Is Blaspheme Punishable by Death in Islam?

Category: Featured, Highlights, Life & Society Topics: Apostasy, Blasphemy Views: 97332
97332

There is nothing in the Quran or the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad justifying the killing of people for opposing, criticizing, humiliating or showing irreverence toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs and beliefs of Islam.

The Quran says:

"Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah,
lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance.
Thus We have made alluring to each people its own doings.
In the end will they return to their Lord,
and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did. [6:108]

"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you ridicule others:
It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former):
Nor let some women ridicule others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former):
Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames:
Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed:
And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. [49:11]

"Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive;" [42:37]

If blasphemy was punishable by death in Islam, then the Prophet would have been the first one to order the killing of hundreds of his foes who later became his closest companions. With the exception of a very few earlier Arabs who accepted the Prophet as the Messenger of Allah , the majority of people of Makkah opposed him, humiliated him, cursed or blasphemed him or even tried to kill him, yet he preferred to practice forgiveness and to seek the divine mercy for them.

The old woman who used to throw garbage on the Prophet was visited by him when he did not see her throwing it anymore to learn that she was not well. When Suhail bin Amr, a poet who composed poetry blaspheming the Prophet was taken as a prisoner of war after the battle of Badr, the Prophet asked his companions to show kindness to him. There are examples after examples to prove that the Prophet  never resorted to violence against those who were showing utter disrespect to him.

The assassination of a Pakistani Christian cabinet minister for speaking against the blasphemy law is a stab in the heart of Islam and a humiliation of the Prophet by those who claim to be his followers. Those who are supporting his killing or similar actions are the worst enemy of Islam who neither understands Islam nor respects the Prophet . No matter who they are, they must be challenged on the basis of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet .

Unfortunately, their argument is built on a position that is supported by a good number of Muslim religious scholars all over the world that demand death for acts of apostasy and blasphemy, two of the practices that were developed under the influence of corrupt despotic Muslim rulers who misused their power to twist religious scholarship to serve their political interests.

The idea of blasphemy is foreign to Islam. It was justified by many medieval Muslim scholars on the basis of their understanding of Christian and Jewish texts supporting laws against those who blaspheme and vilify their religions.

The word "blasphemy" came via Middle English blasfemen and Old French blasfemer and Later Latin blasphemare meaning "I injure." Based on this definition, rulers used laws to victimize non-members of and dissident members of the ruling sect or cult. Countries that had a state religion used it often to serve the interests of the rulers. In Judaism, the third book of Torah, Leviticus 24:16 states that those who speak blasphemy shall surely be put to death. The seven laws of Noah seen by Judaism as applicable to all of humankind prohibits blasphemy In Christian theology, the Gospel of Mark 3:29, describes blaspheming the holy spirit as unforgivable eternal sin. Thomas Aquinas considered blasphemy a major unforgivable sin, more grave than murder. The Book of Concord describes it the greatest sin ever committed. The Baptist Confession of Faith calls it a disgusting and detesting act. Catholic Church has specific prayers and devotions as Acts of Reparation for blasphemy against God and the Church was a crime punishable by death in much of the Christian world. In England, last blasphemy execution was that of an 18-year-old Thomas Aikenhead who was executed for the crime in 1697. He was prosecuted for denying the accuracy of the Old Testament and the legitimacy of Christ's miracles.

The Quran and the authentic teachings of the Prophet describe the practice of showing irreverence to God and his messenger as acts of ignorance, deliberate provocation or hatred. Yet the two sources of Islamic guidance never proposed punitive action on the basis of theological dissent or religious differences or irreverence. Some Muslim jurists have, often misused the institution of ijtihad to serve the emotive interests of the people. The fatwa or religious decree issued by Khomeini proposing murder of Salman Rushdie was a personal opinion with no support from the divine guidance.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan also has in its penal code laws that prohibit and punish blasphemy against Islam ranging from a fine to death. The Criminal courts often decide a case of blasphemy on the basis of public emotions and political interests rather than the divine writ. Pakistan's Criminal Code has its blasphemy laws. For instance, code 295 forbids damaging or defiling a place of worship or a sacred object, code 296A forbids outraging religious feelings, code 295 B forbids defiling the Quran, code 295 C forbids defaming Prophet Muhammad .

Defiling the Quran is punishable by imprisonment for life and defaming Prophet Muhammad by death with or without a fine. None of these codes have any basis in the Quran or the authentic teachings of the Prophet . It is a position that many scholars adopted under the influence of despotism that prevailed in the Muslim world for centuries and still prevails in many countries. This position is rarely challenged by those who claim to have knowledge of the Quran and Sunna. Often, they use their religious authority to suppress debate on the issue.

