Christian man in Lahore sentenced to death over blasphemous WhatsApp text

[QazzarFan]

A Christian man in Lahore has been sentenced to death for blasphemy after he sent a Muslim friend a poem on WhatsApp that insulted Islam, a lawyer said Friday.

The accused was charged in July last year after his friend, Yasir Bashir, complained to police that he received a poem on the messaging app that was derogatory toward the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and other holy figures.

The accused “was handed a death sentence by the court on Thursday on blasphemy charges,” defence lawyer Anjum Wakeel told AFP , alleging that his client was been framed by Bashir.

“My client will appeal the sentence in the high court as he has been framed by his friend who was annoyed over his [the accused's] affair with a Muslim girl,” Wakeel said.

He said the trial was held inside a prison due to security reasons after local clerics had threatened the accused and his family.

Court officials confirmed the sentence.
Blasphemy has been a contentious issue in the country where people have been murdered over allegations of sacrilege. Earlier this year, a mob in Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan beat up a student, Mashal Khan, to death after accusing him of blasphemy over social media.

The incident caused an outrage across the country, with calls for the blasphemy law to be amended. The investigation into Mashal's murder was concluded after a joint investigation team probing the case cleared him of all blasphemy charges.

Pakistan is cracking down against blasphemy related crimes on social media with former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar threatening to block all social media websites with 'blasphemous content' earlier this year.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1357850

These laws must be scrapped.

 

[Slog]

This is sad but the laws are what they are so people need to be a bit smart and careful

A fair trial should be carried out to see he is not being framed

And obv the long term aim should be to somehow repeal these draconian laws but currently they are the letter of the law so people need to be a bit smart and not wilfully break them to prove a point. This is similar to ridiculous Holocaust denial laws in places like Austria, Romani where you can be punished for denying holocaust

 

[ToeCrusher2]

This is similar to ridiculous Holocaust denial laws in places like Austria, Romani where you can be punished for denying holocaust

Really? Do they sentence you to death in those countries for denying holocaust? Also, holocaust was a very real and recent event in world history in which millions of people died, what is the blasphemy law based on? This is in no way similar to holocaust denial laws but can't expect better logic from imran khan fans, after all he also gave this absurd logic.

 

[Black Zero]

This is sad but the laws are what they are so people need to be a bit smart and careful

A fair trial should be carried out to see he is not being framed

And obv the long term aim should be to somehow repeal these draconian laws but currently they are the letter of the law so people need to be a bit smart and not wilfully break them to prove a point. This is similar to ridiculous Holocaust denial laws in places like Austria, Romani where you can be punished for denying holocaust

What do you mean by fair trail?

These "laws" are barbaric and need to be stopped. There should not be ifs or buts ...
Civilized world must shame pakistan everyday and stop every kind of cooperation til pakistan demonstrate some will to become a civilized country.

 

[Slog]

What do you mean by fair trail?

These "laws" are barbaric and need to be stopped. There should not be ifs or buts ...
Civilized world must shame pakistan everyday and stop every kind of cooperation til pakistan demonstrate some will to become a civilized country.

fair trial means that often these laws are used to persecute minorities for personal revenge based on trumped up charges. So it must be ensured that is not the case here. That this is not some fake charge to take revenge

As Ive said the aim and ideal thing would be to repeal these barbaric laws but in the mean time you have to live in the reality and work with whats present. Just saying 'repeal the law' is lazy and frankly doesnt help anyone stuck in this. People are much better served by actual discussion and ways to ensure this is not used as a tool for personal vendettas.

As for Indians: I really couldnt care less what they think. Their country is a mess where people get killed for eating the wrong kind of meat and which elected a mass murderer. So their opinion has less worth than what is found in their fields and roadside due to a lack of toilets in their country

 

[rahulrulezz]

My neighbours are Pakistani Christians and they left the country cuz their life was in danger. Trust me, the stories of bullying and hate they faced as kids in Pakistan , can bring tears in your eyes.

Also, percentage of Christians and Hindus have decreased in Pakistan and have been declining since 1947. Compare that to increase in population growth of Christians, Muslims in India.

