The Wrong Concept of Blasphemy and Ignorance of the Modern Period

By Mufti Athar Shamsi Mazaheri

Translated into English by New Age Islam Edit Desk

6 September 2022

 The Glory of the Prophet Is So High That It Is Impossible For Anyone to Insult Him

Main Points:

1.    The current understanding of blasphemy against the Prophet by the people is an indication of their ignorance of the modern period.

2.    All historical evidence suggests that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the architect of the modern period.

3.    The truth is that history has decided a greater place for Muhammad (peace be upon him) than we envisage and anyone who challenges him is insulting himself.

4.    The best course of action at this moment is to use this scenario as an opportunity for spreading the teachings of the Prophet.

……..

The current understanding of blasphemy against the Prophet by Muslims is an indication of their ignorance of the modern period. The contemporary period would not have achieved its current level of development if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had not arrived. In the modern world, education is becoming more and more crucial. But, according to historical evidence, who asserted that acquiring education is the most important endeavour? Who was the first person to whom the first Quranic verse on education was revealed?

Freedom is viewed as a very holy virtue, regardless of whether it pertains to a person's intellectual freedom, religious freedom, freedom of expression, freedom to make decisions, etc.

Before the sixth century AD, slavery was prevalent everywhere and there was intellectual and physical persecution. Even an intellectual like Aristotle may be seen to support slavery. However, if we take a look at the globe after the sixth century AD, freedom is suddenly discussed everywhere. Even the ideas of religious minorities’ freedom begin to take shape quickly. Laws start to be written on their rights. The issue of what event changed the world from oppression to freedom comes up under discussion. The identical response—that the holy Prophet (peace be upon him) must be given credit for this transformation—continues to be offered.

Prior to the sixth century, conditions were incredibly bleak. The planet seemed to be in its infancy as far as science, civilisation, and technology were concerned. Nevertheless, if you look at the next two or three centuries, you can see how science and technology spread to every part of the world. From Baghdad to Spain, a brand-new universe of creativity arrived, opening the mouths of Europeans in wonder. Everyone of great opinion, including those from Europe, rushed to the Islamic realm to experience this new reality. From Cordoba to Baghdad, European academics began to appear everywhere in Muslim educational institutions. What abruptly occurred to the planet is the question. After all, what historical event could have abruptly shifted time from one side to the other? The response is the same once more: the arrival of Muhammad, the Islamic Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The purpose of this illustration is to demonstrate how Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah, (may God bless him and grant him peace) is the one who has caused all the compassionate blessings and good things that have come to this earth. All historical evidence suggests that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the architect of the modern period. The beauty of the modern era is all because of him. The world will remain standing as it was prior to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), if all the splendours of this age are withdrawn from his influence.

According to a subjective analysis of history, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a prophet and a magnificent personality who is rightly considered the founder of the modern era. This suggests that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) taught the world about science, civilization, and a number of contemporary achievements. It merely means that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the world that "mindset," which led to the opening of the globe to all forms of prosperity, civilization, and development.

The fact is that every innovation in the world has been influenced by human thought patterns.  Before the Prophet (peace be upon him), the world was consumed with superstition, oppression, and worship of nature. The Messenger of Allah brought the world out of the age of ignorance and tyranny and into the age of knowledge, freedom, and exploration of the natural world.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) brought about the intellectual and mental development in humanity that gave rise to the modern scientific period. The Holy Prophet's real contribution in this regard seems to be that he pushed the switch that kicked off the modern era fourteen hundred years ago. The moment he pressed the button, the world began to gradually transition into the modern age and the 21st century. The world was given powerful intellectual attitudes and mental concepts by the Prophet (peace be upon him), which guided it out of one age and into a brand-new one. His ideas led to a significant academic, intellectual, and scientific revolution that the world learned about over the course of the following several centuries.

All of these factors together have resulted in the realisation that the great prophet deserves praise for bringing about the contemporary civilisation that we now take for granted. The Prophet's genius is demonstrated by all of the modern wonders. From the pen in his blessed hand that was used to chronicle the evolution of the planet to all the technological developments made by NASA, every wonder of the modern era is a gift from the Prophet. Every blessing also attests to the magnificence and splendour of the Messenger. I firmly believe that the present time period corresponds to the lifetime of the Holy Prophet. The magnificence of the Prophet shall be more revealed during the entire period leading up to the Day of Resurrection.

The world needs to properly comprehend and acknowledge the magnificence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the past 1,400 years. The world should also be informed that the true greatness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) lies not only in all the advancements that have occurred over the past 1400 years, but also in the ideas, beliefs, and guiding principles that he has advanced for the benefit of mankind both now and in the hereafter.

Today, our main responsibility is to prepare such intellectual and practical projects in the light of the basic intellectual and moral principles given by Muhammad (peace be upon him) that can bring humanity out of their suffering and save them from extremist thoughts and the clutches of the tyranny of a monster like capitalism.

Let's take steps to remove the monopoly of one class over worldly resources and adopt a just distribution of resources in conformity with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet so that mankind can exhale with relief and continue on the path to prosperity. There is no greater way to convince the world of the Prophet's magnificence than with this message.

However, it is strange that we show no attention to these sincere assertions of the Holy Prophet's magnificence. Instead, we attempt to take credit for anything unconnected to the Prophet's greatness. What will you say about people who, in a time when the greatness of the Prophet is being attested to, utilize every media channel at their disposal to complain that their Messenger has been insulted?

The Lord of the Worlds himself remarked of this wonderful Prophet, "And We have raised your remembrance for you (O dear Prophet)" (94:4), so how can anyone bring his reputation into disrepute? A renowned Prophet who has been declared by the Lord of the Worlds to hold the position of a commended station (Maqaam-e-Mahmood) (Qur'an 17:79) cannot be overthrown by a professional criminal. Who can lower the status of the greatest Prophet, who has been granted the Khulq-e-Azeem certificate by Allah Almighty, as it says in the Quran, "...And you are undoubtedly on the highest degree of moral excellence (khulq-e-azeem)." (The Quran, 68:4)?

History has demonstrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the one with the greatest personality and the most honourable character. Anyone who contests it is putting himself or herself down. Because it is impossible for anybody to insult the Prophet, you should not suggest that someone using derogatory language against the Prophet's grandeur is doing so against the glory of the Prophet. Instead, you may use his derogatory remarks to highlight that person's flaws.  You shouldn't assert that the Prophet was blasphemed because it is impossible to insult him due to his great majesty.

The best course of action at this moment is to use this scenario as an opportunity for spreading the teachings of the Prophet.  We should engage in discussion with the world through all media, allow people to freely ask questions, carefully evaluate their inquiries, and then politely and scientifically respond to those inquiries.

Urdu Article:  The Concept of Blasphemy in the Modern Period دور جدید اور توہین رسالت کا تصور

 URL:   https://newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/concept-blasphemy-ignorance-/d/127886

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