The Islamic Prohibition on Insulting Islam
Closely related to apostasy laws are Islamic blasphemy laws—legal systems that criminalize "insulting" Islam, Muhammad, or the Quran. While apostasy deals with leaving Islam, blasphemy laws target anyone (Muslim or non-Muslim) who criticizes, questions, or mocks Islamic teachings. These laws trace directly back to Muhammad himself and have resulted in countless deaths over 1,400 years.
"Whoever curses a Prophet, kill him. Whoever curses my Companions, beat him." — Hadith reported by Al-Tabarani
Muhammad's Treatment of Critics
Islamic sources document Muhammad's violent response to those who mocked or criticized him:
Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf
A Jewish poet who wrote verses critical of Muhammad. In 624 CE, Muhammad asked: "Who will deal with Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf? He has maligned Allah and His Messenger." Muhammad ibn Maslama volunteered and subsequently assassinated Ka'b through deception. (Sahih Bukhari 4037)
Asma bint Marwan
A female poet who composed verses criticizing Muhammad for assassinating Ka'b. According to Ibn Sa'd's Tabaqat, Muhammad asked: "Who will rid me of Marwan's daughter?" A man named Umayr bin Adiy went to her house that night and killed her while she slept, her children beside her.
Abu Afak
A 120-year-old Jewish man who wrote poetry against Muhammad. Muhammad said: "Who will deal with this rascal for me?" Salim ibn Umayr killed him while he slept. (Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah)
The Meccans Who Mocked Muhammad
When Muhammad conquered Mecca in 630 CE, he granted general amnesty with specific exceptions: people who had mocked or satirized him were to be killed, even if found clinging to the curtains of the Kaaba (the holiest site in Islam). Some were executed; others were spared only after begging for mercy.
These historical accounts establish a precedent: insulting Muhammad or Islam warrants death.
Classical Islamic Law on Blasphemy
Islamic jurisprudence developed detailed blasphemy laws based on Muhammad's example:
Imam Malik (founder of the Maliki school) said: "Whoever curses the Prophet, peace be upon him, Muslim or non-Muslim, must be killed."
Ibn Taymiyyah (14th century) wrote extensively that insulting Muhammad requires execution, whether the person repents or not. He stated: "The one who curses the Prophet must be killed, and his repentance is not accepted."
Reliance of the Traveller (classical Shafi'i manual): "When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed... Leaving Islam includes... reviling Allah or His messenger."
All four Sunni schools of law agree that insulting Muhammad warrants execution, though they differ on whether non-Muslims must be killed immediately or first offered the chance to convert.
Blasphemy Laws in Contemporary Islamic Countries
Pakistan
Pakistan has the world's most notorious blasphemy laws, inherited from British colonial law but dramatically expanded in the 1980s:
- Section 295-A: Insulting religion (up to 10 years imprisonment)
- Section 295-B: Defiling the Quran (life imprisonment)
- Section 295-C: Insulting Muhammad (mandatory death penalty)
These laws are regularly abused to settle personal grudges, target religious minorities, and silence dissent. Accusations alone can result in mob violence.
Famous Cases:
- Asia Bibi (2010-2019): Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Muhammad during an argument. Spent 8 years on death row before acquittal. Had to flee Pakistan.
- Shahbaz Bhatti (2011): Pakistan's Minister for Minorities Affairs, a Catholic, was assassinated for opposing blasphemy laws.
- Salman Taseer (2011): Governor of Punjab assassinated by his own bodyguard for defending Asia Bibi and criticizing blasphemy laws. The assassin became a hero to many Pakistani Muslims.
- Mashal Khan (2017): University student beaten to death by mob of fellow students after being accused of blasphemy. Later found innocent.
According to the Centre for Social Justice in Pakistan, at least 1,855 people were accused under blasphemy laws between 1987 and 2020.
Saudi Arabia
No codified blasphemy law, but Sharia courts routinely punish blasphemy with flogging, imprisonment, or death. Raif Badawi received 1,000 lashes and 10 years for blog posts critical of religious authorities.
Iran
Blasphemy falls under "moharebeh" (enmity against God) or "corruption on earth," both capital crimes. Numerous bloggers, poets, and activists have been executed for blasphemy.
Afghanistan
Blasphemy is punishable by death under Sharia. In 2008, journalism student Sayed Parwiz Kambakhsh was sentenced to death for distributing an article about women's rights in Islam (later commuted).
Other Countries
Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sudan, and many others have blasphemy laws with varying severity. Even in countries without official laws, vigilante violence against alleged blasphemers is common.
The Charlie Hebdo Massacre (2015)
The most infamous modern blasphemy killing occurred in Paris when two Islamic gunmen massacred 12 people at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo for publishing cartoons of Muhammad. The gunmen shouted "Allahu Akbar" and "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad."
The attack demonstrated that Islamic blasphemy enforcement extends beyond Muslim-majority countries. Similar attacks have occurred worldwide:
- Theo van Gogh (2004): Dutch filmmaker murdered in Amsterdam for making a film critical of Islam's treatment of women
- Danish Cartoon Controversy (2005): Cartoons of Muhammad in Danish newspaper led to riots worldwide, killing over 200 people
- Salman Rushdie (1989-present): Author of "The Satanic Verses" received a fatwa (death sentence) from Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini. Survives under protection; was stabbed in 2022
- Samuel Paty (2020): French teacher beheaded for showing Charlie Hebdo cartoons in class
The Chilling Effect
Blasphemy laws don't just punish actual cases—they create fear that silences criticism:
- Publishers refuse books critical of Islam
- Newspapers self-censor on Islamic topics
- Academics avoid researching controversial Islamic subjects
- Artists practice self-censorship
- Ex-Muslims hide their identities for safety
As author Douglas Murray observed: "The violence works. It doesn't silence everyone, but it silences enough people enough of the time."
The Impossibility of Reform
Attempts to reform or repeal blasphemy laws face fierce resistance because:
- Muhammad's example: He ordered critics killed, making it "Sunnah" (prophetic tradition)
- Scholarly consensus: All four schools of Sunni jurisprudence agree on blasphemy's punishment
- Popular support: Large majorities in many Muslim countries support blasphemy laws
- Theological foundation: Questioning blasphemy laws is itself considered blasphemous
Politicians who oppose blasphemy laws become targets themselves, as the assassinations of Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer demonstrate.
Biblical Contrast: Responding to Mockery with Love
Jesus was mocked, insulted, and blasphemed far more severely than Muhammad ever was, yet His response differed dramatically:
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." — 1 Peter 2:23
On the cross, while being mocked and executed, Jesus prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Jesus taught: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). He never ordered the death of critics or mockers. When James and John wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus, He rebuked them (Luke 9:54-55).
The Apostle Paul wrote: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). Early Christians were martyred for their faith but never martyred others.
Questions to Consider
- If Muhammad is God's final prophet, why did he need to have critics assassinated?
- Can the truth of Islam only be protected through violence and censorship?
- Why did Jesus respond to mockery with forgiveness while Muhammad responded with assassination?
- If Islam is confident in its truth claims, why does it fear criticism?
- What kind of religion requires killing those who draw cartoons of its prophet?