A punishing act
Dr Sheikh Arshid
The former Chairman of Shia waqf board, Waseem Rizvi’s remarks about the Quran and filing of a petition in the SC seeking to remove 26 verses of the Quran has evoked widespread condemnation and even protests.
The Valley-based mass protestation by all Muslim religious organisation in condemnation of sacreligist, shia leader, remarked it as “unacceptable” and can face vitriolic attacks from all corners of the society.
The ridiculous and disgusting act done by the enemy of Islam has headed up the sentiments and emotions of Muslim World and can start any cursing move which can disrupt peace and status quo of whole world.
Blasphemous act on our Holy Book (Quran) is directly an attack on the sentiments of Muslim World. The case of blasphemous act that has sparked furious Muslim gatherings on roads, parks and public and worship places, has triggered the commotion and turmoil throughout the world.
The Quran curses those who commit blasphemy and threatens blasphemer’s humiliation in the Hereafter. However, some have interpreted hadith as prescribing punishments for blasphemers, which may include death, while others argue for execution to death. The growing trend of blasphemy in the world is a kind of extremists’ mental setup; they are continuously doing irrational hostility, spreading fear or hatred against Islam.
Now a day’s blasphemy throughout the world whether physical or verbal attacks on places of worship and faith and persons especially on our beloved prophet Muhammad ( SAW) is a visible manifestation of those blasphemy.
Blasphemous accusations against Islam have sparked international controversies and can incite a huge mob violence and assassinations as took place in the past.
The act of blasphemy is strongly admonished by Quran (6:108) this verse calls on Muslims to not blaspheme against deities of other religions’, lest people of that religion retaliate by blaspheming against Allah.
In another Quranic verse (5:33) , prescribes prison or mutilation or death for those “who wage war against Allah and His Messenger”.
Denouncing this act, fear, hatred and hostility toward Islam and Muslims all over the world are rising at an exaggerated level that can perpetuate negative stereotypes resulting in bias, discrimination and marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from social, political and economic life.
We Muslims all over the world want strong punishment of those who use blasphemous act against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Quranic verses but this is not the solution. People all over the world should respect the Islamic sentimental affairs and must know that this kind of affair is having emotional attachment and is unbearable for all of us.
Number of evidences of blasphemy in the “Jahli Arabian” by disbelievers in ridiculing and mocking beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) never attracted any command punishment for Him (SAW) against the disbeliever; this shows how Prophet Muhammad (SAW) advocates peace and harmony among humans.
Instead, the Qur’an asks prophet Muhammad (SAW) to leave the punishment of blasphemy upto Allah as there would be justice in Hereafter. This doesn’t mean that we will remain silent over a blasphemous act against Him (SAW) as our faith, as advocated by Quran and Sunnah, is based on His (SAW) love, respect and obedience.
A variety of punishments have been instituted in Islamic jurisprudence such as death, life imprisonment over any blasphemous act etc. But when the sentiments of Muslims all over the world are hurt then they urge the government or any organization to seek vengeance at an earnest attention.
To stabilize the peace, prosperity and harmony every religious person should refrain from using insulting words or displaying ridiculous pictures against Quran otherwise this could incite violence throughout the world.
I personally protest against this wildish act done by a wild person, Waseem Rizvi and remember that any kind of violence can provoke heaviest bloodshed. So refrain from using insulting and ridiculing of Quranic verses.
Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings and sentiments of any class is a visible insult or attempt to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class and must be punished in broad daylight with waiting for any governmental decision.
(The author is a religious scholar and hails from Kuchmullah Tral)
