AUG. 16 2017 9:51 AM

Did You Hear the One About Muslims Who Tell Profane Jokes About Islam?

I went to see R-rated Muslim comics perform, and they taught me something about free speech.

(Originally By Aymann Ismail and Jeffrey Bloomer)

This video (which I will NOT post) is part of “Who’s Afraid of Aymann Ismail?,” a series featuring Slate’s Aymann Ismail confronting fears about Muslims. Follow along on the series Facebook page.

When you think of what happens to people who mock Islam, your mind probably goes to Charlie Hebdo, or Theo van Gogh, or the violent attack outside the “Draw Muhammad” contest in Texas. Violence by Muslim extremists who believe they’re defending Islam from “blasphemy” is very real. And it's created a climate where many people believe, often stridently, that you can’t offend Muslims without consequences. 

In my experience, many Muslims in America hold beliefs closer to Dean Obeidallah’s. He’s a SiriusXM host who frequently moonlights as a TV commentator defending people’s right to say whatever the hell they want. With comedian Maysoon Zayid, he created Muslim Funny Fest, a three-year-old standup comedy festival that’s partly designed to counter the grim narrative about Muslim intolerance. I went on “haram night," the R-rated evening show where Muslim comedians went uncensored. And it got graphic pretty quick.

In this episode, I interview some of the comedians who told the most explicit jokes. Many are the children of Muslim immigrants, who should know better than anyone about what happens when you "offend Islam." Some had performed their comedy all around the world, and what they’ve discovered surprised even me.

—Aymann Ismail

This series is written and produced by Aymann Ismail and Jeffrey Bloomer, and edited by Aymann Ismail.
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This is a short one. I refused to click, watch, or share the videos. Some of you may say "well how can you judge it without hearing?"

Well the thing is... They've made it clear what sort of content is in it. Uncensored, graphic, IDIOTIC jokes about Islam to show "free" speech. This kind of stupidity all in the name of "free" speech is why one of the two things we were so strictly warned to safeguard is our tongue. People think they should have the right to say whatever they wish and there will be no consequence.

Wrong.

Sure, as a regular citizen, the average Joe can't beat you up or force you not to say displeasing things. But you will be held accountable for it by One who is far mightier and much more terrifying (if you anger Him).  And some people will say, "calm down, it's only jokes. Allah is the Most Forgiving and Merciful."

These people must be unfamiliar with certain parts of the Quran. Let me share one  :)

"Say: 'Mock [as you wish]; indeed, Allah will expose that which you fear.' And if you ask them (about this), they will surely say: 'We were only talking idly and joking.' Say: 'Was it at Allah, and His Ayat and His Messenger that you were mocking?' Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimun (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.). The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands (from spending for Allah's sake). They have forgotten Allah , so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites - it is they who are the defiantly disobedient. Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment." (9:64-66)

Islam is a religion of moderation. It is not overly strict, HOWEVER, this does not mean that there are not boundaries. There are limits, and you should not go to extremes in any regard. Some people go too far to the right and become overly harsh and strict. This is wrong. But, just as wrong (and sometimes worse) is for you to go too far left and completely disregard and disrespect the limits as though they don't exist. To be like edgy little 12 year olds who want to mock and joke about sacred things just because someone said you shouldn't, that's stupid. That's immature, ignorant, and believe it or not, it is no one's right. Allah will take those who transgress to account for it. These so-called Muslim comedians need to get their acts together (pun intended) and knock off this nonsense.

"Haram night."

Where do you get the nerves? Like, the audacity. What the heck? That's blatantly asking for it. That's just so.... Ugh. I'm done here. People are stupid, and sadly, some Muslims are no exception to that...