Ways to Deal with Islamophobia: Properly Upholding and Understanding the Quraan and Tawheed

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 وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا

And when you (Muhammad) recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil.

[al-Israa 17:45]

Haafidh Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have Mercy on him] wrote in explanation:

“We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil”: some said this refers to a physical barrier, hence the word ‘Sitr’ (a covering) is used.

Others said it refers to a barrier over their minds, thus there being a difference between guidance and disbelief, at-Tabaree favoured this view.

It is narrated on the authority of Asmaa bin Abee Bakr as-Siddeeq [may Allaah be Pleased with them both] that when Surah al-Lahab was revealed, Aboo Lahab’s wife, Umm Jameelah, came looking for Muhammad and my father. Wailing with a rock in her hand, she was shouting, “Come out, O Mutthammam (a derogatory play-on-words)!” She finally saw Aboo Bakr [may Allaah be Pleased with him] whilst he was sitting with the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him]. As she approached, Aboo Bakr informed the Prophet and said to him, “I fear she will see you and try to harm you.” So the Prophet replied, “She will not see me and then recited the Aayah as a protection for himself:

And when you (Muhammad  ) recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not).

[al-Israa 17:45]

When she approached them she addressed Aboo Bakr and said standing over Aboo Bakr, “O Abu Bakr, you’re companion has poetry defaming me.” So Aboo Bakr replied, “No, by Allaah! It is not poetry that is defaming you.” So she turned away yelling, “The Quraysh know that I am the daughter of a noble man.” End quote.

Ibn Katheer continued:

Qatadah (d. 117AH who was an Imaam from the Salaf) said:

Surely, when the Muslim say Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah, the Mushriks (and disbelievers) disbelieve in this and they refuse it with pride. Iblees and his army restrict their ration. So Allaah does not allow for them to overcome the believers. He Supports the believers and doesn’t allow for the party of Ibless to become apparent and succeed. He doesn’t allow for their plots to be implemented. Surely, this word (Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah with its conditions and proper understanding) is a word which brings success and whoever truly upholds it in their lives, they will be supported. It is something known in this part of the world (at that time), that when the Muslim army mounted their carriages for war, they would depart during the night and they would travel for great distances whilst the people are sleep, without any one of the enemy knowing their presence or sensing them in the slightest.

[Adapted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer (5/82-83)]

Imaam al-Qurubee [may Allaah have Mercy on him] stated:

In the Seerah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] there are incidents in which the Kuffaar prevented from seeing him. Once they gathered around the house of the Prophet in order to ambush and kill him, the Prophet had ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib [may Allaah be Pleased with him] take his place in his bed instead. The Prophet left his house, which was surrounded by would-be assassins, and whilst throwing sand in their faces he recited:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّا فَأَغْشَيْنَاهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ

“And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see.” [Yaaseen 36:9]

Until the Prophet walked passed them all without any one of the enemy seeing him [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him], until he fled from their plots safe and sound.

I (al-Qurtubi) say: something similar happened to me in Andalusia (Spain). I had escaped from my cell whilst in their imprisonment of me in Cordoba. I fled to the latter part of the compound so that I may not be detected. When they had realized that I had escaped, a search party was sent out, and one of their soldiers had caught up to me. I was in a plain open land without anywhere to hide. So I recited the above Aayaat in Surah Yaaseen and other Aayaat from the Quraan. The soldiers passed me by and returned and even went pass me, head on. One of them even said to the other, “This man is a Shaytaan (performing illusions).” So Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, blinded their eyes and they didn’t see me at all. So all Praises are due to Allaah, Praises in abundance for Helping me.

[Adapted from Tafseer Jaami’ al-Ahkaam al-Quraan (10/243)]

Islamophobia: How Allaah Protected the Salaf

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Aswad al-Ansee (a pretender that claimed prophet-hood) came to Yemen looking for Aboo Muslim al-Khawlaanee (a well-known Imaam that died 62 AH). 