Regardless, Indian Christians are one of integrated and most progressive religion in India. They don't mind having Indian Sanskrit names (Varun Aaron)as their roots are from India. Most of my mallu Christian friends have Sanskrit name and probably the most patriotic out of all

 

[Musakhel]

lol My neighbours are Pakistani Christians and they left the country cuz their life was in danger. Trust me, the stories of bullying and hate they faced as kids in Pakistan , can bring tears in your eyes.

Also, percentage of Christians and Hindus have decreased in Pakistan and have been declining since 1947. Compare that to increase in population growth of Christians, Muslims in India.

Regardless, Indian Christians are one of integrated and most progressive religion in India. They don't mind having Indian Sanskrit names (Varun Aaron)as their roots are from India. Most of my mallu Christian friends have Sanskrit name and probably the most patriotic out of all

Hindu numbers are actually increasing.

 

[PakLFC]

We are obsessed with blasphemy. Obviously the powers that be do not realise the damage this stupid law does to Pakistan's reputation. They are always looking for something like this to happen.

 

[Syed1]

My neighbours are Pakistani Christians and they left the country cuz their life was in danger. Trust me, the stories of bullying and hate they faced as kids in Pakistan , can bring tears in your eyes.

Also, percentage of Christians and Hindus have decreased in Pakistan and have been declining since 1947. Compare that to increase in population growth of Christians, Muslims in India.

Regardless, Indian Christians are one of integrated and most progressive religion in India. They don't mind having Indian Sanskrit names (Varun Aaron)as their roots are from India. Most of my mallu Christian friends have Sanskrit name and probably the most patriotic out of all

The only reason Hindu and Christian population has declined is because majority of them were residents of then East Pakistan and therefore are part of Bangladesh now.


My neighbours are Indian Muslims and they ran away from India because of the hardships they faced there and have been facing since 1947.



See not very hard to make a false claim over the internet.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Precisely. The law means nothing if the courts themselves are made up of the same people who share the ideology of the accused. Otherwise might as well respect the Pakistani courts that release supposed terrorists due to lack of evidence, but will Indians accept that? no, there is the total hypocrisy.

On topic, these laws are archaic and need to be modified, but until they are, it is pretty stupid to ignore them.

 

[Slog]

My neighbours are Pakistani Christians and they left the country cuz their life was in danger. Trust me, the stories of bullying and hate they faced as kids in Pakistan , can bring tears in your eyes.

Also, percentage of Christians and Hindus have decreased in Pakistan and have been declining since 1947. Compare that to increase in population growth of Christians, Muslims in India.

Regardless, Indian Christians are one of integrated and most progressive religion in India. They don't mind having Indian Sanskrit names (Varun Aaron)as their roots are from India. Most of my mallu Christian friends have Sanskrit name and probably the most patriotic out of all

Hindu numbers are actually increasing (if you just look at West Pakistan ie current day Pakistan)

but yeah carry on....

 

[Chrish]

Pathetic and laughable if true.. triumphs anything stupid even Indians have done recently which says something

 

[Slog]

Pathetic and laughable if true.. triumphs anything stupid even Indians have done recently which says something

There is nothing laughable about it tbh.

Its actually said but I guess you enjoy and find your humor in it just because Pakistan is involved.

Maybe not you personally but thats the reaction of many of your countrymen. Screw the life of the guy involved. As long as it gives good fodder to feel good about India's own problems and make fun of Pakistan. Just a pathetic one-upsmanship game for you isnt it?

Keep on laughing.

 

[Chrish]

Even if he texted what is being claimed, is that enough to punish someone, much less sentence them to death?

Kinda like living in backward 12th century Europe where churches used to burn those questioning the authority

 

[Slog]

Even if he texted what is being claimed, is that enough to punish someone, much less sentence them to death?

Kinda like living in backward 12th century Europe where churches used to burn those questioning the authority

Of course it is not. But these are what the laws are and have to be followed. Not the first society or country with a ridiculous law

The aim should be to eventually get rid of these laws but till they are there one shouldnt needlessly flout them.

But just lazy commentary such as 'repeal the law,' 'haha look at Pakistan and their treatment of minorities' is pointless, helps no one and adds no value.

 

[Jadz]

Firstly, there is no concept of 'blasphemy' or 'apostasy' in Islam - both are borrowed from Christianity.

Secondly, for as long as Muslim governments, groups and individuals persecute and kill non-Muslims, non-Muslims will continue to persecute and kill Muslims.

