In this era criticism is at its peak. Our hearts get broken when someone criticises us, and we lose hope and fall in tears in a secret place. We feel shattered and poignant; we lose hope in our lives and defy chasing our dreams; we feel alone in the world and want to flee from it, detesting ourselves deeply even in the crowd of stars. Criticism is inevitable and part of life and is common to all. When we deny it, it gives us the power to wrestle with the doldrums. It gives vitality and rigidity. It is well articulated by a poet: “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” Frank A. Clark. Remember, some storms come to clear your desolated path; they come and skedaddle away and leave a spring environment. Storms don’t last forever; we must be strong. To reach the moon, we have to face hardships like crtisism, taunts, backbitings, and whatnot. One thing we must do is be honest and loyal to our lives. A person facing criticism should consider it a blessing for me; they are boosting me and guiding me towards my destination. Who is doing this? Let them say and let them do it; it won’t impact you. When we take it seriously, we get far away from our goals, which impacts our mental health and causes depression and anxiety, in which we feel down and our dreams become dead and pale. Let me be clear: no prophet was exposed to as much criticism as Prophet Muhammad was. Since his prophethood, Prophet Muhammad has encountered all kinds of antagonism and resettlements from his opponents. Wrong perceptions and misinformation are still being deliberately spread about his life and mission. Many people have wrongly perceived him and his mission. But he conquered and won the battle. So have faith; nothing lasts forever, as time is fleeting, and in Surah Asar Allah says, Indeed, with difficulty and constraint come ease and options. Everything fades away. When you become strong and put your trust in Him, Don’t contemplate people, will they revere me or not? Glide yourself and let them brush aside their bark and thunder. Eventually light comes our way and comes out of us from this darkness, and we find our lost destiny and dance in glee. If we analyze the situation, no one has the right to disrespect anyone to such an extent that the entire community suffers. Every religion in the world emphasizes that no religious leader should be disrespected. It is not right or legitimate. The most insulting treatment has been meted out to the Holy Prophet, who deserves the most honor because he did the most work in the way of this religion, people, and Allah. He emphasized that we should not speak to anyone, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, in a way that hurts their heart or religion. There are numerous examples before our eyes, such as a boy publicly burning the Holy Quran in Sweden, a boy from NIT Srinagar, and a man named Sushant Mehta a sports journalist making obscene remarks about the Holy Prophet on National television. By following the words of the Holy Prophet, none of his followers make fun of any other religion or it’s leaders, nor desecrate it, or allow anyone else to do so. Like people on social media made Sushant Mehta to apologize on air for what they have done the next day. Desecration does not happen only at the hands of non-Muslims. It also happens at the hands of all those Muslim brothers and sisters who call themselves Muslims but do not do any such act that proves them the follower of the Holy Prophet. The thing called humanity has disappeared from our lives to such an extent that we cannot even distinguish right from wrong. No law in the world allows us to defame any religion or religious followers or religious personality.
Section 295A of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(IPC)
Article 18 of UDHR (1948, UN General assembly)
Article 18 of UIDHR (1981, Islamic council)
People on social media made Sushant Mehta to apologize on air for what they have done the next day. Desecration does not happen only at the hands of non-Muslims. It also happens at the hands of all those Muslim brothers and sisters who call themselves Muslims but do not do any such act that proves them the follower of the Holy Prophet
Measures to overcome:
1: Education: Education should be provided irrespective of religious differences, and the importance of respecting religious leaders and their contributions to society should be emphasized. This can be achieved through religious institutions and community programs.
2: Interfaith Dialogue: Encouraging interfaith dialogue between different religious groups can lead to a greater understanding of other religions and their leaders.
3: Media Responsibility: The media has a significant role to play in its coverage of religious leaders. Journalists should strive to present a balanced and accurate image of each religion and its leaders, avoiding sensationalism or demeaning language. Social media nowadays is a biggest weapon to use for true means.
4: Leadership by Example: Religious leaders have a responsibility to lead by example and promote interfaith dialogue, respect, and understanding on a humanitarian basis. They should avoid making derogatory comments about other religions, which will set an example for the youth to follow.
5: Community Involvement: Community involvement plays a crucial role in shaping the behavior of the youth regarding demeaning or respecting religious personalities or leaders of any religion. Acts in a community as a whole can influence the behavior of the youth towards these issues.
6: Legal Action: In cases where demeaning behavior towards religious leaders becomes severe or criminal, legal action should be taken to protect the rights of religious leaders and promote justice and equality for all. This can serve as a deterrent for others who may be considering similar behavior towards religious leaders or members of their communities.
(The authors are freelancers having deeper interests in writing on social issues. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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