controversial question. BE WARNED!!!!!

vegangoth

Banned
I know that Muslims take Muhammad very seriously and take Slander of his name very seriously. But I still don't undertand what was so wrong in naming a Teddy bear "Muhammad" I would love it it someone could go over old ground and explain. Also what is more offensive a teddy called "Muhammed" or the fact that a 7/7 bomber was called "Muhammad"? I have seen many demo's calling for the death of the school teacher ( who's bear it was) but none for the bomber.
 

TeenagerMuslim

Junior Member
Before anything else, Peace and Blessings of Allah Azwaj'l upon Prophet's noble soul... He's my role model now, Insha'Allah.

There is nothing wrong with naming a Teddy bear this particular name. That teddy would be blessed in a way, I'd say. No-one can be compared with my Noble Prophet (pbuh). :) That was just some Muslims' misunderstanding or too much emotional nature which lead to such acts I think. By the way, 'Muhammad' is second most famous name for baby boys worldwide!!


"I would love it it someone could go over old ground and explain."
Here's an interesting article it'll give you some insight into it.... But you might miss the spices which typical Media could have added to make it interesting - but far from reality.
A Teddy Bear Named Muhammad

By Arsalan Iftikhar

Date Posted: December 7, 2007

While I was making the global network-television rounds during the Danish cartoon controversy a few years ago, it dawned on me that our human collective was going to continue having international crises every time some backward Muslim knucklehead irrationally reacted to global events somewhere.

Having been asked to explain virtually every kooky action performed by some criminal Muslims worldwide, I saw a new chapter added to the legacy of this sad phenomenon in recent weeks. This time, it was a story about a little teddy bear named Muhammad that lived in the deserts of the African nation of Sudan.

This teddy bear had a friend named Gillian Gibbons. Gillian is a British citizen who was kind enough to travel to Sudan to teach some of its schoolchildren. One fine September day, Gibbons brought her favorite teddy bear to her classroom and asked her 7-year-old students to vote on a name for it as part of the class' study of animals and their habitats.

The children overwhelmingly voted to call the teddy bear "Muhammad"--after one of their classmates and also because it is one of the most popular names in the world. In Great Britain, for example, "Muhammad" now is second only to "Jack" as the most popular name for baby boys. Some news reports suggest that it could rise to No. 1 by next year.

And of course, "Muhammad" is the most revered name for anyone born into the religion of Islam.

This is where the story turns tragically silly. For reasons still puzzling to most Muslims, Gibbons was arrested and initially charged under Sudan's blasphemy laws, accused of somehow slandering Islam because her class named the teddy bear "Muhammad."

When the story made international headlines, the collective jaws of the world's Muslims dropped to the floor. According to the absurd logic of the Sudan officials who charged her, every Muslim woman who names her child "Muhammad" (we're talking millions) also should be charged with a crime. Perhaps we should charge Cassius Clay with a crime because he changed his name to Muhammad Ali.

Nevertheless, Gibbons was convicted and sentenced to 15 days in jail.

As an international human-rights lawyer, I believe that the Sudanese actions were ridiculous. From an international legal perspective, it was completely frivolous. And from a political vantage point, it was a mind-boggling and catastrophic blunder.

With heads shaking in disbelief, global Muslim leaders called on the Sudanese government to show that true Islamic principles of tolerance and mercy do not allow unlawful violence in expressing concern at the publication of insulting cartoons--or at the misperceived actions of a well-meaning teacher named Gillian Gibbons. They urged the immediate release of Gibbons.

Their entreaties prevailed. Earlier this week, after spending eight days in jail, she was pardoned by Sudan's president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. She flew home to England on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the world has had yet another chuckle at the expense of every Ali, Akbar and Ahmad out there.

Let me explain: I call this the "Ali, Akbar and Ahmad" phenomenon, which is comparable to the old adage about "Tom, Dick and Harry." To put it in proper context, I would say something like, "I am sick and tired of having to answer for every Ali, Akbar and Ahmad who does some idiotic thing around the world."

But alas, Ali, Akbar and Ahmad always come calling.

If I were given the opportunity, I would fly to the United Kingdom to offer Gillian Gibbons a peace offering. I would express my sadness for her ridiculous ordeal and humbly offer her a teddy bear to put a happy ending on this story.

