The Issue of Blasphemy

AN INTERACTION responses should be rooted in Islamic ethics and presented as scholarly arguments rather than resorting to retaliatory provocation. By adhering to this principle, Muslim leaders can better serve Islam. Wrong Representation Few instances in recent times have incited such a strong reaction from Muslims as the anger provoked by Salman Rushdie’s book. Numerous statements and articles have been published in Urdu, English, Arabic, and other languages to express opposition to his work. The essence of all these reactions can be summarized by a Muslim spokesperson’s statement to ‘The Times of India’ (March 1, 1989), which reads as follows: “We, as Muslims, like any human beings, should have the right to feel offended when our beloved ones are depicted as prostitutes.” This statement, which uses the reaction of an ordinary person as a gauge to measure the response of Muslims, highlights an apparent misconception. The reaction of Muslims should be guided by the conduct of the Prophet of Islam rather than the behaviour of their fellow human beings. Therefore, since the parameters that govern the response of Muslims are religious, they should be evaluated in light of the Quran and Sunnah, not the actions of ordinary individuals. In his book, Salman Rushdie ridiculed the Prophet for having multiple wives, referring to his household, God