Thirdly and finally, the hatred exhibited by Pakistanis and Indians on this - and other threads - towards each other is one reason conflicts and violence in the sub-Continent are never-ending. Either Asians are intellectually dead, brainwashed fools, or, they love hate more than peace.

Shame on those who perpetuate hatred between and amongst Pakistanis and Indians.

 

[Chrish]

Of course it is not. But these are what the laws are and have to be followed. Not the first society or country with a ridiculous law

The aim should be to eventually get rid of these laws but till they are there one shouldnt needlessly flout them.

But just lazy commentary such as 'repeal the law,' 'haha look at Pakistan and their treatment of minorities' is pointless, helps no one and adds no value.

There is no room for such laws in this day and age. It reflects the complete failure of the government and its people.

Funny how people constantly ask why their country can't match others when the answer is right in front of them.

 

[Chrish]

I would like to know how things work in India. Can government prosecute you if you made religiously offensive remarks? And if yes what would be the extent of the punishment?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Firstly, there is no concept of 'blasphemy' or 'apostasy' in Islam - both are borrowed from Christianity.

Secondly, for as long as Muslim governments, groups and individuals persecute and kill non-Muslims, non-Muslims will continue to persecute and kill Muslims.

Thirdly and finally, the hatred exhibited by Pakistanis and Indians on this - and other threads - towards each other is one reason conflicts and violence in the sub-Continent are never-ending. Either Asians are intellectually dead, brainwashed fools, or, they love hate more than peace.

Shame on those who perpetuate hatred between and amongst Pakistanis and Indians.

With all due respects to you Jadz, that's quite a sweeping statement to make when there are various religious viewpoints regarding this issue. It isn't the mainstream view.

This isn't too dissimilar to some Hindus saying there is no birth based caste system in Hinduism using a Bhagavat Gita reference which again isn't the mainstream view.

I think PP has seen this discussion done to death.

 

[akki]

I would like to know how things work in India. Can government prosecute you if you made religiously offensive remarks? And if yes what would be the extent of the punishment?

Go to you tube watch akrabudin owaisi speech on hindus god in front of thousand muslims. And many have literally abused hindus gods live on record. Abused god rama or goddess sita.
And tge same some rss like sakshi maharaj etc also have literally abused muslims , i'm not sure they have abused muslim god, but even if they i wont be surprised and though some mullahs did issues fatwas against them and all in india. but who cares.
In india hardly anything happens. At most you wud be charged for disturbing tge peace of the region if you conduct some jaloos and openly abuse. But over a watsapp msg or facebook post etc or death sentence would be the last thing we cud even imagine.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

There is no room for such laws in this day and age. It reflects the complete failure of the government and its people.

Funny how people constantly ask why their country can't match others when the answer is right in front of them.

There is no room for such laws in this day and age, and yet there they are - because quite clearly the third world live in a different day and age to the rest of us. We can't wish the laws away, it's a matter which needs to be addressed sensitively if there is going to be change. The first step would be to get this Christian fellow saved from a death sentence, his supporters can help here by making it clear that he had no intention of causing the offence he is accused of.

The laws of blasphemy themselves can only be repealed by educating the public so they won't support such laws in the first place.

 

[Slog]

Go to you tube watch akrabudin owaisi speech on hindus god in front of thousand muslims. And many have literally abused hindus gods live on record. Abused god rama or goddess sita.
And tge same some rss like sakshi maharaj etc also have literally abused muslims , i'm not sure they have abused muslim god, but even if they i wont be surprised and though some mullahs did issues fatwas against them and all in india. but who cares.
In india hardly anything happens. At most you wud be charged for disturbing tge peace of the region if you conduct some jaloos and openly abuse. But over a watsapp msg or facebook post etc or death sentence would be the last thing we cud even imagine.

there have been riots in india over facebook posts!

and india does have blasphemy laws for christianity and islam

learn about your country for goddsake

in any case what is your point?

 

[akki]

there have been riots in india over facebook posts!

and india does have blasphemy laws for christianity and islam

learn about your country for goddsake

in any case what is your point?

