As-salamu alaykum,
In light of the arrest of Tarek Mehanna, and the consequent MuslimMatters post and comments on it, I would like to express my apology to his family and our readership.
There is no doubt the post mentioned and regardless of the given reasoning behind it, was not acceptable. MuslimMatters is a public forum and is open for general discussion regardless of personal views, and we would like to keep it that way. People might agree or disagree with some of our view presented on our site, they might choose to criticize or attack our blog in their comments or on other public forums, but this is their personal choice and legitimate right. However, there is no justification for MuslimMatters to take advantage of the circumstances of others to prove a point or correct a stance of certain individuals.
MuslimMatters.org is a non-profit organization and a public entity and not a personal blog or individual forum. I believe MuslimMatters should not get defensive or feel “betrayed” or “let down” in any way if others chose not to agree with the views presented. At the same time we will continue to present our views on the issues discussed on the blog on principles, and not on a personal level.
I would like to urge my brothers and sisters on all ends, writers and commentators on MuslimMatters, as well as the community of our readers, to first and foremost fear Allah and refrain from any negative thoughts and ill talk about one another. Secondly, if we know something went wrong, then it is definitely better to offer naseeha and advice in the best manner.
Surely it is legitimate to feel upset and dismayed at seeing the limits and boundaries of Allah being violated, whether its in matters of deen, duniya, or even against other individuals or entities, but anger does not mean venting through emotional reactions.
To receive constructive criticism is the right of every Muslim, and to offer is the obligation on every Muslim; this is the meaning of the statement of the Messenger of Allah salla Alahu alayhi wa sallam:
“Support your (Muslim) brother (or sister), whether right or wrong.” The companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah! We do know how to do it when he is right, but how can we do it when he is wrong?” The Messenger of Allah replied: “To help him leave his wrongdoing.”
This however does not mean to act upon emotional impulses at the moment of impact; patience and forbearance is very important to ensure the message goes through. Our goal and higher objective of providing criticism for one another should be to ensure that the message goes through, not just to relieve ourselves of the feeling of guilt.
Once again, I feel the article posted was not up to our standards that we like to maintain on MuslimMatters, and I personally would like to apologize for having it posted at a time like this when the family of Tarek and others are going through this ordeal.
Yaser Birjas