THE DONALD TRUMP PHENOMENON

THE DONALD TRUMP PHENOMENON Muslims must Respond Positively DONALD TRUMP was elected the 45th President of the United States on November 8, 2016. During the election campaign as well as after entering the White House, he issued certain harsh statements about Muslim immigrants residing in America. This triggered criticism against Mr.Trump, not only by American Muslims but also from Muslims all over the world. According to them, this development was clearly anti-Muslim and perhaps no Muslim has given a positive response in the matter. Muslims believe that the Prophet of Islam is a complete model for them. This complete model, however, is not in terms of superiority of the Prophet, but rather in terms of his offering a guiding example in every matter. Whenever Muslims face a situation, it is their responsibility to search for a corresponding example from the life of the Prophet and then act upon it. If the Prophet is a complete model, then his life must provide a model for Muslims in every circumstance they face. There is indeed a model present in the Prophet’s life with regard to the current situation as well. The Prophet of Islam was born in Makkah, where he initiated his mission in 610 CE. After a period of thirteen years, he and his Muslim followers left Makkah for another town called Madinah. In this way, the Prophet and the Companions of the Prophet settled in Madinah as immigrant Muslims. Here they often had to face certain unpleasant situations from some residents of Madinah. For example, a tribal leader of Madinah, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, became a staunch opponent of the Prophet. Although he had pledged allegiance to the Prophet, Ibn Ubayy abhorred to see that immigrants from outside had taken a prominent place in his city. Ibn Ubayy would often pass humiliating remarks at the Prophet and the Muslims who had come from Makkah. For example, once he made a statement which has been recorded in the Quran in these words: “Indeed, when we return to Madinah, [we] the ones most worthy of honour, will surely drive out from there the contemptible ones!” (63: 8). The Quran or the Prophet showed no reaction at these demeaning words. On the contrary when Ibn Ubayy said this, the Quran simply Whenever Muslims face a situation, it is their responsibility to search for a corresponding example from the life of the Prophet and then act upon it.