Oh bhai mere ...hadd hi hogyi ...i literally get irritated when someone replies whithout even have an iota of knowledge about the subject we are talking about.
He was not asking about riots. he was asking about official punishment by laws .
i know some hindu guy in west bengal did some comment recently on f.b and muslims mobs destroyed whole cities and demanded that 17 year old kid to be handed over them .
And bjp govt our best govt till now is going to change these laws soon as well. There will be one uniform civil law for 125 crore people. Though some peoppe will say hindudtva and all , but nobody cares. it already took a lot from this govt to remove triply talaaq by f.b or message. lets see.
But you wont be jailed for so long or get death sentence here for sure.

 

[Jadz]

With all due respects to you Jadz, that's quite a sweeping statement to make when there are various religious viewpoints regarding this issue. It isn't the mainstream view.

This isn't too dissimilar to some Hindus saying there is no birth based caste system in Hinduism using a Bhagavat Gita reference which again isn't the mainstream view.

I think PP has seen this discussion done to death.

Appreciate your response, thank you.

Yes, you are right, in that the majority believe that both blasphemy and apostasy exist in Islam. I am by no means disputing that.

I do not, however, follow or adhere to majority opinion without first examining the basis of it. As a student of the Qur'an, it became apparent, over the course of time, that many beliefs held by Muslims did not originate with it, but were an outcome of interpretations of, or scholarly works based upon, it.

It is important to respect everyone's sincerely held belief, but not when it means the lives of innocent human beings are at stake, nor when, therefore, they conflict with the precepts and principles, laws and guidance from the Qur'an.


http://www.jazaadeen.com/viewcontent.php?id=130

 

[akki]

There is no room for such laws in this day and age, and yet there they are - because quite clearly the third world live in a different day and age to the rest of us. We can't wish the laws away, it's a matter which needs to be addressed sensitively if there is going to be change. The first step would be to get this Christian fellow saved from a death sentence, his supporters can help here by making it clear that he had no intention of causing the offence he is accused of.

The laws of blasphemy themselves can only be repealed by educating the public so they won't support such laws in the first place.

Even if he abused live on record and challenge muslims or muslims god in front of his many supporters, the law cannot give death sentence in any civilized world. At most he cud be arrested and dnt expect much punishment.
Forget about if he apologised or didnt intent to.

 

[Slog]

Oh bhai mere ...hadd hi hogyi ...i literally get irritated when someone replies whithout even have an iota of knowledge about the subject we are talking about.
He was not asking about riots. he was asking about official punishment by laws .
i know some hindu guy in west bengal did some comment recently on f.b and muslims mobs destroyed whole cities and demanded that 17 year old kid to be handed over them .
And bjp govt our best govt till now is going to change these laws soon as well. There will be one uniform civil law for 125 crore people. Though some peoppe will say hindudtva and all , but nobody cares. it already took a lot from this govt to remove triply talaaq by f.b or message. lets see.
But you wont be jailed for so long or get death sentence here for sure.

you said that messages over whatsapp or social media wont have a reaction like this

i just pointed out an instance where it does

learn to follow your own points sometimes.

 

[Slog]

Appreciate your response, thank you.

Yes, you are right, in that the majority believe that both blasphemy and apostasy exist in Islam. I am by no means disputing that.

I do not, however, follow or adhere to majority opinion without first examining the basis of it. As a student of the Qur'an, it became apparent, over the course of time, that many beliefs held by Muslims did not originate with it, but were an outcome of interpretations of, or scholarly works based upon, it.

It is important to respect everyone's sincerely held belief, but not when it means the lives of innocent human beings are at stake, nor when, therefore, they conflict with the precepts and principles, laws and guidance from the Qur'an.


http://www.jazaadeen.com/viewcontent.php?id=130

How does it help though?

What do you achieve by saying - 'this is not Islam!' Especially when you yourself admit that your opinion is not the popular opinion?

Basically what is achieved by saying that 'this is not Islam' on a horrendous act committed by Muslims professing to carry out that act in the name of Islam?

And who is to say your interpretation should precedence over theirs?

 

[Chrish]

There is no room for such laws in this day and age, and yet there they are - because quite clearly the third world live in a different day and age to the rest of us. We can't wish the laws away, it's a matter which needs to be addressed sensitively if there is going to be change. The first step would be to get this Christian fellow saved from a death sentence, his supporters can help here by making it clear that he had no intention of causing the offence he is accused of.

The laws of blasphemy themselves can only be repealed by educating the public so they won't support such laws in the first place.

You are right.. Getting this guy out of this mess would be good for the start.

