13 Mar 2021
By: USTAZ DR MOHAMED ALI

Parents and strong family institutions’ role is an effective mechanism in providing long-term protection and immunity in eradicating the prolonged threat of radicalization.

The news of a 20 -year-old teenager wanting to commit attacks on the Jewish community in their synagogue again attracted the Singaporean community’s attention.

Earlier, the Singaporean community was shocked by the news of a 16-year-old Christian teenager who wanted to carry out a violent attack on two local mosques. The two youths are currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and subject to a Detention Order (DO).

The teenager was found planning to carry out an attack with a knife at the Maghain Aboth Synagogue at Waterloo Street after a mass worship session.
He was driven by hatred and anger over the oppression of Muslims in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In addition to planning an attack, he also has plans to join the military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (AQB) in Gaza, Palestine, to oppose Israel.

The anger and hatred that erupted in this teenager have resulted in him planning violent acts. The trend of youths becoming radical by themselves is on the rise. Online radicalization among youths is now a major challenge to be faced.

PSYCHOLOGY OF YOUTHS

Understanding youths’ psychology is the first step that must be taken to deal with the problem of radicalization among youths.

Adolescence is the age where individuals have a deep desire to try new things. At this age, youths are more energetic and often idealistic to change their environment and world.

If handled well, such an attitude can bring various benefits, but on the other hand, if not fortified or monitored, it can lead to negative things and damage.

Among the attitudes that are often found in youth is the attitude of taking risks. This attitude, mixed with the attitude of wanting to try something new, can fuel the desire to try what they see on the internet or social media.

Without proper guidance, teens can violate social and moral ethics. For example, an attempt to make explosives or an attempt to kill with a weapon such as a knife is a result from having the wrong attitude and ethics.

IDENTITY OF YOUTH

There is no denying that identity is something that youths often explore today. Finding an identity means that a teenager wants to be seen as part of a meaningful group.

On top of that, youths today often find themselves in a dilemma when faced with multiple identities. For example, their identities as Singaporeans and also as Muslims at the same time are often felt to be contradictory.

Many youths feel their identity is threatened by the elements that exist around
them. They also feel that other people’s identities conflict with their religious
principles.

If his search for identity collides with social media elements that give him space to defend the dignity or interests of Muslims, he may be influenced to do so.

For such youths, what can be done is to channel their desire to defend this in an appropriate container for example, by donating to humanitarian missions organized by self-help organizations.

CULTURE OF EXTREMISM AND HATRED

Youths who become so radical on their own that they are willing to plan violent acts, have been influenced by a rigid culture and ideology of hatred. Such cultures and ideologies can lead to damage and instability.

Hate can be seen as natural in human beings. Naturally, human being likes one thing and hates another. However, a person should not be cruel or act inappropriately based on his hatred.

Likewise, those who act violently by killing and carrying out bombings all choose a very dangerous ideology of hatred. This ideology is proven to be deadly and severe.

This extremist culture and hate ideology have gripped the world today. Many wars, conflicts, murders and shifts involving human beings are rooted in hardline culture and ideology of hatred.
Hence, our children should be fortified from rigid cultures and hateful ideologies that can lead to violent attitudes and acts.

The trick is through the involvement of parents and immediate family members. They are the first line of defence in protecting children from falling into the trap of radical ideology.

THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY

The institution of the family plays an essential role in efforts to combat radicalization and terrorism.

Families are in a good position to preserve an environment that condemns extremist ideologies or supports terrorist activities.

First, families must educate their children with teachings and values that encourage tolerance, inclusion and build good relationships with others regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

Before children are allowed to enter the internet world, parents should also actively educate them about the online world’s dangers.

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE
Secondly, parents should be good role models and ambassadors of kindness and love to those around them. A good and practical way to do this is to set an example of their kind treatment of fellow neighbours.
For example, when children see their parents sharing food or interacting positively with neighbours regardless of their status and beliefs, they subconsciously accept the signal as an example.
Parents should also be exemplary in abiding by the house rules they set with their children regarding the use of technological devices such as the internet and mobile phones.

Third, parents need to involve their children fully, even when they are young. They can create opportunities for relaxed conversations with their children. In this conversation, parents can include once a discussion about the importance of appreciating every human being.

ATTENTION FOR YOUTHS

The world today is moving fast. Parents and their children need to be empowered to embrace the future confidently while understanding the challenges and dealing with them well.

A strong family institution is an effective mechanism in providing long-term protection and immunity in eradicating the threat of radicalization.

The issue of youths becoming radical seems to continue to grip our society. This radical ideology covered by this extremist and hateful culture needs to be addressed with full attention and taken seriously by every member of the community.

Extremist and hateful cultures that can lead to violent actions should be kept away altogether from our children. If this fails to be done, it can have a significant impact on the harmony of society and the country. Let us continue to play a role and increase our awareness.

The attitude of being complacent and feeling that the threat of this radical ideology has subsided and is not serious is a misconception. Remember the Malay proverb that reminds us that “air yang tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya” (Don’t assume that still waters hold no crocodiles).

Source: Berita Mediacorp Singapore, 13 Mar 21

https://berita.mediacorp.sg/mobilem/commentary/komentar-bentengilah-anak-anak-daripada-budaya-tegar-benci-dan/4584208.html

Being mocked, insulted, and provoked is nothing new thing for the noble Prophet Muhammad.

Rasulullah responded to this insult and provocation by extending love, forgiveness, and kindness. This is the noble character of Rasulullah, regardless of when he is weak or when he is in power.

How should we honour and glorify the Prophet Muhammad in the face of a provocation?
If our beloved Rasulullah is with us at this time, how would Rasulullah react to the taunts, ridicule, scorn, and provocation against him?

