Advice for those who anger their Muslim brothers over the French newspaper case
After the French newspaper incident, we saw on social media some Muslims approving the operation while others disapproved. I am not here to discuss the legal aspects of the operation or its benefits and harms. What is painful is to see people who are gentler with polytheists than with their Muslim brothers! They comment on those who approved the operation or rejoiced in it with comments like the following: (Cursed be the terrorism that dwells in your minds)! (You are the ones who make people hate Islam)! I remind these people of the hadith narrated by Muslim that Abu Sufyan came upon Salman, Suhaib, and Bilal in a group, and it appears that this was during the truce after Al-Hudaybiyyah. These companions said: 'By Allah, the swords of Allah have not taken the neck of the enemy of Allah as they should.' (They said this out of anger at Abu Sufyan who had harmed the Muslims). So Abu Bakr said: (Do you say this to the elder of Quraysh and their leader?) (Because Abu Sufyan was a nobleman of Quraysh). So Abu Bakr came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and informed him. The Prophet said to him: ((O Abu Bakr! Perhaps you have angered them. If you have angered them, you have angered your Lord)). So Abu Bakr went to them and said: (O my brothers, have I angered you?) They said: (No, may Allah forgive you, O brother). Therefore, my brothers, our Prophet, peace be upon him, warns us that the matter of a fighting polytheist is less important than angering a Muslim for his sake. These companions did not say their words except out of love for Allah and zeal for His religion and anger at those who fought Him. So Allah is angry with their anger and pleased with their pleasure. Notice that Abu Bakr rebuked them gently, without attacking them, cursing them, mocking them, or saying that they distort Islam. Yet, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, warned him that angering them for the sake of a disbeliever angers Allah! So how much more when the matter is about criminals who mocked our Prophet, peace be upon him, who are neither protected nor have we been spared from their evil! Why do you attack your brother in Allah, anger him, and stir up a storm of debate that increases our division? Yes, you can discuss the issue in a calm, legal manner... and yes, some young people make mistakes in their style and speech. But are they not more deserving of your gentleness, patience, and broad-mindedness than the polytheists whom you - as they also - want to give a bright image of Islam? My brothers, we are all in this world together, so let us be merciful to each other instead of belittling each other and mocking each other. Peace be upon you. #Charlie_Hebdo #France_March #Paris_March