TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED
Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua
African tradition and culture is known for respect for
elders, parents and those whom God has chosen to be legitimate leaders in the
society. Traditionally, African children do not call their parents and elders
by name. These were outward signs of the respect and adoration they owe God. In
the bible, the Old Testament warns: Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of
your people (Exodus 22, 28). It was forbidden to insult or attack a prophet:
“Touch not my anointed and to my prophet, do no harm” (Psalm 105, 15). The Lord
said to Moses: “If anyone curses God, he will be held responsible; anyone who
blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire assembly must
stone him; whether an alien or native born, when he blasphemes, he must be put
to death’’ (Leviticus 24, 13-16). This law empowered Jezebel to falsely accuse
Naboth of cursing God and the king (1 King 21, 13) for refusing to give the
vineyard of his inheritance to King Ahab. She ordered the mob to stone Naboth
to death
The action of Jezebel was condemned by Prophet Elijah. God
himself avenged by letting Ahab and Jezebel die in battle. Today, the modern
generation condemns any act of killing in God’s name. Even though Jesus came to
fulfil the law and the prophets (Matthew 5, 17), he preferred to die for the
sins of the people. The Torah (the law revealed to Moses) is filled with
specific punishments for specific sins, but the death of Christ on the cross
satisfies the divine wrath that is directed at our sins. Jesus was falsely
accused of blasphemy by the teachers of the law when he told the paralytic “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2,
5). For them only God can
forgive sins. Jesus healed the paralytic to define his real and true
identity. Jesus was also falsely accused of blasphemy during his trial for
accepting that he is “the Christ, the
Son of God” (Mathew 26, 63-65; John 10, 33-42). The Roman government
could not kill Jesus on the evidence of blasphemy against God. The only reason
that could convince Pilate was Jesus’ affirmation that his kingdom is not of
this world and that he is a king. Even at that, Pilate washed his hands as a
sign of his innocence about the blood of Jesus. The Jews ended up cursing
themselves when they said, “let his blood be upon us and our children” (Matthew 27:15-26). Jesus did not order
his disciples to kill those who insulted and killed him. Even while he was
dying with serious pains, he prayed for his executioners: “Forgive them father,
for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23, 34). The attitude of Jesus
towards those who cursed and killed him was an example for all who would be his
disciples and followers. He thus ushered in a new age that must reject
viciousness and violence because God is powerful enough to defend himself. Paul and Timothy did not order the execution
of Hymenaeus, Alexander and Philetus who blasphemed and led some Church members
astray (2 Timothy 2, 17-18).
The Muslims believe that God always plans better so we
should allow God to decide the fate of those who insult the prophets of God.
However, since the killing of the US Ambassador
Christopher Stevens and three
other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on September 12, 2012, the print and
electronic media is filled with comments about Islam. Some think that the
action is in line with the teaching of Islam while others think that killing of
innocent people for the crime committed by someone else is not right. Some
people have even gone to the extent of thinking that Islam is a violent
religion. These comments call on Muslims
and those who love Islam to politely present the stand of the Qur’an on issues
like this.
Islam teaches that God punishes those who curse the
prophets and desecrate places of worship: “Yet it is just that he should punish
them; for they have debarred others from the Sacred Mosque, although they have
no right to be its guardians” (Qur’an 8:34).
Muslims are requested to allow God to judge and not be tempted to take
laws into their hands: “Do not allow your hatred for those who would debar you
from the Holy Mosque lead you into sin. Help one another in what is good and
pious, not in what is wicked and sinful. Have fear of Allah for he is stern in
retribution” (Qur’an 5:2).
Muslims believe that after the Battle of Uhud in 625, God
revealed to Prophet, Muhammad that he would be tested and that he should be
patient with those who test him: “You shall be bereaved of your possessions and
dear ones and be subjected to the insults of the pagans and of those to whom
the scriptures were given before you. But if you endure with fortitude and
guard yourselves against evil, you shall surely triumph” (Qur’an 3:186). The
root of the word ‘hurtful’ in Arabic is (aa-dh-aa). This can be translated as
‘annoy’ and ‘insult.’ The word
(aa-dh-aa) signifies a slight evil or anything causing a slight harm’. [1]
Allah tells his prophet that he has to take the insults and not retaliate.
Allah reveals that if he is patient, then he will find a great strength.
After the Battle of the Trench in
627, Muhammad’s power increased in Medina. This is reflected in Sura 33 that
shows Muhammad to be very powerful. Yet the Qur’an says: “Those who insult God
and His Messenger will be rejected by God in this world and in the next. He has
prepared a humiliating punishment for them” (Qur’an 33:57). “Those who
undeservedly insult believing men and women will bear the guilt of slander and
obvious sin” (Qur’an 33:58). “An
agonizing torment awaits those who insult God’s Messenger” (Qur’an 9: 63). All these are indications that any form of
violence in places of worship and on persons who know nothing about those who
insult God and the prophet like the case of the cartoon that was published on
September 17, 2005 in the Danish newspaper of Denmark is not acceptable to God.
The reaction to this Cartoon in far away Denmark claimed many lives in Nigeria.
Is this the true teaching of Islam?
News Express reported on September 9, 2012 that the man
who made the controversial film that ridiculed Prophet Muhammad is Nakoula
Basseley who is 55 years old. He has
sent a passionate appeal to American security seeking protection following
death threats he received after the release of the film’s trailer sparked riots
on Tuesday (September 11, 2012) in Libya and Egypt before spreading to about a
dozen countries. ABC News reported that Nakoula is “scared to death”. News Express reports that at least
ten people have lost their lives in the protests trailing Nakoula’s film, among
them the US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other diplomats
during an attack on the American mission in Benghazi, Libya.
The adherents of the revealed
religions need to do something urgent to redeem the image of religion that is
presently going through trial and challenges because of the ways and manner the
scriptures have been misinterpreted and manipulated to the whims and caprices
of some fanatics. Religion is being accused of the cause of violence in the
world and many people think that the world will be a better place without
religion. We really need to ask ourselves again if a good God can really permit
his followers to kill innocent people and destroy properties in his name. In
the case of the recent insult on Islam, the offender should be prosecuted and
not the innocent people. Some Muslims say that this is not against the teaching
of Islam that is synonymous to peace, compassion and mercy.
Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and
Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja; and Consultor of the
Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City
(comonokhua@hotmail.com).
[1] Abdul Mannan Omar (Ed), ”Dictionary
of the Holy Qur’an, (Published by Noor Foundation, 2003), P.
No comments:
Post a Comment