Question:- In recent times, it’s been observed that a lot of people are ridiculing and mocking over Islam and Muslims on social media platforms.*What should be our approach(as a Muslim) in these situations?
Answer:- Many Muslims don’t have the correct perspective and understanding of the wisdom behind Islamic practices, commandments, and laws.
Due to lack of knowledge, in such instances either they indulge in a heated debate which causes friction in the relationship, or they ignore these questions/events entirely which further cascades the consequences.
Now let’s see what the Quran commands us to do in these type of situations.
Allah says in Quran, *“Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is best, and you will see that the one you had mutual enmity with him will turn as if he were a close friend.”* [Quran 41:34]
So Allah has commanded us in the above verse to be *Good, Gentle, and not to be abusive* while addressing these situations(when people are mocking or doing bad to us).
As a result of good behavior and conduct, we’ll find their hearts softened and anger subsided, which will make them friendlier and understanding than before.
But it doesn’t mean that one should not reply on such allegations or avoid propagating the truth in these confronting situation, because if we see the actions of *Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) and his companions* who faced much worse situations of all times, they always maintained the exceptional character and responded in a befitting manner and never refrained from proclaiming the truth and message of Islam.
Allah also guides us in the Quran on how to give advice, or to have a healthy argument in the best way.
*“Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel. And argue with them in the best of manners.”* [Quran 16:125]
However, individuals or the groups which are only interested in mocking Islam and refuting Quranic verses and don’t want to have a fair discussion to understand the reasoning, then the Quran commands us to leave such gatherings.
Allah says in the Quran:
*“and He has revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah being disbelieved and ridiculed, you should not sit with them unless they enter into some other discourse. You, in that case, would be like them.”* [Quran 4:140]
With the aforementioned advice from the Quran, we have been asked to repel evil with good, display good behavior, address the situation with wisdom, and when being addressed harshly, reply with words of Peace and forgive.
In all circumstances, *we should seek guidance from the Quran and convey its message to mankind.*
