Muhammad's example that truly faithful follow

If Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) were alive, I am certain he would look at actions of those who kill to honor his name and say, "They are not amongst us."

I am paraphrasing, but that is an expression he used to chide those who did things he disapproved of.

If those who murdered the cartoonists in France would protest by arguing, "but Prophet Muhammad, we love you and your memory is more dear to us than of our own parents, so how can we remain silent, how can we not get angry, when they insult you?", he would say, "Follow my example. Remain calm and do not give in to provocation."

He would point out that the pagans in Mecca constantly humiliated him. He was called insane (majnun), a fabricator of truth (shair), a man who cast spells (kahin).

People would throw garbage on him and spread thorns in his path. Once when a woman who regularly abused him did not show up, he went to her house to make sure she was well.

He would remind the violent misguided Muslims that his unfailing response was patience. Never did he respond in anger.

"If you truly respect me and love me," he would say, "then remain stoic in the face of affront and reach out in kindness to those who insult."

As for anger, he would remind them how he had taught that "strongest among you is the one who would wrestle down his anger."

Anger, he would tell them, is a weakness to be conquered.

The militants who are committing these murders argue, "but Prophet Muhammad, we are only taking revenge for what they are doing to Muslims all over the world." Many others also have used this as a rationale for their violent actions. But Muhammad would urge them to remember his last sermon, when he said, "All revenge from bloodshed during paganism is abolished."

His explicit reason was that revenge is morally evil and counterproductive and leads to an endless cycle of violence. Revenge is not justice.

And as to killing of the innocents, he might remind them the Quran says, "If you kill an innocent, it is as if you have killed all mankind."

He might say freedom of expression is indeed important.

His early followers were inspired from his teachings to stand up for justice and question the highest authority in the land risking their lives.

He might add that the cartoons amount to little more than sophomoric attempts to provoke and violate the right to dignity we all should have. Nevertheless, a violent response to the cartoons, let alone killing, goes against the basic tenets of Islam.

Muslims might be hit by a tidal wave of anti-Muslim sentiment. They should collaborate with non-Muslims who hold truth and justice dear to their hearts.

He would reminisce about the non-Muslim man who took him under his protection when he was returning to Madina from his trip to the city of Taif, a tribal requirement for a person to enter or re-enter a city; his uncle who defended him unwaveringly but never accepted Islam; the pagan guide during his secret migration to the city of Madina; the Jewish rabbi who fought and died with the Muslims in the Uhad skirmish and many others.

Collaboration is my way, he might add.

Lastly, he might shake his head ruefully and say, "I wanted none of my followers to be stricken by extremism and zealotry."

He would add, "I wanted Muslims to be known as a 'middle-of-the-road nation.' "

But he would urge us not to lose hope.

One who has lost hope, he might add, no longer has faith in humanity.

Javeed Akhter, of Oak Brook, is a practicing physician and freelance writer, author of the book "The Seven Phases of Prophet Muhammad's Life."