What is the solution to the Danish cartoon that was published in Europe? How should a Sunni Muslim from the USA think about these heathens?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Every Muslim should know that defamation of Islam and mocking of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is something which has occurred through the centuries and which is still happening now, and it is an affliction through which a Muslim should be patient.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "How wonderful is the matter of a believer! There is good in all his affairs, and this is only for the believer. If something good happens to him and he is grateful, then this is good for him, and if a calamity befalls him and he is patient, then this is also good for him.” [Muslim] The fact that there are people who ridicule the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is not a new matter. Rather, it is a very old one that is simply recurring. The polytheists from the tribe of Quraysh insulted the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said that he was a poet, a magician and a madman, and they defamed him with other insults, but this did not harm the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and did not lower his status.

What has occurred only increases our firm belief in the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he was truly a prophet, and it increases our love for him, and makes us abide by his orders all the more.

Our advice to our Muslim brothers and sisters during these grave events and similar incidents in addition to what we already mentioned is the following:

1.       To control oneself and be calm. Do not by hasty and do any act which may be of a negative effect for the Muslims. Rather, one should utilize these events in a way to serve this religion, as these bitter incidents could yield sweet fruits. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Calamities, problems, afflictions and resentment are (in reality) blessings.” Indeed these incidents draw the attention of the neglectful Muslims and result in their return to Allaah The Almighty, and it is a way of renewing the religion in the hearts of the Muslims, in addition to other benefits that may be attained.

2.       It is an obligation to repent to Allaah The Almighty and avoid sins and acts of disobedience. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whatever strikes you of disaster, it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.} [Quran, 42:30]. Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "If you trade in ‘Eenah (a forbidden and deceptive type of transaction that is in fact a type of Ribaa (usury or interest), and stick to the tails of cows and are pleased with the plantations [are busy with this worldly life], and abandon Jihaad, Allaah will put you through a humiliation which He will not remove from you until you return to your religion.” [Abu Daawood]

3.       To ask the scholars about what to do and act according to their advice, according to the Saying of Allaah The Almighty (which means): {And when there comes to them something [i.e. information] about [public] security or fear, they spread it around. But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it.} [Quran, 4:83] Therefore, one should not act (say or do anything) except with the advice of such scholars. We would like to stress here on the importance of boycotting the products of the countries which published these cartoons, and undertaking other means which could achieve religious benefits. In doing so, we have to focus on the country which caused the spread of this evil, and we should completely and totally boycott its products, services and medicines, such that they taste the outcome of their evil acts.

4.       To unite, because by uniting, the nation will become powerful, and we should be careful of divisions, as this weakens the nation. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And hold firmly to the rope of Allaah all together and do not become divided.} [Quran, 3:103] Allaah The Almighty also Says (what means): {And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allaah is with the patient.} [Quran, 8:46]

Finally, it should be noted that the above advice and directives are required from Muslims at all times, and that they (the directives) are even more stressed when such events and incidents happen.

Allaah Knows best.