The violent protests in Europe against cartoons of Muhammad are leading many to reconsider how we portray the Prophet of Islam.  If you think the answer is simply to depict him with respect and reverence, guess again.

A longstanding tradition in Islamic law forbids the visual representation of the Prophet Muhammad, at least in human form.  In a nutshell, Muhammad as the Prophet expressed the will of God, and by extension an image of Muhammad is as blasphemous as an idolotrous image of God.  This is why you'll see Muhammad's name on jewelry, but not his picture--the charm above, for example, declares that "there is no god but god, and Muhammad is his prophet." 

Do all Muslims adhere to this principle of Islamic law?  No, not even in a country as strict as Iran.  However, such leniency tends not to apply when an outsider flouts the rule. 

For example, to cite but one instance involving a cartoon, the prohibition against depicting Muhammad led to serious resistance to a recent animated movie retelling the Prophet's life.  In consultation with Islamic leaders, the filmmakers went ahead with their movie, but they also decided not to show Muhammad in human form.  Instead, his presence is indicated indirectly, by point-of-view shots and light. 

Note that while this was a compromise, it was not a wholesale capitulation to the most conservative wing of the Islamic faith--one longstanding tradition in Islamic law prohibits making an image of any living thing.  

As for the best course for the future, I'll leave that to the pundits and policymakers.  But as a rule of thumb, if you want to show your respect for the beliefs of your Islamic fundamentalist friends and neighbors this Superbowl weekend, you might want to think twice before you give them a . . .

Muhammad bobble-head doll!