 

[akki]

you said that messages over whatsapp or social media wont have a reaction like this

i just pointed out an instance where it does

learn to follow your own points sometimes.

What i talked about was only about law. Riots etc is different subject.

 

[Chrish]

Go to you tube watch akrabudin owaisi speech on hindus god in front of thousand muslims. And many have literally abused hindus gods live on record. Abused god rama or goddess sita.
And tge same some rss like sakshi maharaj etc also have literally abused muslims , i'm not sure they have abused muslim god, but even if they i wont be surprised and though some mullahs did issues fatwas against them and all in india. but who cares.
In india hardly anything happens. At most you wud be charged for disturbing tge peace of the region if you conduct some jaloos and openly abuse. But over a watsapp msg or facebook post etc or death sentence would be the last thing we cud even imagine.

We aren't talking about public uproar which is separate issue. What I want to know is can you get in trouble with the law?

 

[Black Zero]

There are several verses in Quran and several hadis/historical facts (like prophet of islam ordering to kill insulting poets)...tells the only truth...

"Moderates" try their best gymnastics to confuse but in this age...they just cannot.

 

[akki]

We aren't talking about public uproar which is separate issue. What I want to know is can you get in trouble with the law?

India does not have a blasphemy law which punishes an individual for critisizing the concept of GOD or religious beliefs….. and no individual can be punished for leaving his/her religion or converting to another religion. Apostasy is not punishable in any way, but can be used as a ground for divorce (does not automatically lead to).

Missionaries and Dawah groups are having a heyday in India. And we have communist parties too.

2. Hinduism, India's dominant religion, being polytheistic and pantheistic, does not have the concept of blasphemy, and laws pertaining to religion and blasphemy are absent in the Indian constitution. While India has no laws that specifically prohibit blasphemy, section 295A of the Indian Penal Code has been used as a blasphemy law.

There have been widespread calls in India to repeal the this regressive British era code.

3. The act '295A' says :

"Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage reli*gious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or reli*gious beliefs.—Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 4[three years], or with fine, or with both."

4. This law is similar to the ones available in Western countries like Canada, Denmark, Finland etc. It's mostly used for preventing hate speeches and sometimes for political appeasement.

 

[Chrish]

India does not have a blasphemy law which punishes an individual for critisizing the concept of GOD or religious beliefs….. and no individual can be punished for leaving his/her religion or converting to another religion. Apostasy is not punishable in any way, but can be used as a ground for divorce (does not automatically lead to).

Missionaries and Dawah groups are having a heyday in India. And we have communist parties too.

2. Hinduism, India's dominant religion, being polytheistic and pantheistic, does not have the concept of blasphemy, and laws pertaining to religion and blasphemy are absent in the Indian constitution. While India has no laws that specifically prohibit blasphemy, section 295A of the Indian Penal Code has been used as a blasphemy law.

There have been widespread calls in India to repeal the this regressive British era code.

3. The act '295A' says :

"Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage reli*gious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or reli*gious beliefs.—Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 4[three years], or with fine, or with both."

4. This law is similar to the ones available in Western countries like Canada, Denmark, Finland etc. It's mostly used for preventing hate speeches and sometimes for political appeasement.

I see thanks. Pretty backward but I guess not as ridiculous as death sentence.

 

[Musakhel]

There are several verses in Quran and several hadis/historical facts (like prophet of islam ordering to kill insulting poets)...tells the only truth...

"Moderates" try their best gymnastics to confuse but in this age...they just cannot.

Any so called moderate can not bring new interpretations, all these matters have been discussed to death by classical scholars, moderates are just new age revisionist they should start their own religion.

 

[GBK_Fan]

Read this on the Facebook feed of my Pakistani friend. It seems the guy making the accusation was in love with the Christian guys girlfriend, who is a Muslim. This allegation was a revenge plot. Not sure if true

 

[Poutine]

My neighbours are Pakistani Christians and they left the country cuz their life was in danger. Trust me, the stories of bullying and hate they faced as kids in Pakistan , can bring tears in your eyes.

Also, percentage of Christians and Hindus have decreased in Pakistan and have been declining since 1947. Compare that to increase in population growth of Christians, Muslims in India.

