Islamic Wisdom (17): Selective Outrage: The Hypocrisy of Justice in a World of Double Standards
The Quran is the eternal word of Allah, free from falsehood and filled with divine wisdom. Its treasures of guidance and knowledge are inexhaustible, offering believers insight and direction across all times and circumstances. Today, we explore a profound lesson from the Quran, one that is especially relevant in an era dominated by deceit, manipulation, and the normalization of falsehood—often propagated by those in power and their allies.
This article examines how the Quran responds to mistakes made by Muslims and simultaneously refutes the scheming of adversaries who seek to exploit those errors. The Quran teaches us to acknowledge our faults courageously while turning the tables on falsehood, ensuring that it does not become a weapon against truth or a means to mislead others.
Example 1: The Expedition of Abdullah ibn Jahsh
During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, a group of Muslims misunderstood his instructions during a reconnaissance mission. The Prophet ﷺ sent Abdullah ibn Jahsh and a small team south of Medina with no intention of engaging in combat. However, fearing that a Qurayshi caravan would escape into Mecca, they attacked it, killing its leader and capturing two prisoners. Unfortunately, this incident occurred during the sacred month of Rajab, when fighting was strictly prohibited.
The Prophet ﷺ was displeased and reprimanded them, saying, "I did not command you to fight during the sacred months." Meanwhile, the Quraysh seized the opportunity to launch a smear campaign against the Muslims, accusing them of violating sacred traditions. This created a widespread uproar among the Arab tribes, painting the Muslims as violators of divine sanctity.
The Quran addressed the situation with remarkable balance and wisdom. It first acknowledged the wrongdoing of the Muslims:
"They ask you about fighting in the sacred month. Say, ‘Fighting therein is a grave sin.’" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:217)
However, the verse did not stop there. It immediately shifted the focus to the greater injustices perpetrated by the Quraysh:
"...But hindering people from the path of Allah, disbelief in Him, preventing access to the Sacred Mosque, and expelling its people from it are greater sins in the sight of Allah. And persecution is worse than killing."
The Quran’s response did not deny the Muslims’ error but placed it in perspective, exposing the hypocrisy of the Quraysh. They were guilty of far graver offenses—expelling Muslims from their homes in Mecca, barring them from worship at the Kaaba, and spreading corruption by persecuting people for their faith. The Quran, thus, turned the accusations against the accusers and upheld the justice of its message.
Example 2: Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh
The story of Prophet Musa عليه السلام and Pharaoh provides another compelling example. When Musa was sent to call Pharaoh to the worship of Allah, Pharaoh attempted to discredit him by bringing up a past incident—an accidental killing Musa had committed years earlier. In front of his court, Pharaoh addressed Musa mockingly:
"And you committed that deed of yours which you did, and you were of the ungrateful." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:19)
Pharaoh cleverly omitted that the incident was unintentional, leaving his audience to imagine the worst and tarnish Musa’s reputation. How did Musa respond?
First, he admitted his error with humility:
"I did it, then, while I was among the misguided." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:20)
But he did not stop there. He countered Pharaoh’s attempt to exploit his mistake by highlighting Pharaoh’s own tyranny:
"So I fled from you when I feared you. Then my Lord granted me wisdom and made me one of the messengers." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:21)
Finally, Musa delivered a powerful rebuke:
"And is this a favor of which you remind me—that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?" (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:22)
Musa not only defended himself but also exposed Pharaoh’s hypocrisy. Pharaoh had oppressed the Children of Israel, enslaving them and killing their male infants—a far greater crime than Musa’s accidental act. By doing so, Musa shattered Pharaoh’s narrative and turned the focus back on his unjust rule.
Lessons for Today
These examples illustrate the Quran’s timeless approach to dealing with falsehood. It teaches us to:
- Acknowledge Mistakes with Integrity: The Quran does not shy away from admitting the errors of Muslims, showing us the importance of accountability.
- Expose the Hypocrisy of Opponents: Falsehood often comes from those guilty of far greater injustices. The Quran redirects attention to their crimes, dismantling their arguments.
- Maintain Perspective: The Quran places events in their proper context, ensuring that no isolated incident can be used to overshadow the broader truth.
Double Standards: A Critique of Global Hypocrisy
This wisdom remains profoundly relevant today. You see America and Europe, along with their allies, watching—indeed, even aiding—Israel as it kills women, children, and the elderly without so much as a blink of an eye. Yet today, their first concern when speaking of Syria is "women's rights." How can they justify asking such a question when they have stood by as thousands of women were killed before the eyes of the entire world?
Comments
Post a Comment