From Charminar Connection

 

 At a recent ISNA convention in Dallas, Dr. Basheer Ahmed in a brilliant speech convey the message that, the Blashpemy Laws in some countries are going too far. In the speech he emphasised

The Correct Way to Deal with Blasphemy

Dr. M. Basheer Ahmed highlights a critical issue: anti-blasphemy laws, often intended to protect religious sentiments, can paradoxically incite greater hostility and violence. Instead of maintaining social harmony, these laws frequently become tools for personal vendettas and societal discord, as public sentiments override judicial processes.

 

As of 2014, 26% of the world's countries still enforced anti-blasphemy laws, according to a Pew Research Center report. In some countries, including Pakistan and India, these laws trace back to the British colonial era, where they were initially designed to curb communal tensions. However, their misuse has transformed them into mechanisms of oppression, stifling freedom of expression and fueling communal violence. A glaring example is the case of Junaid Hafeez, a Pakistani academic who was accused of blasphemy in 2013. Despite maintaining his innocence, Hafeez was sentenced to death and placed in solitary confinement, demonstrating how such laws can unjustly ruin lives.

 

The Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offer a different perspective on dealing with blasphemy. The Quran advises believers to exercise patience and ignore those who mock or ridicule religion. For instance, Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:10) states, "Have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble dignity." Such verses emphasize restraint over retribution, underscoring that ultimate judgment lies with God alone.

 

The Prophet's life further illustrates this approach. When an old woman who regularly insulted him fell ill, he visited her, showing compassion rather than anger. He also forgave Suhail bin Amr, who had blasphemed against him during the Battle of Badr, and rejected calls to execute Abd Allah b. Ubayy, a known hypocrite. These examples highlight the Prophet’s commitment to forgiveness, demonstrating that responding to blasphemy with kindness rather than violence aligns more closely with Islamic teachings.

 

Historically, some Muslim scholars have justified harsh punishments for blasphemy based on their interpretations of religious texts. However, contemporary scholars like Mohammad Hashim Kamali and Taha Jaber Al-Alwani argue that such rulings are not eternal norms but rather reflections of specific historical contexts. They point out that early scholars feared that apostates could join enemy ranks and pose a direct threat to Muslim communities. In today’s context, where there are 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide and established freedoms of speech and religion, such fears are largely unfounded.

 

Examples of how anti-blasphemy laws incite violence are plentiful. The extrajudicial killing of university student Mashal Khan in 2017 by a mob in Pakistan, Asia Bibi’s wrongful death sentence in 2010, and the assassination of prominent human rights lawyer Rashid Rehman all reveal the dangerous consequences of these laws. Public anger often supersedes legal judgment, resulting in violence that contradicts both Quranic principles and Prophetic teachings.

 

Ultimately, the correct response to blasphemy is not punishment or retribution but patience and education. Blasphemy laws do not protect religion; instead, they perpetuate cycles of violence and injustice. The Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s example teach us to respond to provocations with dignity and mercy, reminding us that true strength lies in restraint and compassion. It is time to reevaluate the application of these laws and align our responses with the authentic values of Islam.

 

From Charminar connection