Blasphemy and Islam

It is said and believed by many people, including unfortunately many Muslims, that the punishment for blasphemy is death. Such an assertion is totally incorrect. The Holy Book of Islam, the Holy Quran – the source of all the guidance mentions nowhere that the punishment for blasphemy is death, nor even a lesser punishment.

One should read whole Quran, again and again, but will not find a single verse or commandment in reference to the worldly punishment of blasphemy. No doubt, according to Islam blasphemy is a crime, very despicable and offensive and provocative, but the authority of punishment is entirely in God’s hand; and only He can punish the culprit as He may like, in this world or in the hereafter.

Blasphemy means behavior or language that shows disrespect for any prophet or any religion. Blasphemy not only hurts the religious sensibilities of others, but it also disturbs the peace and harmony of any society and even causes law and order problems. No doubt, the freedom of speech is necessary for the progress and development of a society. But this freedom must not be used to insult religions. That is why Islam forbids blasphemy but does not prescribe any worldly punishment for it. The Holy Qur’an tells us that there has been no Prophet in respect of whom derogatory words were not used.

“But there never came to them a Prophet but they mocked at him.” (Ch.43 v.8)

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