Did Rasulullah act violently against those who mocked, ridiculed, and provoked anger? It is hard to speak on behalf of the noble Prophet, as he is too noble.

Reflecting upon the Prophet’s life history and the events in his life, I try to get inspiration and lessons from the noble life of Rasulullah.

PRAYING FOR HIS PEOPLE

Rasulullah was ridiculed and provoked more than what is happening today. What were his reactions?

Rasulullah did not feel provoked and did not act violently to avenge these insults towards him. On the other hand, Rasulullah responded by extending love, affection, and mercy and offering his prayers, despite being ridiculed and insulted.

The humiliation that Rasulullah received physically and emotionally was far worse than what we see today, which we will never imagine happening what

Rasulullah went through. However, Rasulullah never felt provoked and always reacted wisely with full of love and wisdom.

Can we imagine how the polytheists of Makkah placed faeces, camel intestines, and dirt on the noble shoulders of Rasulullah while he was prostrating in Makkah? Such is a severe abuse that existed during that time.

This incident is narrated in Imam Muslim’s hadith when the Prophet was praying in front of the Kaaba; Abu Jahal and his friends noticed the Prophet praying.

Abu Jahal challenged his friends to throw the faeces and intestines of camels on the Prophet’s noble shoulders while he was prostrating. Some of them followed Abu Jahal’s instructions. They also laughed at Rasulullah and challenged each other.

Rasulullah continued to prostrate and did not raise his head until his daughter, Fatimah, came crying sadly to see how his father was treated like that. Fatimah lifted the excrement from the shoulders of the Prophet. He did not retaliate harshly. Rasulullah only prayed to Allah.

EDUCATE PATIENCE

On another occasion, the Prophet was insulted and being called names.

One day, Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jamil, followed Rasulullah because she wanted to embarrass him. Umm, Jamil insulted and called Rasulullah “mudhammam,” i.e. a person who is despised and reviled in public, in front of Rasulullah’s companions.

The Prophet did not reply or retaliate. He calmed down and advised his friends not to feel provoked.

Rasulullah said to his companions calmly and confidently, “Do you not see how Allah turned me away from the insults and humiliation of Quraish?

They insulted and called me ‘mudhammam’ while I was Muhammad (the praiseworthy)”.

The Prophet did not feel provoked. The insult does not change the fact that he is a praiseworthy and noble human being. He taught his close friend Abu Bakr patience when insulted and ridiculed.

Abu Hurairah narrated the incident where Abu Bakr was rebuked and humiliated by a man. The Prophet watched that Abu Bakr did not answer the man’s taunts and insults, and the former was amazed and smiled.

Then, faced with constant ridicule, Abu Bakr replied and protested with the man. Witnessing this, Rasulullah was angry and turned away.

Abu Bakr then followed the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, when he rebuked me, you sat down. But when I answered and contradicted some of his words, you stood up and became angry.

The Prophet then said,” Indeed, when you do not dispute, there are angels with you who answered and defended you. But when you retaliate and protest, the devil comes. And I don’t want to sit with the devil.”

Rasulullah then instructed Abu Bakr, “O Abu Bakr; there are three things that are the right of a servant.

When a servant is oppressed, he leaves it to Allah, and Allah will give him victory.

Second, a servant opens the door of his generosity to connect human relationships, and Allah will bestow wealth on him.

Third, a servant cannot expect an abundance of wealth unless Allah grants it.”

Such is the personality of the Prophet. He was not only physically insulted but emotionally mocked.

ENEMIES BECOME FRIENDS

The glory and self-esteem of Rasulullah are not pawned by this provocation, abomination, and insult. Of course, Rasulullah was saddened by all these abominations and insults.

But Rasulullah’s grief was not for him, but his people and mankind, for those who insulted him. Because they have not yet seen the truth, they have not been given guidance.

That is why Rasulullah prayed for them. Rasulullah did not give up praying and hoped that they would see the truth one day, and he remained optimistic and confident.

Among those who repeatedly insulted and insulted Rasulullah was Abu Jahal, Rasulullah’s strong enemy. Despite insulting and doing various things to Rasulullah, his family and friends, Rasulullah still prayed and hoped to Allah that Abu Jahal would be given guidance. The Prophet prayed: “O Allah! You glorify Islam with one of the two Umar, namely Umar ibn al-Khattab or ‘Amru ibn Hisham (the name of Abu Jahal)”.

Allah then gave guidance to Umar Ibn al-Khattab, who was also among those who insulted Allah’s Messenger and wanted to hurt the Prophet. Umar went to the house of Arqam ibn al-Arqam to kill the Prophet. But instead, Umar embraced Islam when he heard the revelations of Allah.

This is the vision, faith, and belief of the Prophet. He believed that there were still elements of goodness in everyone, and there is still hope for everyone. The insults, blasphemies and scorn hurled by these people are driven by ignorance and arrogance. But this trait is not “permanent or natural” in a person.

These qualities are born because of certain life experiences. The “noble nature” is still inherent in every person. And let us not despair the potential of these noble qualities, no matter how evil a person may be.

Among those who were evil and oppressive in the age during the Prophet’s time later became the Prophet’s companions.

Some may argue that the Prophet acted passively or did not respond violently because he and his companions were weak at the time, and the Prophet was not able to avenge this cruelty. Is this claim true?

The Prophets noble character remains intact when the Prophet and the Muslims became strong and powerful. Is it true that Rasulullah’s passive attitude was due to his weakness? Or because of his mercy and love to his people and mankind? If only al-Habib, our beloved Rasulullah, was with us today.

• The author is the Deputy Mufti of Singapore