What Does Islam Say about Hate Crimes?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
What does Islam say about hate crimes? Does Islam promote hate crime in order to destroy other ethnic groups? If no, then what solutions Islam has to bring an end to this inhuman behavior? Can you provide some relevant references?
I have watched a horrible Facebook video (Hindus torturing a Muslim and the people were just watching instead of helping) and I was just wondering what if Islam would condone Muslims torturing other non-Muslims in the name of Allah). I have been impacted and bothered considerably, and I want to know the Islamic perspective.
Answer
Thank you for your question. Islam would never condone any kind of hate crime such as the one you describe. This is violence, terrorism, bigotry, and racism, and no Muslim is permitted to commit such a thing, nor is it permissible for people to watch this clobbering and not stop it.
I must ask you to never watch such a video again. Its effects are long-lasting and it does not benefit you. Imam al-Ghazali said that the sole windows to the heart are the eyes and ears and they must be fiercely guarded against letting any corruption or darkness in.
If you are desperate to know what is happening in the world, just read an article and never click on a forwarded video or a video on Facebook. Everyone’s soul is sacred and it is not right to expose oneself to such inhumane violence that disturbs one. Instead write a letter to an authority, sign a petition, or give charity. These things help. Watching videos does not.
May Allah give you success and happiness and give you the best of both worlds.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied Aqidah, Fiqh, Tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied Fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