Once he captured him, he interrogated Aboo Muslim and forced him to testify belief in him, the false prophet. He pressured him in asking, “Do you bear witness I am the messenger of Allaah?" Aboo Muslim replied with firm resolve, “I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah.” The interrogation intensified to which he constantly found resolve in answering, “I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah.” 

Finally, Aswad al-Ansee retired from his interrogation and ordered a huge fire to be lit, to which Aboo Muslim was flung in. 

Aboo Muslim was not harmed by the fire and left the fire without being harmed in the slightest. 

Reported in Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan (2/338-339), al-Lalikaa’ee in Karamaat al-Awliyaa’ (181), Ibn Nu’aym (2/128-129)

How the Salaf Dealt With Islamophobia

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 Shaykh Saaleh bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez aal ash-Shaykh [may Allaah Preserve him] stated when giving examples of miracles that were given to some of the Salaf:

It could be that a person receives a miracle from Allaah, the Most High, as a means of Allaah Preserving them (because of their piety).

This is exactly what happened to Sufyaan ath-Thawree and Hasan al-Basree [may Allaah have Mercy on them both] when the police came looking for them as the ruler (or government) at that time wanted to summon them. So the officers entered into their houses, searched the place thoroughly, but didn’t find Sufyaan or Hasan even though they both were sitting before their very eyes. Sufyaan was sitting in the very centre of his home and likewise Hasan, there was no way possible that they could have been missed, however this was a miracle from Allaah, the Most High.

It says in the footnotes: this incident has been reported in Tareekh Dimishq (12/48), Tahtheeb al-Kamaal (5/390), Jaami’ al-‘Uloom al-Hikam (1/189) and Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (11/280).

[Sharh al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah (2/499) with the editing of Shaykh ‘Aadil ar-Rafaa’ee]

Ways to Remove Islamophobia

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Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him] lists[1]:

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[1]  Institutions of the European Union: "Article 21 of the charter prohibits discrimination on any ground such as race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, disability, age or sexual orientation and also discrimination on the grounds of nationality."

-Knowledge; how else can you have your religion without knowing what it is?

-The Book and the Sunnah; to follow the evidences and the understanding within it and not to follow ideas, opinions and the desires of others. So if one wants to know his level of Emaan, he can measure himself here. Do you find yourself submitting completely or do you give precedence to other than the commands of al-Islaam?

-Protect your deeds and Allaah Will Protect you; be away from disobedience and thus be saved from punishments, tests and harm. Rather, those who hold to firm practising Islaam are promised the upper hand, a goodly life and an endless rewards in the Hereafter.

"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." [an-Nahl 16:97]

-Not to think that al-Islaam is something weird, rather strangeness maybe something praiseworthy. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] promised a goodly reward for the strangers in the Hereafter where he said,

“Islaam began as something strange and it will return as something strange, just how it began, so Toobaa for the strangers.” [Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh (145)]

Toobaa could be in reference to the reward in the Aakhirah whilst others said it refers to having acccess to a majestic tree in Jannah.

-Subr or patience. This is of three types, all of them result in the slave needing to be patient and long for the reward of Allaah. Everytime when someone wishes for another harm, the patient ones must respond in a way that is better. This way,  patience cultivates beneficial fruits.

"The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend." [Fussilat 41:34]

-Be kind and display the best of manners, even if  people wish upon you harm. Look at the example of how the Jews wished death upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] however did not reply in such a lowly manner.

“But forgive and overlook” [al-Baqarah 2:109]

-To leave the way of the scholars is from the greastest vices of misguidance. We are not to take our understanding from anyone other than them. It is prohibited to revile them and this includes those in authority and rule over the Muslims, turning the common folk against them is not allowed. This point is extremely important and can be a barrier to for the religion and all goodness to flourish.

“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him speak with that which is good or remain silent.” [al-Bukhaaree (6018) and Muslim (47)]

Therefore, use your body in ways which bring about goodness, thus being a criterion between good and bad.

“Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn” [al-Muttaffieen 83:14]

-If one falls into a sin, they quickly hasten to repent and return back to Allaah. The doors of at-Tawbah are open so the believer must not let the Shaytaan dupe him into thinking that the doors are closed for him.

“And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allah - And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

136. For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah's Orders).” [aal ‘Imraan 3: 135-136]

Look how the doors of Tawbaah leads to all the treasures one could ever wish for.

-Having good friends is essential as their influence is immense.

-Choose good deeds and worship which are relevant to the situation you find yourself in. With this, one obtains the greater good (Maslahah), so if a person does a lot of Dhikr during the night, for example, it may be better if they pray Tahajjud instead, especially if the night is so short. If one actualises this point, they will have the keys to gaining a lot of reward for minimal effort, similar to those who use their winter days in fasting.

“Winter is a time of spring for the believer, the days are short so he fasts, and the 

nights are long so he stands.”

[Aboo Na’eem in Hilya al-Awliyaa (8/364); Ibn ‘Adee in Lisaan al-Meezaan (5/118) with an Mashoor Isnaad; Haythamee in Majmaa az-Zawaaid (3/203) with a Hasan Isnaad]

-To call and supplicate to Allaah, not worship the creation or to wholeheartedly depend upon others. The same applies to depending on groups or foundations. When Ya’qoob [Peace be upon him] lost both of his noble sons, yet he did not let a larger group of his offspring put him off reliance and supplication to Allaah:

“He [Ya'qub (Jacob)] said: "Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allah will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."” [Yoosuf 12:83]

-To remove the sense of alienation that the Muslims have, showing that al-Islaam is a peaceful religion, a religion of trustworthiness, justice and an absence of oppression. We conceal the faults of others, fulfill the rights of others such as close and distant family members, even if they are not Muslim. We are a responsible, obedient, well-mannered and humble nation, which does not conflict with the law or abstain from treating others with proper etiquette. If this is displayed, love for the religion will undoubtedly spread.   

-To give up argumentation:

“I guarentee a house in the middle of Jannah for those who give up arguing, even if they are right.” [Reported by Aboo Dawood (4800) classed as authentic by al-Albaanee]

-Not to be proud and think highly of oneself. This is totally unacceptable in the Sharee’ah. Rather the command is to be a practising Muslim and not a proud one.

-One of the greatest ways to be firm is to live your life, every moment of it, in the obedience of Allaah, even if it may be a smile towards the face of your brother.

-To stick to the laws and organisation of the place where you live. Do not break the law or anything that will conflict with the practices of that country, doing this all with the intention to get closer to Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations” [al-Maa’idah 5:1]

-To cooperate in what is good and all betterment (Maslahah) and to expel any harm from another.

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]

The Prophet used to visit the sick, accept invitations, repay debts, transact with others, display the best of manners and did anything that which was good and led to betterment, with the Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“ and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him ]” [al-Baqarah 2:83]

Before the Hijrah during the Makkan period, did the Prophet stay alone and segregated in his house, or was it that he mixed with the people with his lofty characteristics?

-Having full submission and implementation of the Sunnah, meaning that one gives precedence to the Sunnah above his own opinions.

"Whoever says, 'I am pleased with Allaah as my lord, Muhammad as my Messenger and Islaam as my religion', will enter Jannah." [Reported by Aboo Dawood (1529) and classed as Saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan (7/9)]

-Finally, what is the correct manner on dealing with Islamophobia? Firstly, it is upon the Muslims to expel misconceptions about al-Islaam and not to attribute to Islam except that which is good and truthful. Therefore, it is obligatory upon us all to learn the Sunnah (i.e the religion) and exemplify good deeds, just like what the Muslims did in Makkah. Even after they made a treaty with the Mushriks of Quraysh in the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah, they were never treacherousness towards their enemies and their only goal was to display Islaam in their deeds. This can only come about after having knowledge of the Quraan and the Sunnah.

[Taken from the lecture, 'Ways to Defend Islaam in the West' وسائل دفع الغربة في الغرب (15-60mins)]