blasphemy law in pakistan

In the name of Allah the all merciful the very merciful

My respected teachers and dear fellows!

It is my pleasure to say something in front of you. When I have been allowed to talk about something, I would like to take the opportunity to describe three misconceptions about blasphemy laws which are presented and represented or rather propagated in the media.

First among them is: the blasphemy laws were enacted by Zia ul Haq .

Second is: the blasphemy law is only in Pakistan and nowhere else in the world.

Third is: the punishment by death is not according to Islam.

I would like to start from here that, firstly, this is not only in Pakistan but also in other 57 Muslim countries. Not only Muslim countries but nearly in all non-Muslim countries, too. The only difference is Muslim countries punish for the insult of any prophet including Prophet Muhammad (SAW). However, in non-Muslim countries that punishment is only regarding the blasphemy towards The Jesus Christ and God.

Secondly, they propagate that the law was made by Zia, is obviously wrong.  As a matter of fact, the same article is present in the Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi constitutions, though with a little variations of wordings and sub-article numbers. In the Constitution of Pakistan it is 295-C, in India 295-A, and 295-B in Bangladesh.

In fact, this law was made by British Government, in 1860 A.D in British India. Historically, in fact, this law was made in 1547 A.D in Britain, which was called as Cannon Law   then it was entered in 17^th century in Common Law. And this is still in Britain, with the name of Racial and Religious, Hatred Act 2006.

Thirdly, what they say the "punishment by death" is not according to Islam. Let me tell you this is not only according to Islam, but this is according to Torah and Bible (Injeel) also.

Blasphemy in Judaism

In the third book of the Torah, Leviticus, 24:16 states that those who speak blasphemy "shall surely be put to death".

Blasphemy in Christianity

Christian theology condemns blasphemy. It is spoken of in the Mark 3:29, where blaspheming the Holy Spirit is spoken of as unforgivable - the eternal sin. However, there is dispute over what form this blasphemy may take and whether it qualifies as blasphemy in the conventional sense.

Blasphemy has been condemned as a serious, or even the most serious, sin by the major creeds and Church theologians.

       Thomas Aquinas says that “it is clear that blasphemy, which is a sin committed directly against God, is more grave than murder, which is a sin against one's neighbor. … it is called the most grievous sin, for as much as it makes every sin more grievous.”^[15]

       The Book of Concord calls blasphemy “the greatest sin that can be outwardly committed”.^[16]

       The Baptist Confession of Faith says: “Therefore, to swear vainly or rashly by the glorious and awesome name of God…is sinful, and to be regarded with disgust and detestation. …For by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked and because of them this land mourns.”^[17]

       The Heidelberg Catechism answers question 100 about blasphemy by stating that “no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name”.^[18]

       The Westminster Larger Catechism explains that “The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane...mentioning...by blasphemy...to profane jests, ...vain janglings, ...to charms or sinful lusts and practices.”^[19]

       Calvin found it intolerable “when a person is accused of blasphemy, to lay the blame on the ebullition of passion, as if God were to endure the penalty whenever we are provoked.”^[20].

Blasphemy in Islam