Some 100 students of Cambridge University have staged a sit-in or they call it Occupation at the Law Faculty to imitate what other universities across the UK have been doing. Initially the muslims bunch of us are going to join but after a few thoughts and discussions, we decided that this should not be in our name. The sit-in is to demand the university to act on the crisis in Gaza. See here for more information.
There are a few reasons for us not to join in. Besides the political reasons which I do not wish to publish here, I think fundamentally, as muslims, we should always strive to follow the footstep of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) in everything that we decide to do or if we want to do it in the name to Islam. Simply because we are hijabis, like it or not, whenever we go out and do something, people will recognise us firstly as muslims (even if we are doing it individually, not in the name of ISOC), especially when we are in a non-muslim country and muslims are always under the spot light in these recent years. It is already a damaging publicity for some muslims to act in a radical way to demand immediate solution like suicide bombing. We for sure do not want to use this sit-in to demand a shortcut and short-term solution to the crisis. Yes, if this sit-in is successful and the demands are made by the university, it is a good news but is that an example that we want others to learn from us? Does end justify the means?
There is no shortcut in this life and all shortcuts will lead to disaster at the end. Everyone wants to have an easy life, get what they want as quick and as effortless as possible. Yes, we should not waste our time and resources to achieve certain goals, yet, we are not told to do so by radical and extreme means. Muslims are moderate bunch of people. Has the Qur'an not taught us to be the people of the middle way?
"Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chosen from among Our servants; but of them is he who makes his soul to suffer a loss, and of them is he who takes a middle course, and of them is he who is foremost in deeds of goodness by ALLAH's permission; this is the great excellence."~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah al-Fatir (Chapter 35, The Originator) verse 32
Has the Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us to act like extremists? When he (saw) and the earliest group of muslims were tortured, killed, persecuted, boycotted, harmed, oppressed until an extend that the Companions (ra) asked the Prophet Muhammad (saw) when will the help of ALLAH come, ALLAH replied:
"Or do you think that you would enter the Garden while yet the state of those who have passed away before you has not come upon you; distress and affliction befell them and they were shaken violently, so that the Messenger and those who believed with him said: When will the help of ALLAH come? Now surely the help of ALLAH is near!"~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah al-Baqarah (Chapter 2, The Cow) verse 214
There had never been any extreme or radical action taken by the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Instead, everything was dealt with patience (sabr) because clearly ALLAH is with those who are patient. Shortcut is only taken by those who have no patient. If a shortcut means breaking the rules or creating discomfort or harm to others, that is clearly out of the fold of Islam. So, how can you demand something good by doing something bad?
"Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; establish regular prayers; spend out of (the gifts), We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off evil with good; for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home."~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah ar-Rad (Chapter 13, The Thunder) verse 22
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us to repel evils with good actions. Never fight an injustice with another injustice. When a blind Jewish lady cursed and humiliated the Prophet (saw) every morning on the street where the Prophet (saw) passed by daily, did he shout at her? No, instead, he gave her a date to eat. After years of tortured and finally the muslims conquered Makkah, did the Prophet (saw) took any revenge by killing or oppressing the non-muslims who used to do the same to the muslims? No, instead, he wanted good for them, pardoned them and preached them to be good, to follow the teaching of ALLAH.
Muslims don't take extreme actions even in extreme situations because under extreme circumstances, what matter is our patience and reliance on ALLAH. We plot, we pray and we act according to what ALLAH pleases and allows us to do. Whatever the outcomes from our actions done sincerely for the sake of ALLAH and on the path of ALLAH, we have to accept them with gratitude. If we measure the success by the yard stick of the Dunya, we will never be successful because the yard stick of the Akhirah is much more weighty than the Dunya's.
In the time of crisis, let's pray for the best and act the way our beloved (saw) would act. And ALLAH alone is the One that will give us the rewards that we deserve.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
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