بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ,

Recently in Pakistan, a serious case of oppression against Christians by mob behaviour has taken the headlines. As Muslims we must condemn such acts of violence as they encroach upon the rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in the Shari’ah of Islam. To understand the rights that non-Muslims have over Muslims, we read the following from Shaykh Abd al Aziz ibn Baz:

“He should not wrong him, with regard to his physical well being, his wealth or his honour. If he is a dhimmi (non-Muslim living under Muslim rule), musta’man (one who is granted security in a Muslim land) or mu‘aahid (one with whose country the Muslims have a peace deal), then he should give him his due rights, and not transgress against his wealth by stealing, betraying or deceiving, and he should not harm him physically by striking or killing him, because the fact that he is a mu‘aahid or dhimmi, or musta’man, means that he is protected by sharee‘ah.”

“Another right is being a good neighbour. So if he is a neighbour, be kind to him and do not annoy him; give charity to him if he is poor, give him gifts, give him beneficial advice, because these are things that will attract him to Islam and to become Muslim; and because the neighbour has rights. The Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Jibreel kept urging me to be kind to my neighbour until I thought that he would make him my heir.” Saheeh – agreed upon. If the neighbour is a kaafir, he still has the rights of a neighbour; if he is both a relative and a kaafir, then he has two rights: the rights of a neighbour and the rights of a relative. ” – Shaykh Abd al Azeez ibn Baz, “Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, 1/289-291.”

Here is some advice offered by Mufti Ebrahim Desai (damaat barakatahum) concerning blasphemy to the Prophet (peace be upon him) by the disbelievers and what the Muslim reaction should and should not be:

1. Consult with Ulama and responsible people before doing anything. Do not do anything by yourself. Shura and consultation is vital in such an issue.

2. Express anger and disgust within the framework of the law of the country. Use the law of the country to its full capacity.

3. Do not be violent in any way and do not burn buildings, cars, etc.

4. Boycott all Danish products and products of anyone else who support Denmark in this issue or even sympathise with Denmark.

5. Do not confine expression of anger to the cartoon issue. Use the opportunity to express the disgust on Islamophobia in general and highlight some pertinent issues.

6. The most important in this is the issue of Da’awah. Use the opportunity to explain to the world the great personality of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. His lifestyle and character should be printed and published all around the world. This will be an eye opener to many ignorant people and a means of guidance. Take out the positive aspects from a negative one and use the situation to our advantage. Every Muslim should say and write something about our beloved Rasul [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam].

7. It is of utmost importance that we engage in lots of du’aa and Dhikr, Fasting and Sadaqaat. Make du’aa that Allah guide the Ummah in this trying times.

8. Do not conduct ourselves with our fellow non-Muslim citizens in a way that offend them and look for an opportunity to get back at us. We will then be the cause of them showing disrespect to Islam and Islamic values. Always express good character and conduct to all.

9. The most important issue in expressing our love and honour for Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] is following his Sunnah. Expressing our anger at the disrespect to Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] is important but it will be hypocritical if we do not emulate the outward appearance, beard, dressing, etc. and noble character of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. Every one should obtain a kitaab on the Sunnats of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] and implement that in our lives and pass this over to others.

Even the scholars of the Indo-Pak region have stated the same (in responses to a non-Muslim’s blasphemy):

“Punishing a criminal or a guilty is the duty of a government not individuals like we and you. In India, though we do not have an Islamic government, but we should try our level best to get such a perpetrator punished according to the Indian Constitution.” – Darul Iftaa, Darul Uloom Deoband (Fatwa: 1386/1226=B).

It is important to remember, that there is no verse in the Qur’aan or Hadith which permits the crowd/ mob justice against a non-Muslim or Muslim for any reason. If there is a legitimate issue, then there are courts where a Judge can preside over such issues. To act violently as those persons have done in Pakistan, contravenes the sanctity of the relations between Muslims and non-Muslims and disrupts the lives of these victims while causing harm to them and their property, this is certainly haram (impermissible in Islam) and for anyone to claim that this is something which Islam encourages, then such people are only adding flames to the fire and are causing more unrest. The fact of the matter is, such acts are reprehensible and against the teachings as found in the Qur’aan and Sunnah as outlined and stipulated by the Ulama (religious scholars) in their statements (as given above).

wa Allaahu ‘Alam.