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Introduction: Sometime ago on a Wahhabi forum someone called Mohammad Ansar was being called as Mo Ansar. Upon googling this person it became apparent his name of Mohammad Ansar and he has shortened his name to Mo. Point was made; it was disrespectful to shorten the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Wahhabis as always lacking good Adab for Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and specializing in insulting and disrespecting Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) defended the use of Mo/Moe. Saying there was no disrespect if name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was shortened in such fashion. This article has been written to bring awareness regarding this subject and to prevent Muslims from falling into traps of Iblees. Articles On Subject Of Respecting Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam): Following is short but concise article on insult and disrespect: Introduction To What Constitutes Disrespect Of Prophet & Its Punishment. Another article points out why saying Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is human being like me/us is disrespectful: Disrespecting Prophet By Saying - 'he Is Human Like Me.’ Following is a comprehensive article explaining all aspects in which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) can be disrespected: Determining Contempt Of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was'sallam) In Light Of Quran & Hadith. It is strongly recommended these articles are read before continuing. Distorting The Name Of Prophet Muhammad: Distorting the name of an esteemed personality, or distorting it in such fashion that it is being equated to an animal, or ignoble person is disrespectful. When a name is distorted it is always to mock and disrespect the person to whom the name belongs. In Islam everything about Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is worthy of respect including his name. His name is his name, even when the name Muhammad has been given to some regular Joe, and its sanctity is inviolable because the name was connected with Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). The Source Of Heresy And What It Would Lead To: It has been noted Muslims have started to shorten the name of our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to Mo or Moe. This innovation was started by cartoonists whose intention is to insult and disrespect Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) by shortening his name to Moe/Mo. Their website hosts cartoons at their website JesusandMo.net. Knowingly or unknowingly Muslims have adopted this usage instead of proper name Muhammad. Animated series Simpsons has a character called Moe. Moe is a bartender with dubious and sleazy character. And shortening the name to Moe is obvious reference to this character. Also the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is abbreviated to Mohd. Muslims have already evolved to stage where it is becoming common to use Moe, Mo, Mohd for each other. At the present, only the Kafirs use these short versions of name Muhammed while referring to Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but sooner or later it will filter down to Muslims. Next step is Satan inciting the use of these insults for Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Very likely the liberal, or moderate, or tolerant ‘Muslims’ will be the first one to actually use it and defends its use. You Will Follow The Practices Of Jews And Christians: Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is reported to have said in the following Hadith; the Muslims will follow the practices of Jews and Christians: “Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them." We said, "O Allah's Messenger! [You mean the] Jews and the Christians?" He said, "Whom else?” [Ref: Bukhari, B92, H 422] Hadith states the adherence to following the footsteps of Jews and Christians would be such that you would resemble the Jews and Christians, with little to no difference between you. This Hadith guarantees the distorted forms of name Muhammad will eventually be used by ‘Muslims’ to address Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). And these distortions maybe used with intention of mocking him. ‘Muslims’ mocking Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is nothing new because the Munafiqeen (i.e. hypocrites) mocked Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) in his life time. Hence as Muslims we should refrain from using these shortened versions as replacement for Muhammad. Distorting The Name Of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam): Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has stated: “Indeed Allah took the covenant from the Children of Israel (Jews), and We appointed twelve leaders among them. And Allah said: "I am with you if you perform As-Salat and give Zakat and believe in My Messengers; honor and assist them, and lend a good loan to Allah, verily, I will expiate your sins and admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise). But if any of you after this, disbelieved, he has indeed gone astray from the Straight Path." [Ref: 5:12] In another verse Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states; those who believe in Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) honor/respect him and the evidence of it as follows: “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they believe in him, honor him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.” [Ref: 7:157] The name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is to be honored just like he is to be honored. Distorting the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) by shortening it to; Mo, Moe, Mohd is an evil innovation introduced by infidels whose intention is to mock him. Do not follow the footsteps of disbelievers Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has stated: “And he who introduces a evil precedent in Islam (i.e. فِي الإِسْلاَمِ سُنَّةً سَيِّئَةً), there is upon him the burden of that, and the burden of him also who acted upon it subsequently, without any deduction from their burden.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] In another Hadith it is stated: "And whoever introduces erroneous innovation (i.e. بِدْعَةَ) with which Allah is not pleased nor His Messenger then he shall receive sins similar to whoever acts upon it without that diminishing anything from the sins of the people.” [Ref: Tirmadhi, B29, H2677] O Muslims, would Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and his beloved Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) approve or disapprove of your distortion of name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam)? When your action of; using Mo/Moe as equivalent of Muhammad is shown to him would he be pleased and praise Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) or saddened and seek forgiveness on your behalf? Do not follow the way of disbelievers and distort the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) there is nothing good in it. And only sin and punishment is added to your account of deeds, therefore leave it. The Ruling Regarding Use Of Mo/Moe Instead Of Muhammad: One who uses Mo/Moe to address a certain Muhammad, be he friend, or foe, or associate, or family member, he is one of those who have followed the evil innovation. The good actions of innovator and those who follow his evil innovation are not accepted until he gives-up the innovation and they will go into fire: “It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Allah refuses to accept the good deeds of one who follows innovation until he gives up that innovation.'" [Ref: Ibn Majah, B1, H50] “The worst of things are those that are newly invented; every newly-invented thing is an innovation and every innovation is going astray, and every going astray is in the Fire.” [Ref: Nisa’i, B19, H1579] One who uses Mo/Moe directly for Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and then he is guilty of disrespecting Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and such person is guilty of Kufr. He should be reproached with correction and encouraged to repent, and some form of punishment should be given such as ten lashes. One who persists upon his usage due to effect of Western thought upon him and defends the usage of Mo, Moe, and Mohd as replacement for Muhammad then such a person is Kafir (i.e. disbeliever). He should be tried in Shar’ri court and upon proving him guilty the capital punishment should be handed. Conclusion: Distorting the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a reprehensible innovation. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has instructed the respect of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and distorting the name of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is disrespect of the name and indirectly disrespect of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Those who choose to use Mo, or Moe, or Mohd while addressing Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) are guilty of disrespecting him which Kufr and crime in Sharia. Wama alayna ilal balaghul mubeen. Muhammed Ali Razavi