What does the holy Qur’an say on Blasphemy?

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oes Allah need anyone to take up arms to defend his Prophet? No, Allah does not need anyone to step in and punish those who insult Him or His Prophet (peace be upon him). The Qur’an describes how the pagans in Mecca disputed his claims of prophethood and insulted him but Prophet PBUH was ordained to forgive them.

In fact, the holy Qur’an doesn’t support any sort of violence against blasphemy. It doesn’t prescribe any punishment for blasphemers. It declares: “We made for every messenger an enemy and had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. Therefore, leave them and what they forge (6:112).

• Qur’an warns that there will always be some people who will hurl seductive remarks at the Prophet (6:113) or be inimical to him (25:31) and urges the believers to simply ignore them. Thus, the Qur’an treats blasphemy as a moral vice but does not regard it as a punishable criminal offence.
• Qur’an suggests that Prophet Muhammad PBUH could strike back in moderation, but should simply endure the persecution patiently: “If you retaliate, retaliate with the like of what you have been made to suffer, but if you are patient, that is surely better for the steadfast.” (16:127)
• Qur’an (68:51) describes how they accused him of insanity: “Indeed, the faithless almost devour you with their eyes when they hear this Reminder, and they say, ‘He is indeed crazy.’”
• Qur’an does not demand that the blasphemers be killed for their insolence. Allah counsels Prophet Muhammad PBUH to be patient when faced with opposition. Qur’an (16:126) alludes to some persecution or affliction which the Prophet (pbuh) suffered from the unbelievers.
•  According to Qur’an, the Meccan enemies of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called him impostor, a madman (30:58, 44:14, 68:51), and an insane poet (37:36). They accused the Prophet of “forging lies and witchcraft” (34:43, 38:4), “forging lies against God and making up tales” (11:13, 32:3, 38:7, 46:8). By definition, all these accusations were ‘blasphemous’. But nowhere does the Qur’an prescribe any punishment for those who uttered these blasphemies.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) faced the vilest of abuses in his lifetime. Not once did he retaliate. Let’s learn from his Wisdom, Patience & Grace. Loving the Prophet (SAW) means following his ways. “You do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with Forgiveness and Kindness.”

~Prophet Muhammadﷺ