When Muslims overreact to things (Muhammed cartoons, Pope's remarks) does it help or hurt their cause?

Question

I call rioting, destroying property, and murder an "overreaction." You may call it something else....

Answer 1

O.K. Umm-Hamza;

Calm down!

Take your brother Poki's advice!

Pray two Rakahs!
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It hurts their cause.

Seems that it might be ingrained, cultural, irrational, uncontrollable behavior.

Like their head coverings.

Regular, non-Muslim, normal men can control themselves when they see women's hair and arms and feet!

Answer 2

Islam is not violent and neither are Muslims unless there is good reason to be.In this situation as a Muslim I would say there is damn good reason. The first reaction to the cartoons is the visceral reaction.To me it seems the Western concept of religion stems from primarily from Christianity and possibly some other peripheral unimportant folk religions.For the most part Christianity is expected to be expressed internally,its something you do in your home and should not not be brought into public or hide the children politics.However Islam is not really a religion in the Western sence.It is complete way of life covering and codifying all sections of human existence.Practicing Muslims and even many that fall down in the practice are extremely devoted to Muhammad.Again this where perception problems come into play.To say that we hold him dear is a severe understatement and since the West has no understanding of the sacred how can you possibly understand how we feel,that we love him more than our families and ourselves? In Guantanamo Bay in order to torture the prisoners psycologically they would violate the Quran in terrible ways.One prisoner said that he knew a Quran was being desecrated by the inhuman howling coming from a cell.Is there any object in your entire existence that you value that much? The insult of the cartoons was not trivial to us,clearly and it has yet to become so. The second reaction is the sharia reaction.The sharia of course being the Islamic law on the matter.The law covers just about anything you can think of including how often to cut your fingernails and it becomes second nature or at least it is consulted frequently by many Muslims on the best course of action to take.In this case there is a consensus among the 4 schools of law.Any non-dhimmi or a Muslim who insullts Muhammad is to be put to death.There is some discussion as to whethor the dhimmi is also put to death.This is of course based on the sunnah of the Prophet himself.And it follows rationally why we do it.As one scholar said,"How can a religion survive if its prophet is cursed?" Islam is not a folk religion.It is not something you play with.From its inception Islam came with power and that power while severely diminished at this time seems to be making a comeback.It reminds me of a story during the Crusdades.The Muslim armies had surrounded a castle that was heavily fortified and there was one soldier that would come out dailiy and curse the prophet.The general of this army said later how he wished he could just get his hands on him.Unfortunately the siege ended and the general was redeployed.10 years later this Crusader was caught by the very same general.The general sent him back to Mecca with the orders that he be slaughtered on the grave of Prophet on the Day of Jumaah in front of all the Muslims.I say this story because these things like insulting our Messenger are very trivial to you but Muslims have long memories when it comes to these issues. I assure you,I too am sick of all the lies that surround my religion,the gross ignorance,the outright stupidity.It does not however not even for an instant change the way I think or feel towards Islam and its law.So curse the prophet if you like but accept the consequences of those actions.

Answer 3

I think it seriously hurts their cause. After 9/11 I tried to argue with people who were down on Islam as a religion, because I didn't (and don't) believe al Qaeda represents Islam. But I have gotten very weary of rioting, destruction, and the senseless murders of any bystanders who are from the same continent as the person who is believed to have somehow insulted that religion. And all too seldom do I hear ordinary Muslims speaking out forcefully against these things. I hope I will never be a bigot, but this massive hysteria over things like cartoons tests my tolerance almost beyond the stretching point.

Answer 4

We're dealing with two sides here. Firstly, the overreactions (and I agree with you here) were miniscule compared to the number of Muslims demonstrating in a peaceful manner. Of course no one heard of these things because the media doesn't put peaceful people as a priority over angry rioters destroying things. It just doesn't bring in the ratings. One example of what I am talking about is when the cartoons were first published, the Muslims of the Middle East boycotted Danish goods. Now, Denmark's main source of income is exporting dairy goods to the Middle East. They just love the cheese! So when this boycott happened, Denmark took a huge punch in the belt. That's what you call a real protest!
Second part is that while it isn't as rampant as it seems, it still happened, and it is something that we as Muslims really need to deal with and put an end to. We tell ourselves that it's just a few and that they are misguided and that there's not much we can do. But the reality of it is that while we think they are misguided, it is our responsibility to guide them. We do alot to help teach the non-Muslim world the truth about Islam, but we can't ignore the Muslims who desperately need it too.
It DOES hurt our cause because it allows those who don't want the world to know about Islam to point and say "See! See! See! Look at those evil people!"

Answer 5

Masha'Allaah, good asnwer Poki Poki......and Sister Hayaa

Like he said we should react to it, butnot too much, such as protesting and the riots that happened here in London etc. I don't think that's right, as it disturbs other people. It's no good. The anger is from the devil-Satan, that causes us to release this. There is a supplication fo when your in anger. A'oothu billaah himinash -Shaytaan-nirajeem. Which means, I take/seek refuge with Allaah from the cursed one (Shaytaan-the devil/satan).

By them releasing their anger, releives the person, but some people can't bare something like this, and just looses their mind to the satan, and bad things start to happen.

Some people go over the top, which involves fights etc. which again is not right. Getting to a high level of anger, can result in cursing, which is forbidden.....

Answer 6

I can understand why they may overact for
things said or cartoons depicting, I just wish
they would overact in the same manner when
innocent people are blown up and innocent
children dying from the people that say they
are doing it for their cause and they are mus-
lims. I see thousands in the street and burning
and demonstrations when one desecrates
their religion but I don't see the same reaction
when one kills and maimes in the name of
the muslim religion, innocent people.

Answer 7

The definition of irony: causing destruction and death in response to been labelled as violent.

ALL OVER A CARTOON!!!! A CARTOON!!!! A DRAWING BY ONE MAN!!!! These people must have something wrong to react by burning things and calling for death of Danes just because of a cartoon.

Yes it hurts them but they don't seem to mind. They must be masochists.

Answer 8

we should react---but not overreact . we should always control our selves abd not get too carried away that we go over the limit and start vandalizing things.

in fact the prophet (pbuh) tells us that the best among us are those who control their anger.

there are several hadiths that instruct Muslims to sit down or lie down at the onset of anger. This helps to slow the breathing and the heart rate and should lead to calmer feelings. This also gives you a chance to step away from the situation and explore your options. Usually, this time-out will allow you to censor your response and find something appropriate.

If sitting does not restore your calm, you should make wudu (clean for prayer). Make a dua (supplication to Allah), saying, "Oh, Allah. I seek refuge from the accursed Shaitan (Satan)." It is also a good idea to ask for Allah's forgiveness for your anger, anything you did to contribute to the confrontation, and anything you did or said in anger. Now, pray two rakahs.

Answer 9

In my mind (as a Christian, who has had to put up with "art" that included a Crucifix in a jar of urine and a "Virgin Mary" molded out of elephant dung)...they need to lighten up.

Yeah...I might not like cartoons and "Jesus jokes" - but - for God's sake...get a sense of humor, my Muslim friends.

Answer 10

I just generally accept the fact that people who say, kill a nun for being Catholic when she leaves for lunch from the children's hospital she been working at for decades (in God's name no less!), aren't actually following Muslim morals.

And yes, it hurts their cause.

Answer 11

Are they over reacting?

Or is it highly offensive?

Christians do the same to comments made by Muslims...eg the Women are just meat statement, that was blown out of proportion by Christian groups.....