Question
The question needs to be asked following the events of the recent weeks and months- Will the Islam community leaders preach a speech of peace and understanding as is in the religion or will they preach of war and bloodshed out of revenge for those who transgress against them.
Answer
The question you have asked goes far deeper than the words they are enshrouded in. As a matter of fact I believe you have hit the very nerve of frustration amongst many Muslims who would like to see their so-called “leaders” voice the opinion of Islam and not their own. Your question delves deep into the discouragement felt by those who are truly trying to live in accordance with their religion and those who pose as if they are in line with their religion. You would appreciate that this is not a phenomena exclusive to Islam but to all faith based systems. However, let us make sure that we distinguish between some classes. There are those who profess to following a certain faith, and to their best ability follow it and understand it correctly. Then there are others who subscribe to certain beliefs but may use it for whatever gains they want to achieve. Those are clearly the deceivers. The other group are those who believe and want to follow correctly but are plagued by misguidance and misunderstanding, due to various factors; their circumstances being a major element. This obviously leads to the conclusion that you have arrived at; that Islam does not promote violence, it promotes peace and understanding and quells the very nature of vengeance and replaces it with patience. Islam only asks a person to fight for a just cause under strict guidelines. If the leaders are speaking in terms of self defense then one cannot fault them for that. The situation is analogous to your person being assailed for whatever reason. The choice must be made whether to fight back or resolve the issue some other way. It really all depends on the circumstances. As a side note, I would like to clarify that Islam has no clergy of any kind and that some of these “leaders” are acting on a political basis not an Islamic one. It’s no different than George W. Bush being a Christian and Ariel Sharon being a Jew. They’ve all used religious rhetoric to get their points across. Since you have not elaborated on the context of the speeches I cannot make specific comments regarding them, only generalizations. These recent weeks and months, and for many it’s been years, great frustration is building due to various factors. It is a situation, ballooning, due to all the negativity being blown into it. Eventually, it will explode. Do some leaders use this frustration for self-benefit? I’m sure. Do some leaders just want to echo the frustration of the masses? I’m sure. However, regardless of the circumstances Muslims are expected to react Islamically, not vengefully.
Finally, I don’t know which speech some of these people will use. But whatever they do say and whatever influence they consequent, they will have to face a Judgment far greater than anything we are able to realize in this world. My point was not to bring you solace, as I have no control over the tongues of men, but to shed light upon the reality of the situation as I see it.
I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.