A Guide on how to accept criticism as a Muslim

Those who hastened to scapegoat and blame Muslims and Islam for ISIS and Boko Haram terror attacks are ignorant of the religion. I can’t understand why people who have never so much as read a book about a subject appoint themselves experts on the religion.

Boko Haram and The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is not Islamic at all because its militants are committing massacres and atrocities against innocent Muslims and non-Muslims. They act against Islam which teaches the respect and the sanctity of the human life.

Having said that, Muslims as usual are always at the recieving end of all this. So in this vein, here are some points to bear in mind while dealing with criticisms of the religion.

Be gentle: Do not insult the person who is criticising you, As advised by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or else keep silent.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhaari (6018) and Muslim (47)].

If you cant offer any explanation, Just keep mute and move on. Avoid making unnecessary personal remarks. Instead, use kind and gentle words to communicate with the other person. Allah says in the Noble Qur’an: “And speak to people good [words].” [Qur’an 2:83]

Be precise and concise: As a rule of thumb, point out the mistakes with the criticism specifically and be concise as the person receiving it would respond more positively than to a vague criticism. If you really want the other person to learn, then kindly show him/her exactly how beautiful Islam is.

Du’aa: Ask Allah to help you to avoid getting angry, sad, suspicious and/or arrogant. Allah says in the Noble Qur’an: “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous, who spend during ease and hardship and _who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.”_ [Qur’an 3:134].

Furthermore, He says: “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption.” [Qur’an 49:12]. To avoid these emotions entering your heart you should seek His Help. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No one who has an atom’s-weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” [Narrated by Muslim (91)].

Hold good opinion of others: At times we may ask: why should one spend their precious time and effort into pointing out your mistakes/ criticising you? Perhaps they are just curious and they really want to learn! That is how we should think of people who point our mistakes.

Room for improvement: Utilize criticism to improve yourself and see it as a gift that you can use. Criticism is an opportunity for you to examine your flaws and learn something in the process. In fact, from then on you can ensure that you behave accordingly so that people could see that Terrorism is not part of the religion

Self-confidence: If you think the criticism is unjustified and not constructive, then leave it aside. There is no need to react negatively if you are confident that the criticism was only meant to insult and ridicule.

Disclaimer: I usually don't reply people who go on and on about Islam is terrorism. I am tired of people saying that Muslims are terrorists just because of the actions of a few who we are not even sure that they are Muslims. The very idea that anyone who identifies with Islam must speak out and condemn acts so reprehensible is absurd. It can even be dangerous.

No serious journalist would ask a random mad man walking on the street to explain the pathology of mad men turned kidnappers and ritualists because of the coincidence of shared madness and behavioural patterns. But serious journalists call on ordinary Muslim to explain the behaviour of homicidal maniacs and extremists, thereby making a link between the crazies and the mainstream community. Which is very sad.

To be very honest, no Muslim understands what motivates terrorists simply because they call themselves Muslims. In fact, I don’t consider them to be true Muslims. They have nothing to do with me or my religion as I understand it. So why should I have to explain them?

Also, do you think Muslims deserve the hate they are getting from people and the media. Take the poll below.