A question we ask ourselves about the recent desecration of the Qur’an in Sweden is ‘Why would anybody want to do this?’ ‘What shall we do as a response to those who ridicule Qur’an and the Messenger ﷺ?’
Main Points:
- The recent blasphemy
- The deniers have an agenda in this act
- Why do they do this? Really, what is the reason?
- How can we respond as Muslims (The most important aspect)
Recently, during Eid Ul Adha, in Sweden, the Qur’an was openly disrespected. In January 2023, Sweden was the place where Qur’an was openly burnt on the streets by no other than a government representative. This has happened before earlier this year but this time round, it was only after a court verdict that the Qur’an was disrespected. In countries like France and Norway, blasphemy was also done against the Prophet ﷺ. This shows clear enmity against Islam.
In this regards, there are 3 things worth mentioning:
- The impact of what the Disbelievers are doing
Whenever the Disbelievers have tried to put down the religion of Islam, it has actually yielded in the opposite result than the one that is intended. In the Qur’an it is mentioned:
{يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ} “
They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.
[Surah At-Tawbah: 32]
The more one tries to suppress the religion of Islam, the more it will thrive. This is the nature of the religion and its teaching. The more you try to obliterate the Qur’an, the more it flourishes.
- Why do they keep doing this?
There are many reasons for this repetitive behavior. Two of them are:
- One main reason is that despite their efforts of creating a lavish and comfortable life for themselves without the teachings of Islam, they are unable to live in peace due to their fear of the impact of the Qur’an its teaching.
- The second reason is that they witness the continuous rise and acceptance of not only the Qur’an but also of the Prophet ﷺ. This becomes a means of great concern and anxiety for the Disbelievers.
Hence, when they are unable to stop this, like a cat clawing onto anything near it out of frustration, they begin reacting in such a manner. They rid their anxiety or project it in this manner because this is all that they really can do. They cannot do anything to stop Islam from its rise. They oppress the Muslims, put them down, slash against them with words and actions of hate and despise.
Qur’an speaks of justice and equality for all – a thought they do not want to hear. Qur’an warns against oppression, an act they want to continue in their practice and way of life. It rejects all other gods except for Rabb of the Universe. Qur’an teaches the aspects of worshipping the One True God and accepting this fact whole heartedly. The teachings of the Qur’an include following Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and the Prophet ﷺ as a role model. It gives us focus to what is important instead of blindly following people.
Qur’an releases us from the shackles of victimhood and advocates strength through imaan (faith). It does not discriminate through the color of the skin, family, place of residence or through personal preference. It gives respect to women, whereas the women in their part of the world are a limelight of the bars and lavish lifestyle that uses them for purpose of marketing and promotion.
Qur’an presents the analogy of a husband and wife being clothing to each other and thereby protecting each other. The teachings of the Qur’an creates an environment of discipline in families both nuclear and extended.
It rejects all other forms of trade and business other than the one that is fair and just for both parties. It speaks against interest, a way of life that becomes a shackle for an individual through loans and does not become a means of release by any means. It advocates fair trade and condemns monopoly.
Through the understanding of the Qur’an and its rulings, we learn how a disciplinary way of politics is set up, what the way of a government should be and how it can serve people in a complete manner. It rids of all elements of dishonesty or personal gain in a leadership role.
Hence, Qur’an and the one upon whom it was revealed ﷺ, have become the means to present the 4 basic needs of preservation for mankind:
- Life
- Money
- Honor
- Mind
This is not limited to time, space, any geographical location or any such peripheral aspects of life. It guides us in all walks of life at all times for days to come.
This is what draws people to Islam and hence is resulting in its rise, despite attempts of disrespect and desecration. Those who are rebelling against it, cannot bear to see this happening. They don’t seem to fathom how this book and the Messenger ﷺ are gaining more attention their way. The people who begin to follow this seem to become more liberated and more at peace by this than what we have to offer.
- What can the Muslims do in this circumstance?
We need to continue to protest against it. We have done this in the past, we will continue to do this but the important question is, is this enough? This is definitely a way to release our anger, but the actual result may still not be obtained by just protesting on streets against such actions. Can something else be done also?
I am not asking you to cease the protest. By all means, continue with them and go full throttle, but at the same time Sweden should be boycotted. All ties and relationships should be severed. Yet, the courage that is required to do this is what we lack. The enemy knows this. We could not do this before and we still do not have the ability to carry this on today. So what else can we do, that will help us in the long run and also help obtain the respect and honor that has been put to test?
All those of us who are angered by this action of Sweden and want to do something about it, we need to sit with ourselves in isolation and think: What have we done with the Qur’an in our own lives? What is the status of this Book in our families? The Qur’an has been revealed so that it should be read, understood and implemented. Have we done this ourselves yet? We are to spread it in the society. What is the status of the Qur’an for us? We are quick to react to when it is disrespected but do we not disrespect it by just putting it aside in a fancy cover lying it to be covered with dirt and dust? Should we not then protest against ourselves before hitting the streets?
We need to deeply assess what is the position of the Qur’an and the Seerah in our homes and educational institutes. Let’s think about this and be honest to ourselves. Let’s ask ourselves what responsibilities have I taken up to spread the word of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)? Protest against this thought and do something about it.
It is incumbent that we speak against the wrong that has happened with the disrespect to the Qur’an and the Prophet ﷺ, yet at the same time protest against the fact that we as Muslims do not give Qur’an the right it deserves. The fact that we do not implement the Qur’an and its teaching makes our love for it quite stale.
Living so far away from Sweden where this incident occurred, we cannot do much about it but to protest the way many have done. Our biggest achievement will be do begin understanding the Qur’an and we begin from ourselves and our own homes. We should worry about change here. We should begin now, In Sha’Allah. May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) give us the ability to implement all that we learn. (Aameen)
