The Issue of Blasphemy

BASED ON AN ANALOGY Islam executed individuals for blasphemy. However, these incidents are unrelated, as none of the killings were solely based on blasphemy. There were other factors involved, such as the individuals being killed while fighting on the battlefield or due to acts of treason. Arguments from Jurisprudence Jurists commonly assert that anyone who commits blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam or speaks derogatory words about him should be subject to capital punishment, regardless of their religious affiliation. Various books, such as ‘Kitabul Umm’ by Al-Shafi’i; ‘Sharhul Minhaj,’ Al-Rawdah Al-Nadiyah,’ by Siddiq Hasan Khan ;‘Al-Raud Al-Basim’ by Al-Shaukani; ‘Kashf al-Qina’ ‘an Matn el ‘Iqna,’ by Mansur bin Yunus Al-Buhuti; ‘Fiqh as Sunnah’ by Sayyed Sabiq; and ‘Al Fiqh ‘ala al-Madhahib al-‘Arba’ah’ by Al-Jazari, and ‘AtTashri’ al-Jina’i al-Islami’ by Abdul Qadir Oudah, present this viewpoint. In his extensive work, Allama Ibn Taymiyyah has tried to substantiate and support this perspective with evidence and arguments in his book. He claims that there is a consensus among most Islamic scholars regarding the punishment for blasphemy. (pp. 4-5) Upon examining the books of jurisprudence, it becomes evident that jurists often rely on the opinions of early scholars when addressing these issues rather than presenting their arguments. If a renowned scholar from the early days has already issued a fatwa on a particular matter, subsequent scholars tend to follow suit without further investigation.