Terrorism in France and How a Muslim should Respond

On 16 October 2020, a French schoolteacher, Samuel Paty was brutally murdered on the streets of the French town of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine by a violent extremist, who may have been a Muslim in name but certainly not by deed. In addition, three people have been stabbed to death in Nice in a suspected terrorist attack. Inevitably, these horrific attacks, conducted on the false pretext of defending the honor of the Prophet of Islam have led to outrage and has exacerbated tensions between Muslims in France and the rest of French society.

The worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad responded to this incident in very clear terms and highlighted the true Islamic teachings to deal with situation like these. He said:

“The murder and beheading of Samuel Paty and the attack in Nice earlier today must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Such grievous attacks are completely against the teachings of Islam. Our religion does not permit terrorism or extremism under any circumstances and anyone who claims otherwise acts against the teachings of the Holy Quran and contrary to the noble character of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

“As the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims and to the French nation. Let it be clear that our condemnation and hatred of such attacks is not something new but has always been our position and stance. The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and his Successors have always categorically rejected all forms of violence or bloodshed in the name of religion.

The fallout from this heinous act has further exacerbated the tensions between the Islamic world and the West and between Muslims living in France and the rest of society. We consider this to be a source of deep regret and a means of further undermining the peace and stability of the world. We must all join together to root out all forms of extremism and to encourage mutual understanding and tolerance. From our perspective, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will spare no effort in our mission to foster a better understanding of the true and peaceful teachings of Islam in the world.”

As a teacher, Samuel Paty was acting within the French law and within the confines of the prescribed secular educational curriculum. In this regard, irrespective, of whether Muslims consider the cartoons/caricatures to be offensive, Mr. Paty was an entirely innocent and blameless victim.

To respond violently or to advocate a fanatical reaction serves only to benefit those who wish to portray Islam as a fundamentalist and extremist religion. It serves only to entrench the position of those who seek to justify the publication of cartoons depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a matter of freedom of expression. Thus, such vile attacks will not deter or diminish the prospects of further cartoons being published but will only lead to their further publication and spread. Recent history has proven this point to be true – the violent reaction that followed the initial publication of caricatures depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad in 2005 did not deter others from doing the same, rather it served to embolden and to strengthen the resolve of others to follow in their footsteps.

We consider the cartoons depicting the Holy Prophet Muhammad published by Charlie Hebdo and those published in the past by other publications to be offensive, distressful and provocative. This is a natural human reaction based upon our love and devotion to the Holy Prophet Muhammad who we consider to be a perfect role model for mankind. Moreover, we consider it unfortunate that the sanctity of religion is eroding day by day.

With freedom comes responsibility and so when it comes to freedom of expression, it is our belief that it should be utilized with a degree of caution. In today’s society, certain topics are considered out of bounds, despite the value placed on free speech. Thankfully, the mainstream of society does not tolerate racist language or anti-Semitic tropes. Limits have been placed on expression for the betterment of society. It is our belief this should extend to what religious people consider to be sacred.

At the same time, we also recognize that when the opponents of the Holy Prophet Muhammad hurled abuse at him or mocked him personally, he responded with peace and never permitted any of his companions to react. To cite just one example, see how the Holy Prophet Muhammad responded to them who mocked and abused him without limit. After numerous insults and verbal attacks against the Holy Prophet, Abdullah bin Ubayy’s own son, who was a Muslim, asked for permission to kill his father for the hurtful and malicious insults he had directed against the Holy Prophet. Yet, setting an example of forbearance and tolerance for not only his companions, but for future Muslims, the Holy Prophet forbade a violent recourse and instead stated: “I will treat your father with compassion and consideration.” Certainly, the response of the Prophet of Islam demonstrates the immeasurable injustice of those who pick up arms to ‘avenge’ the Prophet of Islam.

In a similar vein, in the late 1920s, another book unjustly maligning the character of the Holy Prophet of Islam titled ‘Rangeela Rasul’ was published. Once again, Muslims were outraged but the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmud Ahmad rejected all forms of violence or disorder. Instead, he called on Muslims to hold conventions and programs dedicated to portraying the true character and personality of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

At the time, the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmud Ahmad said:

“O brothers! I say with heart-felt compassion one more time that one who starts fighting is not brave. He is a coward because he has been overcome by his ‘self’. According to a Hadith, the one who suppresses anger is truly brave. It is said that the brave is one who makes a resolute determination and then does not waver from it until he accomplishes it… Make a pledge for three things for the progress of Islam; first of all you will have fear of God and will not be flippant about religion. So, firstly reform yourself. Secondly, be fully interested in conveying the message of Islam. The teachings of Islam should reach each person in the world. The qualities of the Holy Prophet, the virtues of his beautiful life, his blessed model should be known. Thirdly, you should fully try to save the Muslims from social and economic subjugation.”[ii]

In this regard, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community led the way and till this day continues to hold regular events across the world in order to educate and enlighten non-Muslims to the true character of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

Following the murder of Samuel Paty, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in France immediately issued a statement condemning the attack and asserting that it unconditionally violated the teachings of the Holy Quran. The statement also expressed its sympathies to victim’s loved ones and the wider French society.

In the days that followed, Ahmadi Muslims living in France participated in memorials held in tribute to Samuel Paty and held aloft posters proclaiming, ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. At a memorial in his hometown, Ahmadi Muslims formed a human chain and marched forward in solidarity with the French nation and in defense of the true message of Islam. They laid flowers at the school where Samuel Paty had taught. Many local non-Muslims voiced their surprise that Muslims had come to condemn the attack as un-Islamic. In addition, representatives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were approached by national and local media outlets in France and were able to give interviews broadcast on primetime national television, as well as circulated on social media.

The killing of Samuel Paty and the spate of terrorist attacks by so-called Jihadis in recent times has caused great harm to the cause of Islam. Rather than adopting violence or to call for boycotts, Muslims should respond to any form of provocation by increasing their prayers and supplications before Allah the Almighty and invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophet of Islam.

Muslims should seek to spiritually and morally reform themselves and to follow in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, who was sent by Allah the Almighty as a source of everlasting Mercy for all Mankind. They should seek to portray the character of its noble Prophet and to enter constructive dialogue with governments, local authorities and the wider society in order to promote a need for tolerance and empathy.

We pray for peace and for a world in which all communities and people may live together in harmony with mutual respect, safe from the hateful endeavors of extremists who seek to exploit the division that they themselves are responsible for creating.

As Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated,

“People must realize that words can have far-reaching consequences and so rather than speaking of a ‘clash of civilizations or needlessly ratcheting up tensions between different communities, people should refrain from attacking the religious teachings of one another… Let us all, irrespective of our differences, join together and work with a spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and affection for the peace of the world and to promote freedom of belief.”

For further questions or comments, please reach out to the contacts below.

Imam Shamshad Nasir | 248-293-0072 / 909-636-8332 | shamshad.nasir@Ahmadiyya.us

Muhammad.Ahmad | 248-677-1316|Muhammad.Ahmad@Ahmadiyya.us

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Michigan

1730 W Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309 |www.TrueIslam.com

Twitter: @AMCDetroit Facebook: facebook.com/AMCDetroit

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re-institute morality, justice, and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.