WHY DO MUSLIMS OBJECT SO VIOLENTLY TO INSULTS TO MOHAMMAD ?

For six years my position had me sit in on the Friday Muslim Jummah prayer meetings for Muslim males.  I hardly missed a meeting in those years.  Therefore, I listened to the Quran verses read, the explanations and discussions, and read the publications and promotional materials.  9/11 happened during my time inside Islam and I was able to hear what Muslim men had to say about the event among themselves... which was very revealing when compared to what was said in public.  I also came to understand why Muslims react to various situations in ways that puzzle the public.

In recent weeks we saw millions of Muslims rioting in cities around the world.  Buildings were burned, people attacked, cities were shut down, and chaos ruled.  And it was all blamed on a video trailer about Mohammad.  Non-Muslims around the world kept asking, "Why all the fuss?" I'll try to shed light on the question from my experience.

It's really quite simple.  It comes down to the excellent exemplar principle contained in Surah 33:21 of the Quran.  Muslims are taught that it is an act of faithfulness and righteousness to honor the Prophet Mohammad by following his example.  It is seen as a way to please Allah and gain his favor.  So, the question becomes, "How did Mohammad react to criticism, insults, or rejection?"

The answer is found in the sacred writings of Islam such as the Quran and Hadith.  As the prophet was beginning to share his revelations received from the angel Gabriel while he was in the caves of Mount Hira, he discovered that the people of his hometown of Mecca were not very impressed.  Most of the town was turned off by his revelations.  The rejection was so intense that only the influence of his prominent uncle and wife saved his life.  When they passed away, he had to flee the city for Medina where he found a better reception.  But, the positive reception was due mainly to his political skills at mending strife between various factions in the town.  He put together a following of fighters that attacked and looted caravans out of Mecca. He built a financial, political, and military base with his new source of revenue.  His revelations met with mixed responses. 

He wanted to reach out to the Jewish population in Medina.  But, when they compared his revelations to their sacred writings, they rejected what they viewed as his flawed teachings.  Their rejection including mockery.  He became furious.  At one time he was positive about the Jews as is revealed in early verses in the Quran.  But, when the Jews rejected his teachings and mocked him, things turned ugly.  In 627 A.D., when he saw an opportunity to blame the Jews for siding with Mecca, he lined up 800 Jewish men beside a large ditch and beheaded each one.  It took all day and most of the night.  But, he finally killed them all.  Many wonder why Muslims are so anti-Jewish.  It's because of the excellent exemplar principle.  The hatred the Prophet developed over time is copied by his followers.

Mohammad reacted to the rejections of most of the city of Mecca by leading his forces against the city.  He led various raids, but a victory in 624 A.D. at Badr gave him confidence to continue until he entered Mecca victoriously and began to exact revenge.  Poets who had written lyrics that he saw as insults were targets.  It made no difference if they were male or female.  They were executed.  It became a capital offense to compose lyrics against the prophet when he took Mecca.  Hadith 9:50 records Mohammad as saying, "No Muslim should be killed for killing a Kafir (unbeliever or infidel)".  Why do Muslims treat unbelievers, those who have left Islam for other faiths, and those who insult Mohammad with so much hostility?   It's the excellent exemplar principle.

March 26, 2009, the Muslims on the Human Rights Council of the U.N. proposed a law to forbid criticism of religion.  The only religion specifically mentioned was Islam.  The obvious reason was to forbid anyone in the world from insulting the Prophet.  So much for free speech.  At the latest meeting of the U.N., the same subject came up again.  It will continually come up until the world capitulates.  Think through the consequences of such a rule.  Never again could there be a reasonable discussion of any religion. 

I hope this explanation helps you to understand the situation we are in presently.