Washington Post: As they went on their rampage, the men who killed 12 people in Paris this week yelled that they had “avenged the prophet.” They follow in the path of other terrorists who have bombed newspaper offices, stabbed a filmmaker and killed writers and translators, all to mete out what they believe is the proper Koranic punishment for blasphemy. But in fact, the Koran prescribes no punishment for blasphemy. Like so many of the most fanatical and violent aspects of Islamic terrorism today, the idea that Islam requires that insults against the prophet Muhammad be met with violence is a creation of politicians and clerics to serve a political agenda.
One holy book is deeply concerned with blasphemy: the Bible. In the Old Testament, blasphemy and blasphemers are condemned and prescribed harsh punishment. The best-known passage on this is Leviticus 24:16 : “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.”
Categories: Accepting Islam, American History, Americas, Answers to Anti-Islam, Blasphemy, Free speach, Free Speech, United States
In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious Ever Merciful
A good Article published by Fareed Zakaria on the subject of blasphemy laws. I am hundred percent agree with him. Not only no punishment by human hands has been prescribed in the Holy Quran, but also the noble examples of the Holy Prophet Mohammad(pbuh) through out his life time, that he never ever took any revenge for the sake of himself and forgave every blasphemy done about him, so blasphemy laws are not Islamic at all, however, somehow their base is in the Holy Bible.
The blasphemy laws are being used for the political ends their targets are either the poor lot of the countries or poor Minorities, who have little say or influence, more so in the countries where there is ignorance prevalent and those ignorant people take laws in their own hands these laws become more and more dangerous. In the recent past in Pakistan, the Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was short dead by his own body guard, and the body guard was made hero by the Ignorant nation. On the same pretext Ahmadi Muslims and Christens homes were set on fire and a Christen poor couple was burnt alive. The misuse of these laws are very horrible, they gave birth to extremism and least tolerance for religious vies, which is detrimental for any progressive Nation. These Laws must be repealed forthwith if we want to live with honor among the civilized Nations of the World.
Zarif Ahmad
Yes, please, readers: Read the full article! It is excellent and all Muslims need to know the details in order to help teaching Islam!