With all the horrible scenes we see today of Secular Arab Tyrants and Islamic Extremists throughout the Middle East killing innocent people in the thousands, it isn’t surprising that Non-Muslims in the west would believe that the people’s religion might have a role in these atrocities. Especially when you see how many Terrorist organizations in the region are taking advantage of ignorance people and using their faith to further their cause and to garner support for their unquenchable thirst for power.
Yet in this ever changing world, with so many cultures and religions interconnecting and mingling on a day to day bases, it isn’t acceptable that we still find people today that are so quick to form an opinion or reach a conclusion about another faith without having done the proper research. Especially in this day in age where we have quick access to so much knowledge and have a sea of credible information at our fingertips.
So with that said I would like today to cover the ever popular topic of Muslims being permitted to kill women and children. This sadly has become a very common talking point with many Right Wingers and Islamaphobes alike who – for the most part – have essentially reached their conclusions based upon the recent actions of a handful of Muslims, and not the Islamic Texts or the Historic application thereof. Now even though you might get some Senator or Pastor that could quote you a Quranic verse here and there which talkis about “Fighting the Infidels,” rarely will you ever find them presenting a historic example where the Muslims applied their particular interpretation of those verses. That is simply because – for the most part – they do not exist.
Take for instance the oft-parroted phrase that Muslims believe you “Either Gotta Covert to Islam or be Killed!” (usually said with the Southern accent.) Now to the ignorant scared Christian American these people might seem like they know what they are talking about, but for the well informed Muslim, we know very well that these people don’t have any clue what they’re talking about. And just because someone can site a Quranic verse or Hadeeth here and there that doesn’t make them an Islamic Expert, nor makes them qualified to come and make accusations against a faith of 1.7 Billion people. There are 5 year old Muslim children today mind you that can recitethe whole Quran front and back in Arabic. Are we now going to allow them to host conferences about Islam and speak to thousands of police officers and military personnel about the threat of Terrorism?
So now that I have made my point the ridiculousness of the whole Western Islamaphobia fiasco, let me get to the crux of this article. I wanted to present to you a very nice story which happened during the time of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). A story which will help shed light or help refute a very common claim made by Islamaphobes and Extremists Zionists that falsely claim that Muslims are allowed to kill women and children in Islam.
To refute this I wish to share with you the story of the Famous companion Khubaib (ra).
Our story begins in the second year after the prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) migration (which is about 624 CE). At that time a delegation had come to Medina and requested from the prophet (pbuh) to send with them a number of knowledgeable Muslims to teach them about Islam. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gladly obliged, and sent with the delegation 70 of the Most knowledgeable Muslims in Medina. Little did they know though, but the delegation were intending on killing every single one of the sent with them. And so when the Muslims reached an area called “The well of Rajee’,” these criminals decided to carry out their horrible plan. Everyone of the 70 Muslims were killed except for two individuals. One was known as Zaid and there other was the hero of our story Khubaib.
The two prisoners were then taken back to Meccah where they were sold to families o that wished to extract revenge against the Muslims. Khubaib was sold to the Al-Harith tribe, whose leader was killed by Khubaib during the battle of Badr. After purchasing Khubaib, he was then taken and held in one of the houses of the Al-Harith tribe to was as the men make preparations for his execution. Having realized that his death was close at hand, Khubaib asked his captors if they would lend him a razor and allow him to clean himself up before he was to die. One of the daughters of Al-Harith then brought him her razor and left him alone so Khubaib could prepare himself.
After some time had passed the women who had brought Khubaib the razor suddenly noticed her child was missing and began to frantically search him. Then, remembering that the prisoner in the other room had a razor she panicked and went racing up to see if her son was there. As she raced into the room she was stopped in her tracks as she looked in horror at her child that was now sitting happily on the lap of Khubaib while he proceeded to shave. Apparently the child had managed to crawl up the stairs all by himself and entered the room where the prisoner was being held.
As she stood there frozen in terror, Khubaib looked and noticed the woman standing some a distance away. It didn’t take him long to see that the woman was completely distraught and in a panic. And so after realizing what she was thinking, Khubaib quickly reassured her saying:
“Are you afraid that I would actually kill him? By God I would never do such a thing.”
He then let the child return back to his now relieved and grateful mother. Khubaib was to be crucified a short time later, but even after his death that women always spoke highly of him to others saying how he was the most upright prisoner she had every met.
This my friends is the founders of Islam. These were the type of righteous men who stood side by side with the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and through the sheer magnificence of their character lead thousands of people to Islam. They were not petty thieves or people who murdered innocent people out of revenge. They were servants of God and men at service to the people. They fought wars only when it was necessary, and always extended an arm of mercy and peace to those who were willing reciprocate.
Now take that example and compare it to the character of Terrorists we know of today. Imagine if one of those characters you saw on News were in the same situation of Khubaib and ask yourselves, “would they do the same thing?” If not, then you know that those men and the Muslims who lived during the time of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are not one and the same. They are following something completely different than what was being taught to those Muslims at the time of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
It’s time we stop blaming Islam and Muslims for the crimes of a handful of individuals who just so happen to be of the same faith. Every religion, race and people have their criminals and nutcases. Muslims are no different. But know, our History and the forefathers of our religion are the people Muslims exemplify, not these criminals today that have hijacked our faith and stained our reputation.
The source of the story can be found on Page 1128: Volume 2 of “The Noble life of the Prophet” (peace be upon him) by Dr. ‘Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee.
You can download the book free from here: The Noble Life of the Prophet
Or you can purchase the 3 volume set here: Amazon Link
