The Islamic Center of Peoria, as a representative organization of Muslims in the Peoria area, openly and unequivocally condemns the recent killing of one of our fellow citizens, Mr. George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Islam forbids all acts of oppression, especially the killing of an innocent person:
﴿أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا﴾
“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.” [Quran 5:32]
The murder of any person is unacceptable, no matter who commits the act.
The Islamic Center of Peoria reminds our congregants, and all people of genuine reflection, during these times of tragedy (not only in the U.S., but across the world) of the real cure for social injustice, oppression, racism, and all other cancers afflicting society: the religion of Islam.
Islam, as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Mercy be upon him) and his Noble Companions, brings people together across racial, ethnic, economic and social divides. This was demonstrated centuries ago (632 A.D.).
When we receive the message of the Prophets of our Lord and come together to fulfill our true purpose in life, which is to unify around the singular worship of God, the lines that divide us as a human race truly disappear.
﴿إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ﴾
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression; He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” [Quran 16:90]
The Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Mercy be upon him) said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.”
Apprehension, mistrust, hatred, and animosity are replaced by brotherly love and genuine concern for one another, all under the worship of the one singular Creator, and no one else, the only One in whose Hand alone is the sovereign Lordship of the entire creation.
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ﴾
“And remember the Favor of Allah upon you, when you were enemies to one another, and then He brought your hearts together, so that you became brothers. After you had been right at the brink of a pit of Fire, He saved you from that. Such is how Allah clarifies His Signs for you, in order for you to be rightly guided.” [Quran 3:103]
The Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Mercy be upon him) said: “Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
Islam teaches us to be people of restraint. We must carefully consider how we respond to every challenge in this life. Our actions must be refined and in line with the teachings of our religion, as we will stand before our Lord and will be questioned about our actions. Rioting and destroying property is an evil that does not solve problems. Attacking innocent people in retribution for an unjust act is oppression upon oppression.
Our pathway to reformation is a proven and successful one. However, it requires patience and hard work. We must rectify ourselves through education and purification, starting with ourselves and our families, then our neighbors, close relatives and those who we know. As we build ourselves and our communities, upon the two solid foundations of authentic knowledge and sincere practice, only then will we deserve the honor and distinction that we seek, as true worshipers of the one God of all mankind, Allah.