And that teddy bear's name would be Muhammad.

Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer and contributing editor for Islamica magazine.


Available at: http://www.diversityinc.com/public/2818.cfm

I know that Muslims take Muhammad very seriously and take Slander of his name very seriously. But I still don't undertand what was so wrong in naming a Teddy bear "Muhammad" I would love it it someone could go over old ground and explain. I have seen many demo's calling for the death of the school teacher ( who's bear it was) but none for the bomber.
I almost 100% share the same ideology as that of this writer. Most well-awared Muslims do, but noooo - mainstream Media won't show/inform you what they think of this issue. ;)

"Also what is more offensive a teddy called "Muhammed" or the fact that a 7/7 bomber was called "Muhammad"?"
Neither. Firstly, as a Muslim, I know this now that getting a Muslim name is not enough for me to classify me as a MUSLIM in real words. You gotta work hard for being a real Muslim, starting from FIVE times prayers each day!! :D SOOO, why would do I need to worry or panic about it if any random guy named "Muhammad" does such and such evil acts?!? It's just HIS action solely, neither of all other Muslims nor of his parents.


I hope my answer was relevant. Well I tried my best. :D
 

vegangoth

Banned
That was the answer I wanted lol a complety sensible answer to a complety crazy situation lol. As for the media I so agree. The media suck!!
 

mezeren

Junior Member
I know that Muslims take Muhammad very seriously and take Slander of his name very seriously. But I still don't undertand what was so wrong in naming a Teddy bear "Muhammad" I would love it it someone could go over old ground and explain. Also what is more offensive a teddy called "Muhammed" or the fact that a 7/7 bomber was called "Muhammad"? I have seen many demo's calling for the death of the school teacher ( who's bear it was) but none for the bomber.



hi,

it is called respect.in the west,people could make a mockery of their religion,prophet or their gods,but we simply don't.you might not understand it but surely you could respect it.

secondly,don't be so sure about the so called bomber.nothing is as it seems.i recommend you to google "7/7 the ripple effect" and see what is behind that events.and you may want to google about the other side of the 9/11 as well.there was a "muhammed atta" in 9/11 as far as i remember.it is not a coincidence.those who planned and excecute the attacs to discredit islam choose people with those names.
 

mhamzah

Junior Member
:salam2:

Because of west double standards towards the east namely the Muslim world, Muslim are always suspicious of any action of a westerner. But dont forget it was Muslims who helped organised her release.
 
since the west have no respect for our religion, there is a lot of suspicion amongst the muslims. there have been centuries of evidence to prove that islam is really the true religion. there have been centuries of evidence to show the west that the Quran is the word of God and Muhammad pbuh is His messenger. but still they dont accept islam. so the only thing they are out for is mischief. they speak of peace with their lying mouths and keep some other intention hidden in their hearts.
 

Waseem203

Young Muslim
I personally don't see a problem with calling a teddy bear Muhammed either. Having punished a lady for trying to relate to the kids is irrational and I dont support it at all.
 

TeenagerMuslim

Junior Member
I personally don't see a problem with calling a teddy bear Muhammed either. Having punished a lady for trying to relate to the kids is irrational and I dont support it at all.

Exactly. And, the teddy was named after 'Muhammad' the class fellow to them, this kid...who might now even had done home work next day. :) ...He's just a kid. How could some Muslims think of comparing this issue to Hadrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself?! La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
 

Amir_of_spain

Junior Member
The whole thing was blown out of proportion. As the bros have mentioned, it's simply about respect, the prophet for us is the best human being who ever lived, his example to us is how each man women and child should live their life, ie he represents the best of all human traits, how a human being should be like, behave and live. So my friend, such a person in our culture has a specific rank, ie high status of respect and honour, this level of respect and status goes even before our mothers, fathers, culture, nationality, history, even above us as individuals. In the west there was a time when a similar sentiment was shown to prophet Jesus, so such a great noble high ranking prophet... to use his name as a teddy bear is not appriopriate, its like naming my pet dog or rabbit Jesus. I do believe the whole situation was blown out of proportion and this was more to due with political reasons instead of religious ones.

Hope that answers your question.
 
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