The Issue of Blasphemy

Ikrima had committed various crimes against the Prophet, ranging from verbal abuse to physical aggression. By all accounts, he deserved punishment. However, the Prophet of Islam was not driven by a desire for revenge or violence; he was a caller to the truth. He possessed a vision that looked beyond the present, foreseeing the potential transformation of Ikrima. This vision led him to forgive Ikrima unilaterally. Subsequent events proved the accuracy of the Prophet’s judgment. The ‘enemy,’ Ikrima, eventually became a ‘friend.’ The man who once embodied disbelief in his early life later became a steadfast pillar of Islam. Case of Muslims Showing Disrespect to the Prophet According to Ibn Ishaq, Abu Ubaydah bin Muhammad narrated with reference to Miqsam Abu al-Qasim, “I and Talid bin Kilaab al-Laythi came to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘As when he was circumambulating the Kabah. We asked him if he was present when a man from Banu Tamim named Dhul-Khuwaysirah approached the Prophet on the day of Hunain. Abdullah bin ‘Amr confirmed that he was there. Dhul-Khuwaysirah stood beside the Prophet while he was distributing the spoils of war. Dhul-Khuwaysirah then said to the Prophet, “O Muhammad, I have observed your actions today.” The Prophet responded by asking him what he had seen. Dhul-Khuwaysirah replied, “I did not witness justice from you.”