The tyranny of religious scholars is so intense that those opposed to these laws are condemned as non-Muslims punishable by death. Some of the scholars even encourage their followers to unleash terror against such people. Their arrogance has reached to a point that they do not want to listen to any argument based on the Quran and the teachings of the Quran. The religious and educational institutions of the Muslim world suffer from the tyranny of these scholars who justify their ignorance and arrogance on the basis of a literature that emerged at a time, when Muslims had lost connection with the Quran and by and large were at the mercy of despotic rulers and their hired religious scholars.

The un-Quanic and un-Prophetic practices adopted by many Muslims scholars must be challenged. Islam is not the monopoly of self-imposed scholars. It is a faith given to people for their well being and guidance without any interference from any authority other than Allah , the almighty.. Those who assume the divine role in condemning people and deciding their life and death must be challenged and what better way than to seek the repelling of blasphemy law in light of the Quran and Sunna.

If Muslim religious scholars are seriously concerned about the sensitivities of people with regards to their faith and its holy figures, then they should advocate common laws for every religion and religious community emphasizing that respect must be shown to all religions and freedom of speech must not be seen as a license to hurt and provoke others.

It is time that Muslim scholars from all over the world revisit issues such as blasphemy and apostasy in the light of the Quran and Sunna rather than falling victim to positions that can not be substantiated by the divine writ.


  Category: Featured, Highlights, Life & Society
  Topics: Apostasy, Blasphemy
Views: 97332

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Older Comments:
MOHAMMADARSHAD said:
There are only a few incidents in the Seerah where the Prophet has judged in favor of a death penalty for a Blasphemer. Such examples quoted by our scholars: 1. The case of Asma bint Marw'an and Abu Afaq (The isnad of these events is doubtful) 2. The execution of Ka'b Ibn Ashraf (He was a political criminal blameworthy of instigating the Meccans against the Muslims) 3. The execution of Al Nadr Ibn Harith and Uqbah Ibn Abi Muyit (Both were terrible war criminals) 4. Abdullah Ibn Khatal (executed on charges of murder) Contrary to this, there are numerous examples where the Prophet exercised clemency towards those who vilified his honorific personality. Abu Sufyan, Ikrama bin Abu Jahl, Suhail Ibn Amr, Hind bint Utbah and everyone of those whom the Prophet forgave at the conquest of Makkah were blameworthy of Sab O Shatm.
2016-09-29

ALMANA AHMAD FROM USA said:
Articles like these are food for the soul.jazakallah khair.may God
guide us in fulfilling the purpose of our creation..peace
2011-05-07

KHAWAJA SHAHABUDDIN FROM INDIA said:
Allahamdullilah
One of the best articles I have read in recent time. May Allah bless u and the people who folow true Islam. Do mail me your articles. People like should come forword in preaching correct Islam. Plz try and make this article published on a large scale. Inshallah will see that I get this published in one of our local news papers. i.e Aurangabad (maharashtra).
May Allah bless you and forgive you your sins.
khawaja shahabuddin
2011-03-12

ALEGE BILQEES FROM NIGERIA said:
May Almighty Allah reward u abundantly.
2011-03-10

ASLAM ABDULLAH FROM USA said:
Thank you for your comments. I presented a perspective on blasphemy based on my reading and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. This is what is expected of us and this is what I did. I have not found a single verse in the Quran using a word equivalent of blasphemy. Muhammad Asad and other translators have used word kufr to describe blasphemy at least at six places. But kufr and blasphemy are two different concepts. In fact, my argument is simple. There is no punishment mentioned in the Quran for blasphemy. Even kufr is not punishable by death in the Quran.
In Christian and Jewish literature blasphemy is punishable by death and the two religions have taken a very strong position on this issue.
The prophet made a distinction between blasphemy and treachery. While treachery against state and people was dealt harshly by the state, the blasphemy was never considered a justifiable reason for any punishment.
The actions against three individuals mentioned in one of the posts are based on narrations in some books of ahadith. Some scholars describe those actions for treachery and not blasphemy.
Of course, people should be sensitive to other's feelings and if a statement is aimed to disrupt the law and order situation, it should be dealt accordingly. But remember, it is the potential danger behind the statement that would make it an offense and not the blasphemy.
People did insult Allah and the Prophet. Yet the Prophet remained calm and used the moment to demonstrate the nobility of his character rather than resorting to revenge.
2011-03-10