Regardless, Indian Christians are one of integrated and most progressive religion in India. They don't mind having Indian Sanskrit names (Varun Aaron)as their roots are from India. Most of my mallu Christian friends have Sanskrit name and probably the most patriotic out of all

Some Indian poster keep repeating this pretty much in every second post. Do you have any sort of research or facts to back this up or do some of you guys just keep parroting this because it suits your agenda? Also its ridiculous to use numbers from 1947 as that included Bangladesh as well.

 

[Black Zero]

Read this on the Facebook feed of my Pakistani friend. It seems the guy making the accusation was in love with the Christian guys girlfriend, who is a Muslim. This allegation was a revenge plot. Not sure if true

Court has passed the verdict of death sentence.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Even if he abused live on record and challenge muslims or muslims god in front of his many supporters, the law cannot give death sentence in any civilized world. At most he cud be arrested and dnt expect much punishment.
Forget about if he apologised or didnt intent to.

That was my point, we aren't talking about what you would describe as the civilised world, Pakistan is very much a less developed country with less developed laws.

 

[Jadz]

How does it help though?

What do you achieve by saying - 'this is not Islam!' Especially when you yourself admit that your opinion is not the popular opinion?

Basically what is achieved by saying that 'this is not Islam' on a horrendous act committed by Muslims professing to carry out that act in the name of Islam?

And who is to say your interpretation should precedence over theirs?

With the greatest of respect, it is absolutely necessary to make clear that certain beliefs and practices, prevalent amongst Muslims, do not originate from the Qur'an, but are borrowed from contacts with, or are influenced by, other communities.

For instance, Pakistanis - most Muslims in the sub-Continent - have adopted the caste system from India/Hindus, and as such, will not marry outside of their 'caste'. Now, either we make categorically clear that this system is alien to Islam, or people will naturally assume that it is.

The question is not: 'is it helpful', the real question is: 'is it truthful'.

As for 'precedence' in terms of interpretation: again, I am not seeking to impose my understanding of the Qur'an upon anyone, but merely providing you (in the general sense, and not you in particular) with the benefit of my (limited) knowledge.

This is why I repeat, with depressing regularity, that it is incumbent upon Muslims not to rely upon scholars, schools of thought and sects, but to take responsibility for their beliefs by studying the Qur'an for themselves. It is the only way evil practices, such as the one highlighted on this thread, will be ended.

''There shall be no coercion in matters of Faith" Q2:256, makes it more than clear that compulsion in religion is prohibited. So, Muslims are free to practice Islam, or abandon it and become Christians, or whatever else they want. This is because faith, or a set of beliefs, cannot be forced upon anyone.

The Torah, Leviticus 24:16
"Whoever blasphemes the Name of the Lord is to be put to death; the whole community must stone him. If he blasphemes the Name, he is to be put to death, whether the foreign resident or the native.


There is nothing even closely resembling such a commandment or law in the Qur'an. Remember that many of the statutes in the Bible have been abrogated by Allah SwT, with the Qur'an superseding them.

Q6:33-34
Well do WE know that what such people say grieves you indeed: yet, behold, it is not you to whom they give the lie, but Allah's Messages do these evildoers deny.
And, indeed, (even) before your time have apostles been given the lie, and they endured with patience all those charges of falsehoods, and all the hurt done to them, till help came to them from US: for there is no power that could alter (the outcome of) Allah's promises. And some of the histories of those apostles have already come within your ken.

Thus, the above passages reveal that people have always mocked the Prophets (pbut), rejected the messages entrusted to them as well as Allah SwT's existence, sometimes they have employed extreme violence in their opposition, but He has not instructed Muslims to put people to death for blaspheming against Him, or His Messengers.

Allah SwT knows best.

 

[Black Zero]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qisas





Qisas and blasphemy

Under Sunni and Shia sharia, neither Qisas nor another punishment applies against anyone who kills a Muslim or non-Muslim for blaspheming (tashtimu, sabb al rasool) the Prophet or Islam.[35][36] This principle is derived from the hadiths such as,[35]

Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: A Jewess used to abuse the Prophet and disparage him. A man strangled her till she died. The Apostle of Allah declared that no recompense was payable for her blood.

— Sunan Abu Dawood, 38:4349


Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas: A blind man had a slave-mother who used to abuse the Prophet and disparage him. (...) So he took a dagger, placed it on her belly, pressed it, and killed her. (...) He sat before the Prophet and said: Apostle of Allah! I am her master; she used to abuse you and disparage you. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her, but she did not abandon her habit. I have two sons like pearls from her, and she was my companion. Last night she began to abuse and disparage you. So I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her. Thereupon the Prophet said: Oh be witness, no retaliation [Qisas] is payable for her blood.

