Blasphemy laws
Reader comment on item: Guest Column: Pakistan's Frightening Blasphemy/Apostasy Laws

Submitted by Abdul Ameer, May 30, 2014 21:26

Raheel Raza might mean well, but she is either ignorant of Islam or just dishonest. Here she is blaming Pakistan's blasphemy laws on the British who brought freedom of religion to the area while telling us that the Koran says nothing about punishing blasphemers; and she says nothing about her prophet, Mohammad who had people murdered for insulting him. That Koranic verse about "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256) was a very early Medinan verse which was followed later by other verses which abrogate it.

The Koran specifically condemns all Christians as blasphemers::

– In blasphemy indeed are those who say God is Christ the son of Mary. 5:17

The Koran also says:

-- Those who insult [aa-dh-aa] God and His Messenger will be rejected by God in this world and the next—He has prepared a humiliating punishment for them 33:57

-- For those who insult God's Messenger, there is a painful chastisement. 9:61.

As for apostasy, both the Koran and Muhammad condemn the people who commit it. Muhammad said:

"Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him" (Bukhari 9.84.57

The Koran says:

But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief -- Lo! they have no binding oaths in order that they may desist. (9:11,12)[1]

All of this is anchored firmly in standard Sharia law. The death penalty for both blasphemy and apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

Raza quotes the founder of Pakistan who said he did not want a theocracy. Yet, the official name of Pakistan is "The Islamic Republic of Pakistan". What is that supposed to mean if not that the laws of Pakistan must be in accord with Islamic sharia law?

Raheel Raza should at least be honest enough to discuss these points.

Note: IPT will moderate reader comments. We reserve the right to edit or remove any comment we determine to be inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to, comments that include swearing, name calling, or offensive language involving race, religion or ethnicity. All comments must include an email address for verification.