How can you resolve the Muhammad cartoon issue in Europe?

Answer 1

May Allah's peace be on all the humanity, The Qur'an depicts Jews and Christians as "People of the Book," meaning that they have their own scriptures bestowed upon them by Allah (Allah is simply the Arabic word for God, related to the Hebrew Elohim; we should see it as analogous to the German word Gott, the French Dieu, or the Spanish Dios. It's not the personal name of a deity within a pantheon, like Thor, Aphrodite or Siva.)

Muslim scripture counsels respect for these communities, and indeed, in the history of Islam, within Islamic societies Jews and Christians have fared FAR better than non-Christians in Christendom. Muslims ruled all or part of Spain from around 800 to the late 15th century, when Columbus' great patrons, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella "drove the Moors (Muslims) out of Spain," forced everybody to embrace Catholic Christianity (or be killed), and promoted the exquisite Christian tortures of the Inquisition. Under Muslim rule, Christian and Jewish communities generally flourished from Spain to Iraq. On the other hand, until recent times, Christian intolerance prevailed throughout Europe. But we need to know that of these people of the book, there are numerous of them who are righteous and God fearing.

In the Noble Qura'n, Allah says that

"O mankind! [this includes all races and all nations] We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted. (The Noble Quran, 49:13)" "Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. (The Noble Quran, 3:113-3:114)" The best thing to do by the Muslims & persons of good will everywhere is TO DO NOT FALL FOR PROVOCATIONS. From Count Thurn's 1618 defenestration of Prague to Bismarck's Ems telegram in 1870 and most recent deceitful incidents we are all aware of, big and small wars have often grown out of staged provocations. Humanity must act now to neutralize war provocations, and thus to prevent the horrors of WAR AND HATRED.

IN CASES OF SUCH AN OFFENSE AS THE CARTOON ISSUE AND EVEN WORSE, THE BEST RESOLUTION IS FORGIVENESS ACCORDING TO THE MORALS OF ISLAM.

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, ' Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, ONENESS, UNIQUENESS OF ALLAH (TAWHEED), Volume 9, Book 93, Number 473)"

The Muslim needs to always be polite, humble, patient, loving and well mannered when he/she deals with others, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. Allah Almighty certainly doesn't love those who are offensive and rude to others.

One of the moral traits strongly recommended in the Qur'an is forgiveness: Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (Qur'an, 7: 199) In another verse Allah commands: "… They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Qur'an, 24:22) Those who do not abide by the moral values of the Qur'an find it very difficult to forgive others. Because, they are easily angered by any error committed. However, Allah has advised the faithful that forgiveness is more proper: The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah… (Qur'an, 42:40) …. But if you pardon and exonerate and forgive, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 64: 14) It has also been revealed in the Qur'an that forgiveness is a superior moral trait: "But if someone is steadfast and forgives, that is the most resolute course to follow." (Qur'an, 42:43) For that reason, believers are forgiving, compassionate and tolerant people who, as revealed in the Qur'an, "control their rage and pardon other people." (Qur'an, 3:134) Believers' notion of forgiveness is very different to that of those who do not live by the morals of the Qur'an. Even though many people may say they have forgiven someone who has offended them, it nevertheless takes a long time to free themselves of the hatred and anger in their hearts. Their behaviour tends to betray that anger. On the other hand, the forgiveness of believers is sincere. Because believers know that human beings are tried in this world, and learn by their mistakes, they are tolerant and compassionate. Moreover, believers are also capable of forgiveness even when they are in the right, and the other in the wrong. When forgiving, they make no distinction between large errors and small ones. Someone may cause severe losses to them by mistake. However, believers know that everything takes place under the command of Allah, and according to a specific destiny, and therefore, they surrender themselves to these developments, never acquiescing to anger. Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran commands us to return the evil that is done to us by others to not only with good, but with best! Let us look at Noble Verse 13:22 "Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; establish regular prayers; spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; '''and turn off evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home."''' Let us look at Noble Verse 23:96 "Repel evil with that which is best: We are Well-acquainted with the things they say." Let us look at Noble Verse 41:34 "Nor can goodness and evil be equal.'''Repel (evil) with that is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!."''' Let us look at Noble Verse 28:54 "Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert evil with good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them." Whether people speak evil of you, in your presence or behind your back, or they do evil to you in either of those ways, all is known to Allah Almighty. It is not for you to punish. Your best course is not to do evil in your turn, but to do what will best repel the evil. Two evils do not make a good. You do not return good for evil, for there is no equality or comparison between the two. You repel or destroy evil with something which is far better, just as an antidote is better than poison. You foil hatred with love. You repel ignorance with knowledge, folly and wickedness with the friendly message of Revelation. The man who was in bondage of sin, you not only liberate from sin, but make him your greatest friend and helper in the cause of Allah Almighty!. Such is the alchemy of the Word of Allah Almighty!. Your credit for returning evil with good and paying for charity is double. Also if you forgive and return the evil with good, then Allah Almighty will love you and reward you. No offensive name calling is allowed! And we do not look down on others! "O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. (The Noble Quran, 49:11)" Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran also commands the Muslims to be just and fair to everyone: "O ye who believe! Stand out firmly For justice, as witnesses To Allah, even as against Yourselves, or your parents, Or your kin, and whether It be (against) rich or poor: For Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (Of your hearts), lest ye Swerve, and if ye Distort (justice) or decline To do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted With all that ye do." (The Noble Quran, 4:135) "O ye who believe! Stand out firmly For Allah, as witnesses To fair dealing, and let not The hatred of others To you make you swerve To wrong and depart from Justice.Be just: that is Next to Piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted With all that ye do." (The Noble Quran, 5:8) "But if anyone earns A fault or a sin And throws it on to one That is innocent, He carries (on himself) (Both) a falsehood And a flagrant sin". (The Noble Quran, 4:112) "Allah commands justice, the doing Of good, and liberality to kith And kin, and He forbids All shameful deeds, and injustice And rebellion:He instructs you, That ye may receive admonition. " (The Noble Quran, 16:90) "...Help ye one another In righteousness and piety, But help ye not one another In sin and rancour: Fear Allah: for Allah Is strict in punishment. " (The Noble Quran, 5:2) ALLAH KNOWS BEST!!!,http://www.usislam.org/debate/challenging_ignorance_on_islam.htm http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_54.html http://www.answering-Christianity.com/true_islamic_justice.htm