An open letter to all Muslim brothers and sisters

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As-Salam AlaiKum (may peace be upon you). As most of you are aware, a Florida Pastor named Terry Jones has called for burning the holy book of Islam, the Quran on September 11^th 2010. Even though several Americans including prominent leaders of US have condemned the announcement of the Pastor, however the constitution of US grants the right to Terry Jones to carry out this extremist act. Understandably, this is causing a lot of anger among Muslims across the world and already triggered violent protests in some parts of Afghanistan.

I am neither an expert in Islamic studies nor a representative of any group. But as a practicing Muslim I would like to share some of my thoughts. When I was a little kid, my father told me about an incident in Islamic History that narrates the power of the Holy Quran and the will of Allah. I humbly would like to share it. Umar (Razi’Allah-O-Taalah’Anhu), before converting to Islam was severely against Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) and his teachings. His hostility reached to an extent that he decided to murder Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) and end Islam. On his way to kill Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H), Umar found that his sister and brother-in-law had converted to Islam. He reaches the house of his sister and starts arguing on why they have converted to Islam. His sister points Umar to the verses of Ta Ha, the 20^th chapter of Holy Quran and pleads him to read it once. Reluctantly Umar reads the verses and instantly his heart goes through a revolution. On the very same day, Umar meets Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) and accepts Islam. Here was a person, who was on his way to murder Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) and end Islam but his heart changed by reading the verses of Quran and Allah granted him wisdom. He went on to become a very dear friend of Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) and contributed highly towards spreading Islam. This is the power of Holy Quran and the will of Allah. Allah states in Holy Quran Chapter no. 2, verse no. 269 “He (Allah) gives wisdom unto whom He will, and He unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding”.

So, when a Pastor decides to burn the copies of Holy Quran, our duty as Muslims is pray to Allah to grant the Pastor with wisdom and bring a revolution in his heart. He has already purchased hundreds of copies of Holy Quran to burn. The only thing required is, he opens a copy of Holy Quran and read it. And if Allah decides to grant him wisdom, there would be a revolution in his heart. My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, I call upon you to pray to Allah for granting wisdom and bringing a revolution in the heart of Pastor Terry Jones. This is the best thing we can do.

Also, let me remind you, Allah has promised to protect Holy Quran. In Chapter 15, verse 9, Allah says ‘We have sent down the Reminder [Quran], and We will preserve it’. So, let there be no doubt in your mind, even if every copy of Holy Quran on the planet Earth is burnt by infidels, the Holy Quran would still be preserved by Allah.

May Allah grant us all with wisdom.

Regards,

Mohammed Abubakr,

Hyderabad India.