While the Koran approaches blasphemy from an ethically and
philosophically mature standpoint, Muslims are dumbfounded by the
never-ending juvenile jabs from certain quarters in the technologically
and financially superior West. It seems that European academia and media
continue to poke fun at Muhammad to flex their "intellectual" muscles. The
most recent incident is that of 12 cartoons depicting Muhammad as a
terrorist. The cartoons were first published by Jyllands-Posten in
Denmark and then by other media outlets across Europe.
Verse 21:41 from the chapter, "The Prophets" says, "Mocked
were apostles before thee; But their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing
that they mocked." So according to the Koran, prophets and mocking go hand
in hand, and the Koran mentions a specific end result for the mockers.
Also, in its characteristically mature style, the Koran
instructs Muslims to "change the channel" when they walk upon senseless
speech then disengage for a short period of time (6:68), and even wish
peace and amicably disengage on a long term basis (28:55).
So with specific Koranic references we have seen that on
one hand the Koran anticipates mocking of Muhammad as prophets before him
were mocked and on the other hand outlines holistic and proactive controls
at various levels of engagement from the Muslim side. If a Muslim or a
group of Muslims react to provocations in an immature or unethical fashion
it is because he/she has decided to act in a non-Koranic manner.
Mocking of Allah, Muhammad and the Koran does not
"innocently" happen. Mocking the three is a stated and proactive strategy
of certain players who have access to the European and other western
media. Muslims can take "scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they
mocked" in verse 21:41 as a prophecy. They can also take it as a Koranic
challenge in the light of verse 21:18 in the same chapter:
21:18: "Nay, We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it
knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! Woe be to you
for the things ye ascribe."
Western provocations are opportunities in disguise to
share Islamic teachings with fellow human beings – western or otherwise.
Shouting, burning, beating, killing, boycotting, etc are not the most
effective approaches to "hem" the mockers. The best jihad is through the
Koran (25:52).