Blasphemy as per Quran

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Does Quran specifically mention a punishment for blasphemy? The recent murder of the governer of Punjab in Pakistan because he said these blasphemy laws are not in accordance with Quran, is his murder an ‘Islamic’ thing? Any verses from Quran that supports blasphemy punishments would be appreciated.

Thanks. (:

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

I don't know if quran anything specifically ..
I am not commenting on salman taseer murder

but i would like to connect few dots .. .. ..

when, something is not clear by quran or hadeeth, then the obvious thing is to see how sahaba have dealt with that particular situation. in this particular case Hazrat Abu Bakar r.a. (one of the ashra mubashra) did Jihad to the people who falsly claimed to be prophet .. ..

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

I am going to quote this for future reference. This is probably the simplest deifnation of what Sharia is. :k:

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Agreed with T1000

There is no license to kill blasphemers however if Blashpemy is used as a propaganda weapon to hurt Muslims coupled with other acts such as apostasy, violence or material support against Muslims then indeed a millitary response is permitted... as has been shown by Islamic history with respect to the Riddah Wars.

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Perfect !

if I was at a very influential position in Pakistan, I would put this under Blashphemy Laws in exact same words, without any changes (except with the addition of minorities)

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Voilence/killing and treason have nothing to do with BLASPHEMY.

The punishment for blasphemy and apostasy is with Allah Himself.

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

I think the murderer of Salman Taseer should be tried for blasphemy himself. How dare he malign the name of our Prophet (SAW) to justify his brutal act?

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

My friend learn to read things through carefully before you raise your own so high...

We are both following the same path yet blind to each others presence let us help one another make more sense of things rather than look for arguments all the time.

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re: Blasphemy as per Quran

I agree with T1000, besides I think there's nothing wrong with the blasphemy law itself, it's just the way it's implemented in Pakistan is not perfectly correct but that goes for other laws as well.

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As a muslim we believe Quran is a COMPLETE book and Hazrat Ayesha said if u wana see Holy Prophet's iklaak, its Quran .... and after failed to find any examples that would support blasphemy law in Quran or in the life of Holy Prophet.....than we shouldnt implement such laws because we are followers of Quran and Holy Prophet.... if they didnt follow such traditions we shouldnt follow them either....

As for False claimed prophets are concerned EVEN they were NOT punished/killed during the life of Holy prophet..... later they were killed in wars

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

I dont understand one thing:

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself did not hurt any one who hurt him, why should we?

e.g.
When he went to Taif, he was stoned as well but he still did not utter any word and just prayed that may Allah put them on the right path.

Same way, there was a woman who collected all the garbage at her house and threw it on Prophet (pbuh) when ever he passed by, he just smiled at her.

What makes us forget the peace that our own religion & Prophet (pbuh) have taught, and make our own rules to kill people whether for voicing their opinion or for degrading our Prophet (pbuh)?

Its just a question for mere understanding, please do not make a fuss out of it.

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Killing is wrong no matter what unless within limits set by the quran. As for governer punjab, his murder is also wrong and killer is not a hero but I can only pray for both.

As for pakistan, it is not an islamic country, it is a country full of people who claim to be muslims but are not bothered much with knowing what islam really is.

The result is this kind of governance and this kind of killing. People are becoming enemies of each other and pakistan is turned in to a jungle wherein such things are expected.

May allah have his mercy on us and help us come out of trial and turbulance as intact as possible.

To get rid of this situation people must make all efforts to educate each other about proper islam because there is no other way to better situation.

Islam is against taking law in to one's own hands as well as to react this way to blasphemy of others.

See surah mariam 88-92 and see if the prophet and his companions murdered anyone for reason of blasphemy. Any reports that show some one killed some one because one insulted the prophet may have other explanantions are they are false.

019.088 YUSUFALI: They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"

019.089 YUSUFALI: Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!

019.090 YUSUFALI: At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin,

019.091 YUSUFALI: That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.

019.092 YUSUFALI: For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.

Is there any doubt that allah has made a big issue of this blasphemy? No.

What was reaction of the prophet and his companions? Did they all go mad and started killing anyone in sight? No, instead the prophet invited them to dialogue right in side masjidal nabi in madinah. Not only that but he let them pray and blasphem right in front of him and his companions.

Is any of us more conscious of honour than allah, his prophets and people he is well pleased with? No.

What is lesson here right in the quran for us? Be sensible and don't try to solve problems by murder and killings and violence.

