Responding to religious insults with faith, wisdom and restraint (Part 4)

4. Correct the falsehood

If someone misrepresents Muhammad (pbuh), teach people who Muhammad (pbuh) really was.

Tell them about his mercy.

Tell them about his justice.

Tell them about his patience.

Tell them about his forgiveness.

5. Report genuine offences

Use lawful channels.

The Muslim does not become the police, prosecutor, judge and executioner.

6. Protect the innocent

If one Christian insults Islam, do not attack another Christian who knows nothing about it.

If one Muslim makes an offensive statement, do not blame all Muslims.

7. Restore peace

After the controversy, bring responsible Muslim and Christian leaders together.

Talk.

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Clarify.

Forgive where forgiveness is appropriate.

And rebuild trust.

Ghana must not become a battlefield of religious provocation

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us look around Ghana.

Muslims and Christians have lived together for generations.

We have Muslim fathers with Christian in-laws.

Christian mothers with Muslim sons-in-law.

Muslim and Christian business partners.

Muslim and Christian neighbours.

Muslim and Christian classmates.

Muslims and Christians serving together in the military, police, public service, universities, hospitals, markets and businesses.

This is Ghana.

We must protect this peace.

Religious freedom is precious.

But religious freedom comes with religious responsibility.

A microphone is not a weapon.

A pulpit is not a battlefield.

A smartphone is not a licence to spread hatred.

A viral video is not a fatwa (religious decree).

And anger is not evidence.

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A word to Muslim scholars

To my fellow Imams and Islamic scholars:

Allah has placed a trust upon our shoulders. You are the best of generations selected for the guidance of mankind. Quran chapter 3:110.

When people are angry, we must calm them.

When people are confused, we must educate them.

When people want revenge, we must teach justice.

When people want violence, we must remind them of Allah.

Our microphone should extinguish fire—not pour petrol upon it.

The Prophet said:ِ

لَيْس َ الشَّدِيد ُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيد ُ الَّذِي يَمْلِك ُ نَفْسَه ُ عِنْد َ الْغَضَب

“The strong man is not the one who can overpower others; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6114; Sahih Muslim, 2609)

This is strength.

Self-control is strength.

Restraint is strength.

Wisdom is strength.

Justice is strength.

A word to Christian preachers

And to our Christian brothers and sisters, especially those who preach:

We Muslims deeply revere Jesus (peace be upon him)

He is not an ordinary man in Islam.

He is ʿĪsā ibn Maryam عليه السالم, a mighty Messenger of Allah.

The author is the Chief Imam of Katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert.

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