Aqsa: A Victim of Ignorance

As-Salaamu alaikum and Peace be with you!

As we were in the middle of the Annual Pilgrimage in Makkah, we heard the sad and bad news of the killing of the young and innocent Aqsa Parvez. No matter what the motives are, the act is contradicting the very spirit of Islam, family values and parenthood.

I just keep wondering why some of us Muslims are the very ones who go against the Qur'an's teachings and then blame the world for all kinds of things. The Qur'an vehemently and clearly stood against the killing of one's children whether out of fear of poverty, dishonor or any other reason for no reason is acceptable. The Prophet's mission was to call people back to the religion of Abraham and eradicate slavery and women oppression and made up beliefs and customs which were not based on revelation but rather human additions and innovations over time.

I have received many emails and voice messages cursing Islam and the Muslims as if we have to be responsible for every crazy and criminal act done by a person who happens to be a "Muslim". My answer to those who emailed us over the last few weeks and called and left messages is as follows:

We are ready to take responsibility of every crime done by a person who happens to be a "Muslim" when every faith group in this planet becomes also ready to take the responsibility of any crime done by any perpetrator from their same faith group. In other words, for instance if a person commits a crime whether for religious beliefs or other reasons then his, or her, whole faith group is going to consider that in the name of their faith.

Of course, this does not make a sense to you but my question is: why does it make a sense when a Muslim does it??? A Muslim person is not an angel and a Muslim person is another human being. All humans do make mistakes and unfortunately sometimes despicable crimes. We Muslims are neither claiming to be perfect nor to be sinless. The crime has no faith and no religion. A crime is a crime. Here is what the Qur'an's point on such issue. Please read the following verses very carefully before accusing Islam:

"Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord has forbidden to you: that you ascribe no thing as partner unto Him and that you do good to parents, and that you slay not your children because of penury - We provide for you and for them - and that you draw not nigh to lewd things whether open or concealed. And that you slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice. This He has commanded you, in order that you may discern." Chap 6. V.151

"Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin." Chap 17. V.31

"When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on?" Chap 16. V.58-9

"“Be merciful to others, Allah will be Merciful to you, and forgive, Allah will forgive you” Related by Imam Ahmad

“Whoever does not show mercy to others, Mercy won’t cover him...and whoever does not forgive, Allah won’t forgive him” Reported by Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim and many others

“The merciful ones deserve the Mercy of the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth so that the One in Heaven – Allah - will cover you with His Mercy” Reported by Ahmad, Abu Daawud and at-Tirmidhi.

As for forcing someone else to wear Hijab or practice something in faith, I believe that the very act itself goes against the word "Faith" or "Iman". The latter is a personal matter and choice. No one gives faith to others not even parents. Islam is one's acceptance of living in
Peace with God and God's creation. The Qur'an clearly says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." (Q 2:256)

Parents could teach, educate and speak about their faith and help their children go through all the challenges. Many youth born in Muslim families and raised in North America and Europe find it difficult to reconcile Muslim traditions with more secular Western lifestyle. Parents must understand that children are not solely their own product but also the product of the society where they live in. In as much as parents expect their children to listen to them, they also need to learn how to listen to their children's concerns. Communication is a must and it goes both ways and with wisdom and patience. If some think Islam is not compatible with the Western environment then this means that Islam is not good for all times and places. Islam is about adjustment, balancing and consideration without compromising one's faith, principles and values.

To simply use force and physical abuse is, and was, never the choice or the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). As a matter of fact, he said,

"He is not one of us the one who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honor due to our elders" Reported by Imam At-Tirmidhi and Imam Abu Dawud

"The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are good to their parents, spouses and
children." Reported by Imam At-Tirmidhi

Imam Hamid Slimi