On one hand we muslims claim islam is the best and on the other we ourselves contradict the very same by our actions. If islam is really that great then does it need our protection? If it is really that bad that it needs our protection then is it worth for us be muslims?

This is why the case of aasia, the christian woman is very sad way to deal with her. The right things was to free her and ensure her protection, for nonmuslims living amongst muslims are under the protection of allah and his messenger because they gurantied their safety. We are making sure that our porpeht's word means nothing to us. How sad?

The quran contains many verses on this very issue.

1)Look in to verses that are about idolators, are they not blasphemers? They are but allah did not order their killing to his messenger.
2)christians are considered blasphemers and are condemned as kufaar but their killing is not ordered either.
3)Jews are famous for macking allah and his messenger and all allah advises muslims is to avoid them till they turn to other matters.
4)There are incidences in the ahadith books that some insulted the prophet and his reaction was graceful instead of condemnation or even complain.

There are odd reports which also tell about incidences where certain people were assasinated on direction of the prophet etc but I do not think they are relevant. Why noy?

Because just like the prophet ordered death of those who returned to their old ways ie went back to oppression and tyranny, injustiuce and unfairness etc for reasons other than apostasy so he may have ordered such death for others reason or such reports are definitly false as they will then be against the quranic stand. Because the quran is full of verses against kiling of people merely on the basis of their beliefs even if they are based upon blasphemy against allah.

The excuse that muslims did not have power to deal with them at the time is not the right excuse because JIZYA concept flies straight in the face of that excuse and smashes it in to pieces. That is muslims conquerred people and let them live as their protected people ie zimmies. Jews and christians and parsies and pagans lived amongst muslims without being persecuted on the basis of their religous beliefs and the quran contain clear verses wherein muslims are clearly told to protect their places of worship. Why protect places of worship of those people who blasphem if they are supposed to be killed?

So please try and understand the situation. I am not saying that having bad feelings about this is wrong because these things annoyed the prophet very much and so the quran states but no where we are told to deal with this situation with violence and murder. Instead allah tells his messnger be kind as your are mercy for all and keep trying to educate them and don't let these things stress you to death. The blasphemy law is not islamic and it was brought in by the british for their own reasons not for protection of islam or muslims.

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Why write 2 sentences and provide a link to your blog when you can copy paste the whole lot in the post? :)

Mughal1 I hope you are fine ... I love your enthusiasm but it is tedious to continuously re-read everything that you post it's like you have template posts ready to flood the forums ... we should be concerned with the 'idea' of over information; posts like that one kill threads you know.

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:cb:

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Please continue with the dots, I don't see connection of blasphemy with someone claiming to be a prophet, thanks.

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But you see where this slippary slope takes us right? First its the one who commits blasphemy who should be killed. Next in line is the one who condones is even if he doesn't commit it himself. Next its someone who disagrees that death is the right punishment. Next one is who remains silent or doesn't lynch people and on and on it goes. Remember that Salman Taseer didn't say blasphemy was ok. All he said was the law sucks and that's reason enough for our ultra-sensitive thuggish mullahs to condemn him to death.

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

If the Sharia law was supreme in Pakistan, nobody would dare to falsely accuse a person of blasphemy nor a govt official will go on to say non-sense in Public like Governor did. What happened to him is unfortunate, he should have been put on trials.

I watched Alim aur Alam program in which few things I noticed.

  1. Hz Umer R.A killed a Muslim who came to him with a Jew of Medina. When the Jew said that your Prophet SAW did rule against the muslim in our dispute, the muslim said we should get our dispute settled with Umer. This was clearly a sign of nifaaq in that person's imaan and blasphemy on Prophet SAW. Umer took out his sword and killed this person. Later Umer was prosecuted for this murder in Prophet's court, when Allah SWT sent Jabreel AS to tell Prophet SAW that Umer was right since that Munafiq has insulted Prophet SAW and this is the right thing.

Couple of things here, how Prophet SAW did justice with Jew, shows the high values of Islamic law which doesn't care who is who when it comes to justice. Another thing is Umer's presumptive decision to behead the Munafiq on blasphemy (like other matters such as veil and use of alchohol etc) and the fact that Allah's blessings for his action and intention, that clearly a statement of what to do with a person who insult Prophet SAW.

  1. The kisra of Iran ripped the letter sent to him by Prophet SAW and what Prophet SAW said on hearing this news. What happened to Kisra and his empire is a well known history. Prophet SAW's prophecy was fulfilled in following years.

