Question:
He says that in many non-Muslim countries, many people are beginning to claim that Islam is a religion that does not suit their countries, and because of that they are beginning to attack and say that Muslims should not be allowed there.
So, he asks: How should we deal with this anger and hostility that is being directed against Muslims in non-Muslim countries?
Answer:
These kinds of matters must be handled with situational wisdom. There are countless kinds of problems you may encounter. For every single problem, it is not possible to give a fixed instruction saying, “you must do this” or “you must do that.” You yourselves must think and decide.
Now, in non-Muslim countries, what is happening is that many people are beginning to hate Islam and they are saying that Muslims should be expelled from those countries. A movement has started among some groups calling for Muslims to be expelled. Particularly in places like London, large groups have gathered and held protests.
Why are they doing this? They say that too many Muslims have come from foreign countries and have entered their country. They say those people must be expelled. But instead of openly saying “expel Muslims,” they cover it with another phrase and say, “expel foreigners.” Under that cover they stir up racial feelings and provoke people.
If such agitation is being created, then you must act with wisdom according to the situation. One single person cannot decide what must be done in such matters.
Therefore, all the Muslims who are affected by such situations must come together in that place. They must gather together and hold consultations. They must collectively discuss and arrive at a decision together.
If I simply say something here, will people there automatically follow it? That cannot happen. It is not possible. Because only those who face the situation directly can decide what should be done. No outsider can prescribe a single method for every circumstance.
So, if hatred exists and they are asking Muslims to leave, what should be done to prevent that? What political actions should be taken? What steps should be taken?
You must go and meet political leaders. Whoever is influential in shaping such opinions, you must go and meet them and speak with them. You must explain to them: “What wrong have we actually done?”
You must explain whether our presence in this country has brought benefit or harm. You must explain that we did not come illegally, but that we came according to the law.
But such efforts cannot be done by a single person acting alone.
The first thing that is required in such places where Muslims are affected is coordination among Muslims themselves, especially among Muslims who have come from foreign countries. The first step is to create unity among them.
First, they must understand that this is a real problem. They must gather everyone and say: “There is a problem. How should we respond?” If everyone moves toward the same decision, a solution will emerge. But if one person says one thing, another person says something else, and another says something different, then there will be no solution.
Therefore, the proper method is that they should unite and conduct collective consultation (shura). Only through such consultation can a solution be reached.