ministry of Interior) as well as The British Foreign Office. Mr.Beni-ich gave many lectures in the United States regarding the current affairs in the MENA region, both in universities and organizations. Mr. Beni-ich is currently based in Washington, DC where he lobbies for the Moroccan affairs and coordinates with many U.S. officials and Think-Tanks to promote Morocco’s interests, both in the United States and Morocco. You can follow him on Twitter at: @MonarchKnight[/symple_box]