Luton Muslims: Proud and Prejudiced

Last night people all over the UK and world were presented with "Proud and Prejudiced" on channel 4.  This was a documentary of two of the most controversial men in Britain.

Tommy Robinson (Stephen Lenon), a tanning salon manager, is the leader of the English Defence League, the biggest far-right street protest movement for a generation.

Sayful Islam, a former tax inspector, heads a small group of Muslim extremists, who have become notorious for abusing British soldiers and burning poppies on Remembrance Day.

Both men enjoy a cult-like status with loyal followers, both are specialists in making highly inflammatory speeches and defying the authorities, and both are from the same town: Luton.

The documentary does not in anyway represent the thousands of Muslims and Non-Muslims peacefully living in Luton.  The main concern and issue is individuals such as those in the documentary are uneducated and illiterate about the teachings of Islam.  The Non-Muslims, in particular those in the documentary are not aware of what Islam really is neither do they want to find out because of how it is incorrectly portrayed by a few individuals.

What Is Islam? What Is A Muslim?

Islam (English  /ˈɪzlɑːm/;^{[note 1]} Arabic: الإسلام al-ʾislām  IPA: [ʔɪsˈlæːm] ( listen)^{[note 2]}) is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur'an, atext considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Arabic: الله Allāh), and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of Hadith) of Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

The Quran is the first and foremost important book of guidance, way of life for muslims.  Verses are often taken out of context and without understanding.  Taking verses literally and without knowledge, not only distorts ones correct belief of the religion but also the key reason of Muslims becoming extremism.

Various problems and issues related to the understanding of the rules of Shari'ah occur as a result of the unawareness of the many Quranic ayahs and Hadith by some people.   These individuals misguide themselves and others by misinterpreting the Holy Quran and Hadith.  

Quran Chapter 2 Verse 26:
Verily, Allah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allah intend by this parable?" By it, He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are rebellious.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلاً مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَـذَا مَثَلاً يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيراً وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيراً وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلاَّ الْفَاسِقِينَ (٢٦)

The Quran introduces itself as a book through which God causes many to stray while he guides others along the right path. (2:26) 

Imam Ghazali Rahimahullah, as well as other scholars, has mentioned fifteen branches of knowledge which one must acquire in order to gain insight into any particular issue from the Holy Quran and Hadith. To provide an example, one of these branches of knowledge is the knowledge of the background and circumstances under which the Quranic verses were revealed. Without this knowledge, it would be impossible to understand the meaning and rationale of many verses in the Holy Quran. Consider the following verse:  

“Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they fear Allah and believe and do righteous good deeds, and again fear Allah and believe, and once again fear Allah and do good deeds with Ihsan. And Allah loves the good-doers.”  (5:93) 

If one looks at the literal translation of the above verse, one gets the impression that whatever one eats, whether it is halal (permissible) or haram (forbidden), will not make any difference as long as one believes in Allah, performs good deeds and is mindful of his or her duties. It is only when we learn the background of and the circumstances under which this verse was revealed, that we truly understand the meaning of the verse. 

Let us examine the background of this verse. When the verse forbidding alcohol was revealed a number of companions expressed their concern about those who died before the revelation of this verse. The above verse was revealed to respond to this concern and to ensure the companions that as long as the person believed in Allah, was pious, God fearing and mindful of his or her duties to Allah, he or she will not be punished for his previous drinking; if he is to be punished, it will not be because of his drinking but because of his lack of faith and fear of Allah. 

The above example clearly demonstrates how essential it is to have the knowledge of the rules dealing with the interpretation of the Holy Quran. Without this knowledge, one can easily go astray. 

Regarding the hadith (sayings) and example of god's final messenger Muhammad pbuh, if even his basic teachings were followed they would clearly distinguish a good Muslim and a true follower of his message and faith.  Here are just a few sayings of the best of creation:

The Prophet was asked - What actions are most excellent? He replied - To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.

He who is not kind to God's creatures, and to his own children, God will not be kind to him.  Kindness is a mark of faith: and whoever hath not kindness hath not faith.

Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.

It is not worthy of a speaker of truth to curse people.

He who believeth in one God and the Hereafter, let him speak what is good or remain silent.

He who believeth in one God and the life beyond, let him not injure his neighbors.

Feed the hungry and visit the sick, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

The person who is strong is not strong because he can knock people down. The person who is strong is the one who controls himself when he is angry.

It was said to the Prophet Muhammad, "O Messenger of God! Curse the infidels." Muhammad said, "I am not sent for this; nor was I sent but as mercy to mankind."

As we can see from only a small number of sayings of the messenger, which is the best example Muslims are told to follow is not clearly practised by those who claim to be Muslims today.  Muslims, Christians, Jews and other faiths have always lived in peace in history side by side.  We have many examples as in the Ottoman Empire, Muslim Spain etc for hundreds of years.  These were islamic states that non-muslims desired to live under? Why - because the Muslims then had tolerance of other's beliefs, treated others with justice and were practising Islam in its true form.

The injustice that is being inflicted on Muslims around the world will not be removed by burning flags, protesting and yelling or inciting hatred against non-muslims.  We Muslims must change ourselves “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” From 13: 11. Now we may ask what is the needed change in our souls: 

- We should repent and make Dua to Allah instead of disobeying Him.
- Obedience of the Quran and teachings of the final messenger, Muhammad (pbuh).  Keep steadfast and sincere to the commandments  of Allah and His Messenger.
- Start by changing foremost ourselves, families and neighbourhoods.
- Comprehensive understanding of Islam should replace the misunderstanding or the incomplete understanding.

To conclude, a Muslim must respect the laws of the land in which he lives, whether that land is a Muslim country or not.  If he or she is not happy, then you should migrate.