THE HOLY QURAN:

وَلَـتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِيۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡكِتٰبَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمِنَ الَّذِيۡنَ اَشۡرَكُوۡۤا اَذًى كَثِيۡـرًا‌ؕ وَاِنۡ تَصۡبِرُوۡا وَتَتَّقُوۡا فَاِنَّ ذٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ الۡاُمُوۡرِ

“… and you will certainly hear much that will trouble you from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently and are regardful (of what is proper and improper) that will be a determining factor in all affairs.”

We have become aware of the offensive statement made by a member of the ruling party of India attacking the character of Muhammed the Prophet, the prayers and the peace be on him. Such things have been said before and they will be repeated by those who are ignorant and also those who feign ignorance seeking to exacerbate more troubles for human society by inciting emotional and burdened populations. Allah, the Most High warns us and teaches us about the strategies of those who incite confusion, misunderstanding and discord.

Unlike those who work sincerely to govern their lives by faith in G’d and behavior befitting that, they are not responsive to the rules of common and universal human decency. Therefore, responsible parties charged with authority over them are required to address them in the interest of that common decency and the preservation of peace. In this case we have also seen and registered the timely response of responsible members of India’s government to condemn such inflammatory and irresponsible comments and we are thankful for that.

In this matter, our concern must be our worldwide Muslim publics, which includes serious attention to how they will comport themselves when faced with such developments. The Muslim world is already in a troubled state of existence. Our hope is that Muslim leaders will accord their publics the best information available of what G’d has said about matters like this and the necessary and appropriate response. G’d says that any and all responses be conditioned by patience and regardfulness.

This is not an occasion for further incitement of emotions. It is clearly a test on the character of Muslims and particularly Muslim leaders to apply the best understandings of our Islamic teachings, while condemning such remarks and the intent behind them to incite emotionally vulnerable and volatile populations.

Our Muslim publics must be educated more and respected more by Muslim leadership. Regard and obey Allah more and sin less, and invite to a better appreciation of what role a faithful and conscious Muslim public has to the stability of our troubled world. We have Guidance in our Holy Book and in the true character of Muhammed the Prophet that will satisfy us and all others who seek Peace and Justice.

We turn to Allah and seek His Help and His approval, and we turn to Him for His support to be more conscious and better prepared for the schemes of oppressors and manipulators that seek to undermine our efforts to realize a just order for human society.