  2. To call a sharia law 'kala qanoon' is one thing and calling to amend it so it will not be misused (as it has been in Pakistan) is another. Governor saab must have watched his words before uttering. And its just not one time but he repeated them after the press conference with Aasia bibi.

My question is why Aasia bibi admitted his crime in front of hundreds of people. Even if she did because of fear why she couldn't defend it in court when higher courts assured her of justice. People that followed the court hearings say that it was right decision according to constitution of Pakistan and in compliance with Sharia law. Nobody objected if the court proceedings or evidences were incorrect.

In my opinion this law should be reviewed by a parliamentarian committee along with Ulema to make sure that no innocent gets falsely accused.

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

What is your defintion of Blasphemy?

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Mughal1! Excellent post. Lengthy but worth reading.

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Re: Blasphemy as per Quran

Leave those who claim that they are knowledgeable (Ulemas); I am surprised that how even a Muslim with little knowledge and intelligence supports Blasphemy law. Seems, it is classic case of period between post-14th Islamic century and Qiyamah, a time it was predicted that there would be many Muslims but they will be Muslim only by name, as knowledge would fall in the hands of Jahulas and they would misguide Muslims.

Islam is clear regarding people involved with blasphemy, that such people are test for patient of believers, as believers would get hurt by their words (of blasphemy) but would stay patient and would leave them alone, whereas those who would not be believers would lose patient, earning themselves a place in hell.

For instance, Muslims believe on Quran and Sunnah. Anyone who does not believe on clear instruction from Quran and Sunnah [deeds/practices of Prophet (SAW)] is not Muslim. Surprisingly, we have examples from both sources what to do about blasphemy. As for Prophet (SAW), it is historical fact that Prophet (SAW) stayed patient and ignored those who used to abuse and ridicule him (SAW), ridicule Quran, and ridicule Islam. That is obvious too, as Quran gives same direction, that is to stay patient and ignore ignorant guilty of blasphemy. Prophet (SAW) was walking Quran, and would not have done anything contradictory to Quran.

As for Quran, there are numerous ayahs that deal with the situation and give believers direction what to do in such circumstance (that is, to preserve patient and ignore person guilty of blasphemy).

Quran 4:140: Already has He sent you Word in the Book, that when you hear the signs (Revelations, Quran) of Allah held in defiance (rejected, disbelieved) and ridicule (mocked), ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them. For Allah will collect the hypocrites and those who defy faith - all in Hell:-

[In above ayah, it is clear that when we find people doing blasphemy, that is, rejecting, mocking, or ridiculing signs of Allah, we should leave them alone until/unless they change, that means they stop doing blasphemy and/or become believer. If we join them, that could happen if we keep sitting with them listening to their blasphemy, or not leave them alone, rather argue and fight them, then we would be similar to them … would become those who are either hypocrites or unbelievers. … why? I will explain that later]

Quran 73:10: And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity).

Quran 3:186: You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs.

[Note: Note: Blasphemy is something that when believers hear, it brings grief to believers, and Allah tells that such grief would be test/trial for believers from Allah, as believer would bear this grief, preserves his patient on the grief, and ignores the person giving grief by moving away from that person … and that is the condition of success in such test/trial. Those who would stay in the gathering would be unbeliever and those who would lose patient and would retaliate, would be munafiq and obvious failure, as they would not be believing on Islam for Allah but their attachment to Islam would be personal, that is, they would consider it as what they believe or what they inherited as belief (in other words, they would consider themselves theka-daar of Islam, considering Islam as theirs personal property), and then they would become intolerant, so would end up in hell.

It is just like with everything. Money, properties, life, career, children, wife, or whatever we have in life. Even though we may love them but if we believe that all what we have is of Allah, we would be patient when we lose them, but if we love them and think that it is mine (we personally own them), then we would not lose them with patient, but we would get agitated losing them and would retaliate … and that situation would show that the person is munafiq as that person might say that all what he/she has is of Allah, but he literally does not believe that].

As for ayah 5:33, that some people in ignorance quote, that ayah is nothing to do with blasphemy, it is to do with fighting those waging war against Allah and his messenger (or against Islam) and spreading mischief on land using force (something extremists in the dressing of Islam are doing these days). Here is ayah, read the ayah carefully and think.

 Surah 5:33: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;

[Note: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land … are all in a sense what happens at war]