I highly appreciate the philosophical debate hosted by the Oxford (the link is attached below).

But this topic does not need a debate as Quran asked the prophet Mohamed, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to deal with mockers with patience as in chapter 15 verses 95 up to 99 that says:

"Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers. Who make [equal] with Allah another deity. But they are going to know. And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say. So exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him]. And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death)."

Based on the above sophisticated verses, Muslims are required to react to the mockers of the prophet with patience, irrespective of how constrained their hearts are due to the mocking. Muslim are equally required not to resort to mocking as a response to mockers as required by Quran chapter 6 verse 108 that says:

"And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do."

The anger or violence expressed by Muslims and some of the Muslim politicians or hate preachers is obviously against the above verses. I am proud that the Gulf Arabic countries, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE, did follow the footsteps of Quran and didn't react to the mocking through violence or retaliation. However, the attached chant is a famous and unacceptable verbal retaliation to the mockers as it generalizes and attacks the entire western culture without any exception.

While it may be appropriate for any nation to mock its own figures, in general, mocking figures from other cultures is a sign of ignorance. If necessary and unavoidable, we may mock behaviors and attitudes of other cultures without specifying individuals. This is clearly demonstrated in Quran chapter 7 verse 179 that says:

"And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless."

Indeed, those whose behavior prevent them from using their mind, eyes and ears to understand are equal to animals, even if they are Muslims. Quran encourages good behaviors and discourages the bad ones as in chapter 61 verses 2 and 3 that say:

"O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do."

No doubt the best approach is to productively, politely and unapologetically criticize each other. In doing so, its OK to upset but not to hurt others. Criticizing behaviors could upset, which is fine, but criticizing individuals could hurt, which is wrong. In fact, Quran encourages non-Muslims to challenge Islam and Quran requires Muslims to be open minded and listen to all opinions and then use their mind to logically choose the best practices as in chapter 39 verses 17 and 18 that say:

"So give good tidings to My servants. Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding."

Based on the above, I agree with Dr. Tariq in the debate, that it's Muslims that we need to reform and not the Islam.

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