The blasphemy of a French magazine against the Islamic Prophet is a lie. A lie called “freedom of expression” and a provocation that benefits certain countries.
The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). And thereby reopened the debate on what the fundamental right to freedom of expression allows versus what some cultures or religions consider blasphemy.
For western countries, these cartoons are considered an important part of freedom of expression. In Islam, such drawings are typical of blasphemy.
Most of the governments, organizations, parties, and groups in the West, in their attacks on religions, desecrate the sanctities, using “freedom of expression” as a weapon to achieve their objectives.
The French Accident
An 18-year-old Chechen teenager named Abdullah Yazidovich A. assassinate Samuel Petty, a history teacher at a Paris suburb, and this was an excuse for the French to insult Muslim shrines again. The past has angered Islamic societies. The outrage has been compounded by the words of Emmanuel Macron last Wednesday in support of the move on the pretext of freedom of opinion, and officials in many countries have condemned the French president’s stance.
The French president called Islam an extremist religion and supported the publication of cartoons insulting Islamic sanctities. Upholding the values of secularism, saying that attacking a French teacher had all the hallmarks of an “Islamist terrorist attack” and that the school teacher “Freedom of expression education has been killed! “The French interior minister also announced the closure of at least 73 mosques and private Islamic schools across France since January, claiming to be working to combat religious extremism.
Charlie Hebdo Magazine
In 2008, Maurice Sinet was fired from Charlie Hebdo for a column directed at a son of then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sparking accusations of anti-Semitism.
“He has declared wanting to convert to Judaism before marrying his fiancée, a Jewess, and heiress to (the major appliance stores) Darty. He’ll go far in life, that kid! ”Sinet wrote that year, without insulting Judaism. But referring in his statements to a Jewish family was enough to accuse him of anti-Semitism.
Shortly after, in the same magazine, he published an insulting cartoon against the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). It angered Muslims all over the world. As he justified his drawing in the context of “freedom of expression”.
A few days ago, the Gala magazine included in its edition the insulting images against the Prophet Mohamad (PBUH).
There is a big difference between Charlie Hebdo’s behavior towards Muslims and Jews. But when it comes to a deliberate attack on the sanctities of Islam, freedom of speech is meaningless.
Blasphemy against Muhammed is not acceptable
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran denounced that the blasphemy against the Prophet seeks to achieve other objectives. He said that it demonstrates the vile enmity and hatred of the political and cultural structures of the Western world towards Islam.
The pretext of freedom of expression adduced by some French politicians for not condemning this great crime is totally unacceptable, erroneous, and demagogic, he emphasized.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, Denmark’s most tumultuous and remembered thinker and philosopher, said that People demand freedom of expression as compensation for the freedom of thought, which they rarely use.
Charlie Hebdo is not a stream or organization with thoughts that serve humanity or social life. This magazine acts like many Western governments and officials, who justify the violation of the right to freedom, using the lie of freedom of expression.
Islam denounce all forms of violence
Islam denounces all forms of violence and terrorism in the name of religion. There is no permission or reason for a Muslim to react violently to blasphemous acts.
However, while Islam guides to give patience and neglect such provocations. On the other hand, it also teaches respect for the feelings of others. For example, the biggest sin in Islam is idolatry. Yet Islam doesn’t allow Muslims to abuse the religious beliefs of others.
Freedom of opinion and expression
Islam supports freedom of opinion and expression, but all freedom and rights need certain duties. Islam shows that there must be certain borders and standards connected with each expression of freedom. In the name of one’s freedom, others cannot be abused or attacked by neglecting their rights.
"Do not insult those whom they invoke instead of Allah, lest they, out of spite, insult Allah in their ignorance." (Quran 6: 109)
How would the Prophet of Islam have reacted?
The love and pride that each Muslim feels for his Prophet are endless. This is one of the purposes why the prestigious author Michael Hart entitled in his book: “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” awarded the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the first position.
A Muslim surely feels great sadness when seeing these cartoons. However, love for the Prophet of Islam needs that Muslims follow his perfect example and instructions. By facing any situation like this, every Muslim should think about how the Prophet would have responded to these provocations against his own person.
Would he have killed or attacked those people?
Absolutely not. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “A true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands others are safe.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 4995)
Would he have organized violent demonstrations, destroying or damaging buildings, property, etc.?
Absolutely not. The Prophet (PBUH) prohibited, even in times of war, attacking, vandalizing, or damaging the property, fields, and belongings of opponents. (Muwatta, Hadith 958)
During his trip to the city of Taif, people didn’t only reject his message but also attacked him so violently that he was seriously injured. As he left the city, an angel asked him if he wants angles to destroy the city. The Prophet replied that he didn’t wish for their destruction, but hoped that, with God’s mercy. If not them, perhaps their children could find guidance towards Islam. (Sahih al-Bukhaari 3231).
Therefore, if the Prophet of Islam is with us today, he wouldn’t have caused anyone any abuse, verbal or physical, in reaction to such situations. Rather, he would have shown tolerance and sought refuge with God.
