The Prophet’s Response to Islamophobia

By Sheikh Hassan Aly

One of the first Islamophobic acts that were recorded in Islamic history occurred just after the first sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a public setting. When he climbed mount Safa’ he said: “Wa Sabahah,” which means “O calamity of the morning!” He then called  the tribes of Mecca by name and continued saying: “O Banū Hāshim, O Banū ‘Abd al-Muṭallib … [and so on], if I were to tell you that behind this hill there is an enemy about to attack you, would you believe me?” they replied “yes”, “Then I warn you that you are heading for a torment.”  Immediately, Abu-Lahab interrupted, saying: “Woe be on you the rest of the day! Is that what you summoned us for?” This was nothing but the beginning. Allah told us in the Quran: “And they say: O you Muhammad (PBUH) to whom the Dhikr (the Qur’an) has been sent down! Verily, you are a mad man.” [15:6] “And the disbelievers say: This Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a sorcerer, a liar.” [38:4] “Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, ‘He is a madman!”[68:51]. People threw stones at him; they laughed at him and circulated false propaganda about him (peace and blessings be upon him). At this pivotal time, Allah’s words came to guide the Messenger and his followers:

“Alif-Lam-Mim. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe’ and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars” [29: 1-3]. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was not only patient, but he prayed for the Islamophobes.

Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet once, “Have you encountered a day harder than the battle of Uhud?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Your tribes have troubled me very much, and the worst was the day of Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn Abd-Yalail ibn Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to what I intended. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and I could not relax until I found myself at a tree where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it. He called me saying, ‘Allah has heard your people’s sayings to you and how they have replied. Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.’ The Angel of the Mountains greeted me, and said, ‘O Muhammad, order what you wish. If you like, I will let the mountains fall on them.’” The Prophet said, “No, I hope that Allah will bring from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone without associating partners with Him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet’s mercy and character in the face of Islamophobia is further exemplified in another incident. When Tufayl ibn ‘Amr al-Dawsi came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “Daws (a well-known tribe) are doomed, they have disobeyed and been stubborn. Pray to Allah against them.” He said: “O Allah, guide Daws and bring them here.” At times of war, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told his commanders not to kill women, children, monks, and the elderly. Once the Prophet (PBUH) saw a dead woman in the battlefield and he made his objection clear and forbade the killing of women and children. He was a mercy for the believers, and for the non-believers.

He was a mercy towards his enemies. He was a mercy to men, women, children, orphans, and widows. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was a mercy to domestic workers, a mercy to animals and even to inanimate objects. He was a mercy to mankind. “Indeed, in this [Quran] is notification for a worshipping people. And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” [21:106-10]

On the other hand, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was an activist in Mecca and Madina. He went out to teach and talk, to debate and negotiate. He travelled to find freedom in Al-Taeef and then in Al-Madina, and we should follow his footsteps (PBUH). “Allah sends His Salaah (Graces, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad), and also His angels (Angels ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salah on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad), and greet him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation, i.e. As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum)” [33:56]

Allahumma Sali wa Salim wa barik ala Sayidena Muhammed wa all ‘aalehe wa sahbehi wa sallam.