By: Khairunnisa )*
We should respond wisely to the case of the French President who made hate speeches against Muslims. Don’t pay back crime for crime, let alone boycott branded goods from the country. Remember that Islam is rahmatan lil alam, so Muslims are obliged to show the positive side.
The terror case followed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial statements has sparked turmoil around the world. In response to this, President Joko Widodo has issued a firm stance in responding to President Macron’s statements which are considered insulting to Muslims. According to President Jokowi, Macron’s statement could divide the unity of the world’s religious communities. In fact, now the world needs unity to face the Covid-19 pandemic.
As Muslims, should we be emotional and then turn to attack France in the form of boycotts and verbal attacks? If there is a crime, does it have to be repaid with evil too? Yet when everyone blasphemes against President Macron, what can be seen is that Muslims are synonymous with verbal violence. So that it even tarnished his own face.
We should show the citizens of France and the world that Islam is rahmatan lil alam alias a blessing for everyone. Islam provides coolness not only for Muslims, but also for non-Muslims. Because they don’t read the Koran, but read our daily attitudes. So what must be shown is good morals.
Islam also prohibits killing because of emotion alone. In the hadith narrated by Bukhari it is stated that a believer remains in the freedom of his religion, as long as he does not shed blood properly. If there is a murder it is tantamount to showing the negative side of Muslims.
Don’t easily injure others and take justice into your own hands. But settle it well, for example through a court. Remember that as a citizen, you are also bound by state law, so you are obliged to obey the rules and you should not commit violence arbitrarily.
When the news about the President of France seems to invite enemies to the Muslims, do not respond with attacks. Because it is the same as there will be endless wars. Unfortunately in Indonesia and other countries, there have been acts of boycotting products originating from France, including companies and their supermarkets.
In Indonesia, people have started calling for boycotts and to stop using cosmetic products, shoes and mineral water from France. There are even celebrities who immediately throw away all the luxury French purses and bags, from their closets. Employees who work in supermarkets and companies that speak French are also blasphemous.
This is very sad. Because most of these products are actually made in Indonesia, so they affect the lives of the workers. If there is a boycott, sales could decline so that employees could be threatened with layoffs. If you have this, it is tantamount to harming fellow Indonesian citizens.
Moreover, among these French companies, some were actually founded by Indonesians. The mineral water company was then bought by French businessmen and circulated globally. Don’t forget the history, and if there is a boycott of the mineral water brand, it will be detrimental to its founders.
If there continues to be boycott, how can we show that Islam is a rahmatan lil alam? Remember the morality of the Prophet Muhammad who was very gentle, even to non-Muslims who kept insulting him. He was not angry, instead every day he came and fed the blind old man. It was only when the Prophet was gone, that the friend told the blind man that it was the Prophet who took care of him.
As Muslims, don’t even act barbaric. Instead, we have to show a polite and patient Muslim face. Don’t get emotional, take revenge, and take the law into your own hands. If there are continued boycotts and trade wars, how can there be peace in the world? Stop and treat cases in France wisely.