Faith & Common Senese: To draw or not to draw...That is the question!

[T]he Holy Quran advises the believers, "...when you hear the Signs of God being denied and mocked at, SIT NOT WITH THEM until they engage in a talk other than that; for in that case you would be like them" (4:140) and “So LEAVE them to plunge in vain talk and playabout, until they meet their Day which they are promised” (70:42).

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Cross-Post
Source & Credit: Al-Mussawir Blog| Salam (Peace)
By Amtul Mussawir Mansoor | May 19, 2010

After the South Park controversy, in which a portion of South Park episode was cut due to a death threat from the radical Muslim group, “Revolution Muslims,” Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris wanted to counter the fear so she declared May 20th "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day." But is this truly the best way to practice one’s freedom of speech, by insulting one’s religion through ridiculing its founder? One might ask why drawing Prophet Muhummad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) is so offending to Muslims? Although, the Quran doesn’t forbid it, there are a few Hadith [sayings of Prophet Muhummad (saw)] which explicitly forbid Muslims from creating visual depictions of figures, because this may lead to idolatry.

Even if one has the freedom to draw Muhummad, it doesn’t mean that he should be drawn, because by drawing him you are purposely insulting billions of people around the world. This entire propaganda is to mock Islam and if you do not have any respect for one’s belief, by all means go ahead, it will just make you a less of a human being.


In response, Muslims shouldn’t send death threats, or create chaos in anyway, but should rather propagate the beautiful teachings of Prophet Muhummad (pbuh), his high morals and civility, his compassion for people, among many others. In addition, the Holy Quran advises the believers, "...when you hear the Signs of God being denied and mocked at, SIT NOT WITH THEM until they engage in a talk other than that; for in that case you would be like them" (4:140) and “So LEAVE them to plunge in vain talk and playabout, until they meet their Day which they are promised” (70:42). Certainly, violence and hostile actions are not permitted in Islam as a form of protest, but one should just “leave” and “sit not with them.”

If this day was declared as a means of protest against “Revolution Muslims,” protest them in a way where the entire religion is not mocked and the sentiments of billions of people aren’t hurt. One can protest “Revolution Muslims” by presenting to them, through media, the pristine teachings of Islam, that they CLAIM to follow, and refuting their actions, in light of the actions of Prophet Muhummad (pbuh).

In order to create a peaceful society in America, one should realize, best put in President Obama’s words, “America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”

Read original blog post here: To draw or not to draw...That is the question!