ZAINIB AHMAD FROM USA said:
Alhamdolillah! What a beautiful, scholarly article. May Allah bless the brother for his bold and outspoken defense of the true Islam. This is what all of us should be saying. This is what Imams should be saying in their khutbas. This is what our next generations should be taught. We are defiling our own religion, some by rejecting it in action and some by remaining silent as they witness the wrongs and silence their consciences. May Allah allow us all to return to the true guidance of the Quran and Sunnah, which does not mean we should return to how things were exactly in the time of the blessed Prophet (PBUH). We need to modernize our thoughts and open our minds in light of the Quran and Sunnah and embrace all that is good in being modern, and remain open to the reform that needs to be done among the Muslims.
2011-03-09

FARZANA C. FROM USA said:
Wonderful article! Prudent, timely, illuminating and very assertive!
Growing up as a Muslim in Bangladesh, these were the messages I was taught. But now I find myself lost among the vitriolic rhetoric of extremist clerics and the eternal silence of peace-loving tolerant Muslims. The time has come to take charge and challenge the so-called scholars and propagate the true teachings of Islam.
I shall be saving this article for myself, for my children, for haters and of course, for the self imposed religious authorities who try to nullify us as mere ignorant commoners.
2011-03-09

MUHAMMED FROM USA said:
Dr Abdullah seems to interpret Quran and Islam according to his Whim. To justify a Vegas lifestyle. Blasphamy law(s) are common sense. For example, countries like india have it to reach our to the sensibilities of all people and have harmonious relationship.

The punishment of death may be a subject to debate. However, Not having consequences is like asking for more. For example, you would never question a holocaust in Europe. Never question the truth about Anne Frank( a story written by a girl in concentration camp - her book survives and no one does- how unlikely), any Can a muslim Dare insult St Paul in United States for ruining The message of Jesus (PBUH)??? If Yes, Try it.
2011-03-09

GARY FROM UNITED STATES said:
I do agree with this article to a point. If blasphemy occurs on a single and individual basis of the person committing it then no crime is committed. But if the individual uses this act to motivate others to hatred and violence that would not otherwise be there if this act had not occurred then the person(s) responsible should be sought and justly disciplined and even executed if their actions caused the loss of life or limb to another individual.

To devile the Quaran or Muhammad(peace be upon hiM) is a choice that is indeed wicked. But this matter is better left up to Allah and his justice should the person not repent for this grave sin.
2011-03-09

RAZA FROM USA said:
Dr Aslam Abdullah, could you prove that assassination of a Pakistani Christian cabinet minister is because "he spoke against the blasphemy law?" Do you know this motive for his murder for sure. Could there be other possibilities. Could it be political?

About the issue you talked abou, what are your recommendations? In the whole article I read the tyranny of the scholars imposed due to corrupt political rulers, but what are your recommendations for people wilfully insulting or hurting other people's religious feeling. Please do not just tell us what not to do, rather tell us what to do. If some one 'damages or defiles a place of worship or a sacred object' what to do? If someone 'outrage religious feelings' what to do, and if someone 'defame or insult Prophet Muhammad or any Prophet' what to do. If your answer is to just forgive or look the other way, then will you recommend the same when someone defame you or insult you or defame or insult some political figurehead? I am NOT talking about the death penalty. No. But the impression I got from your article is that do nothing ( ...With or without a fine none of these codes have any basis in the Quran ...)
Also, no body claimed that Muslims came up with this word blasphemy. There is a basic human principle of not insulting other people. Any secular system also enact laws to protect people againt insult, hate and defame. If you want to critize some law in it current form, implemented somewhere in the world, then please do so. But are you saying that there should not be any law against insulting people or hurting their religious feelings?
2011-03-09

AWAIS FROM USA said:
Playing "the devil's advocate", what about the assassinations of Abu Afak, Asma bint Marwan, and Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf?
2011-03-08

RASHAD ABDULAZEEM FROM USA said:
Dr. Abdullah, thank you for speaking out on this incident. It's hard for me to understand how so many Muslims say they follow our beloved Prophet (pbuh), but yet fail to align their daily lives to his conduct. I hate to say it but there just seems to be too much ignorance in the Muslim world.

How do we remain so backward and ignorant when we possess Allah's (swt) final revelation? I realize there is a lot of ignorance that is spread around with other communities. However, it appears like we have become a community that is just bent on fighting and killing with no justification at all. Indeed we need more scholars to speak out against governments that disrespect our religion.
2011-03-08