Voice of British Muslim Women

Mubarka Hamid, Birmingham South

When you experience transgression or are wronged, it is a normal human response to react. How you react varies from person to person, and also from religion to religion. Christianity teaches us to turn the other cheek. Judaism teaches revenge in the form of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

 The teachings of Islam are balanced, rational and practical. They look at the greater good and promotion of peace and harmony in society. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘And the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives, and his act brings reformation, his reward is with Allah.’ (42:41) So Islam permits punishment proportional to the wrong, but promotes forgiveness leading to reformation. In some cases, especially in repeat offenders, punishment may be required for the protection and greater good of the society. It is a teaching full of wisdom and takes care of all possible scenarios.

Islam looks after the rights of all human beings, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. It is a religion of tolerance. When a few senseless people use the name of religion to commit evil deeds, they do not represent that religion. If you look at the history of the world, such people have been present in all major religions.   Fact is that Allah commands Muslims in the Holy Qur’an to be: ‘…those who supress anger and pardon men…’ (3:135)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) practiced what he preached. He always promoted tolerance and forgiveness, and even when faced with extreme foul behaviour and aggression, always exhibited forbearance. Despite his supreme status, he was always humble and tolerant.

During the period of grief after the death of his beloved wife Hazrat Khadija, he was walking through the streets of Mecca when a wicked Quraish man threw mud on his head. He did not say a word, but quietly went home to his daughter Hazrat Fatima, who wept while she washed the dirt off his hair.

A woman used to throw rubbish in the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) path as he walked to the mosque, but he never said a bad word to her. When for a few days no rubbish was thrown, he inquired and was told that the woman was ill. He went to check on her and offered his help with her treatment. Such tolerance and kindness was unique to him.

 In the fifth year after migration to Medina, when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was a very respected ruler with thousands of followers who loved him, a hypocrite called Ibn Ubbayy was publicly rude to him. The Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) Companions were offended and angry and wanted to kill Ibn Ubbayy. But the Prophet stopped them and did not say anything back to him. In fact, he forgave the man. This was a great lesson in tolerance for his Companions.

It was this kind, humble and tolerant nature of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that enabled him to conquer the hearts of the whole of Arabia. He was, and is, without doubt, the most loved human being. It is wholly false to project the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) as a man of violence. It is very distressing for Muslims when these fabrications are bandied about. Freedom of speech does not mean blatant drift from the truth. The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)  used to preach that foul language should not be used for any deity or founder of any religion, in order to safeguard the feelings and emotions of their followers – perhaps some in the developed world should take heed and follow this simple advice. In this way, instead of hatred and discontent, love and harmony will manifest between people of different backgrounds and beliefs.