— Sunan Abu Dawood, 38:4348

 

[shaz619]

With the greatest of respect, it is absolutely necessary to make clear that certain beliefs and practices, prevalent amongst Muslims, do not originate from the Qur'an, but are borrowed from contacts with, or are influenced by, other communities.

For instance, Pakistanis - most Muslims in the sub-Continent - have adopted the caste system from India/Hindus, and as such, will not marry outside of their 'caste'. Now, either we make categorically clear that this system is alien to Islam, or people will naturally assume that it is.

The question is not: 'is it helpful', the real question is: 'is it truthful'.

As for 'precedence' in terms of interpretation: again, I am not seeking to impose my understanding of the Qur'an upon anyone, but merely providing you (in the general sense, and not you in particular) with the benefit of my (limited) knowledge.

This is why I repeat, with depressing regularity, that it is incumbent upon Muslims not to rely upon scholars, schools of thought and sects, but to take responsibility for their beliefs by studying the Qur'an for themselves. It is the only way evil practices, such as the one highlighted on this thread, will be ended.

''There shall be no coercion in matters of Faith" Q2:256, makes it more than clear that compulsion in religion is prohibited. So, Muslims are free to practice Islam, or abandon it and become Christians, or whatever else they want. This is because faith, or a set of beliefs, cannot be forced upon anyone.

The Torah, Leviticus 24:16
"Whoever blasphemes the Name of the Lord is to be put to death; the whole community must stone him. If he blasphemes the Name, he is to be put to death, whether the foreign resident or the native.


There is nothing even closely resembling such a commandment or law in the Qur'an. Remember that many of the statutes in the Bible have been abrogated by Allah SwT, with the Qur'an superseding them.

Q6:33-34
Well do WE know that what such people say grieves you indeed: yet, behold, it is not you to whom they give the lie, but Allah's Messages do these evildoers deny.
And, indeed, (even) before your time have apostles been given the lie, and they endured with patience all those charges of falsehoods, and all the hurt done to them, till help came to them from US: for there is no power that could alter (the outcome of) Allah's promises. And some of the histories of those apostles have already come within your ken.

Thus, the above passages reveal that people have always mocked the Prophets (pbut), rejected the messages entrusted to them as well as Allah SwT's existence, sometimes they have employed extreme violence in their opposition, but He has not instructed Muslims to put people to death for blaspheming against Him, or His Messengers.

Allah SwT knows best.

POTW, Jadz always provides some amazing insight on Islam. Very knowledgeable poster, I also like how you're not confrontational when it comes to these issues like others.

 

[Black Zero]

From Sahih Bukhari:

Volume 5, Book 59, Number 369:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:

Allah's Apostle said, "Who is willing to kill Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?" Thereupon Muhammad bin Maslama got up saying, "O Allah's Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?" The Prophet said, "Yes," Muhammad bin Maslama said, "Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab). "The Prophet said, "You may say it."


"Crime" of this poet was that he had hurt Allah and His apostle.

 

[Black Zero]

Quran sura ahzab(33)
verse: 57

Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment.

then next couple of verses talk about couple of other categories and in verse 61 states the punishment :

verse61:
Accursed wherever they are found, [being] seized and massacred completely.


There are also other verses but there is no additional benefit as there is no confusion on this issue...you just need to look at the official stance of two enemy islamic countries...Saudi Arabia and
Iran.

 

[Jadz]

For the record: Hadith is not in any way comparable to the Qur'an, which is the infallible word of Allah SwT. Those who like to quote from it, only in order to contradict Qur'anic teachings, have an agenda. They also love to take Verses of the Qur'an out of context. Regrettable and unfortunate.

My address to all Muslims: do not be provoked, incited or enraged - but do seek out the truth for yourselves, study the Qur'an, its language and grammar, and share your knowledge, acquired wisdom with other Muslims, with the world.

 

[Jadz]

POTW, Jadz always provides some amazing insight on Islam. Very knowledgeable poster, I also like how you're not confrontational when it comes to these issues like others.

Thank you Brother. We all possess knowledge which we ought to share, that is the way we learn from one another.