Responding to those who Insult the Prophet ﷺ

May Allah grant you all that is good. Here is a questioner saying, “Your Eminence, may Allah bless you, there has recently been repeated occurrence of insulting the Prophet—peace be upon him—in different forms, through movies, newspapers, and the like.” “The question is: what is the Islamic stand regarding such insults?” They further added, “What’s the ruling on expressing anger at insulting the Prophet, peace be upon him, by means of demonstrations?” Sheikh: Brothers and sisters, this is not new. At the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, they used to call him a magician, liar, soothsayer, poet, etc., and the prophet, peace be upon him, would be patient. He wouldn’t grow impatient. Allah commanded him to be patient; “And be patient (O Muhammad) with what they say, and keep away from them in a good way” (73:10). The Prophet, peace be upon him, would hear (the insults) but keep patient in fulfillment of Allah’s, may He be glorified, order: “Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)”(15:97-99). He would be patient and prevent his companions from taking revenge. He would prevent his companions from taking revenge when he was in Mecca. He would prevent his companions because if they had taken revenge on polytheists, Islam would have been demolished in Mecca; Da’wah “the call to Islam” would have been nipped in the bud. But once he migrated and found the Ansar “supporters in Madina,” Allah commanded him to fight legitimately against disbelievers. This, however, does not apply to demonstrations, vandalism, and the killing of innocents and those who are promised immunity and protected citizens. This is betrayal and unlawful. It is unlawful to kill innocents, even if they are disbelievers; it is unlawful. “And let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid-Al-Harâm (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part)” (5:2). It is unlawful to assault innocents; "And no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another" (6:164) "And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Qur'an), and then escort him to where he can be secure..." (9:6) The disbeliever's envoys came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, for negotiation. They walked up to him even at his mosque, and he conducted negotiations with them despite that they were polytheists and disbelievers. It has to be made known that Islam is not the religion of anger and revenge but rather one of guidance, mercy, and forbearance as manifested in the Prophet's, peace be upon him, character. What was the result? It was that Allah granted His Prophet victory and honored His religion. And some of those who had made fun of the Prophet, peace be upon him, became Muslim leaders and fighters for the cause of Allah. They accepted Islam and became good Muslims, because the Prophet, peace be upon him, was patient, forbearing, and gentle with them, insofar as they loved him. Allah may he glorified, said, "And Verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character" (68:4). This is the Prophet's, peace be upon him, character. When disbelievers do such things, they intend to ignite provocation. They intend to ignite provocation. Then they will say, "Look at the behavior of Muslims. They kill ambassadors, sabotage houses, and knock down buildings." Does Islam call for that?! This is what the disbelievers want such actions from ignorant or imposter Muslims in order to spite Muslims. It's not permissible to be impatient with such things. "Verily, (many) Messengers were denied before you (O Muhammad), but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt; till Our Help reached them, and none can alter the Words (Decisions) of Allah. Surely there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you)." (6:34) Such is the Islamic method for addressing such issues - forbearance, prudence, patience, and not being hasty. Disbelievers want to make use of such opportunities where Muslims commit acts of arrogance, vandalism and killing. It has reached the point where Muslims would fight one another, demonstrators fight Muslim security forces. This is what disbelievers want. Yes.