The Issue of Blasphemy

undergone. Their fabricated personas gave way to their inherent nature, and they became the Prophet’s followers. The Bigger Culprit The movement among Muslims against Salman Rushdie was purportedly carried out in the name of protecting the honour of the Prophet of Islam. However, regarding its outcomes, this movement has only undermined the Prophet’s honour. According to the Quran, the distinctive status of the Prophet of Islam is that of a Prophet of Mercy (21:107). Yet, this so-called movement centred around allegations of blasphemy has unfortunately portrayed him, God forbid, as a ‘Prophet of violence.’ The agitations led by Muslims against Salman Rushdie escalated into acts of violence in various locations, resulting in loss of life and property. Such actions are unlawful and tarnish the reputation of the Prophet of Islam. For instance, it was reported by London News that on the morning of July 2, 1989, one of the largest bookstores in central London, ‘Collet’s,’ was partially destroyed by a firebomb suspected to have been thrown by anti-Rushdie protesters (The Times of India, July 7, 1989, p.14). This incident was reported by ‘The Times of India’ (July 7, 1989). ‘Qaumi Awaaz’ (July 7, 1989) also mentioned this news with this addition that no copies of “The Satanic Verses” had been sold from this London store since Christmas (p. 2).