IBN TAYMIYYAH’S BOOK

example, Muslims can respond to verbal attacks using the same medium of expression, comparable to journalism at that time. Strangely, Ibn Taymiyyah deduces from this incident the idea that an attack on Islam with words is more severe than a physical attack. Consequently, he advocates for death as the only punishment for those who engage in such verbal attacks. Ibn Taymiyyah’s argument is indeed perplexing. The Sunnah of the Prophet clearly demonstrates that responding to the opponents of Islam should be done with words, as it is the most effective approach. However, Ibn Taymiyyah reaches the strange conclusion that the blasphemer must be killed because their attack on Islam is deemed more serious than a physical attack with a sword. If words are more potent than arrows and swords, it would be more practical to employ this powerful tool for defence rather than resorting to a relatively ineffective method. 4. Regarding Abdullah bin Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites in Madinah, who insulted and tormented the Prophet, the Prophet did not order his killing. Abdullah bin Ubayy died a natural death in Madinah. Ibn Taymiyyah explains this by suggesting that the Prophet refrained from killing him because he feared it would weaken Islam, which was considered fragile at that time. However, Ibn Taymiyyah’s explanation is illogical. If Islam were weak during the time of Abdullah bin Ubayy, it would have made more sense for the Prophet to take decisive