On November 5th 2020 a Pakistani National Security officer named Ahmad Nawaz murdered Malik Imran, a bank manager. Ahamad Nawaz had previously worked at the same bank as Malik Imran; it was later discovered that they both have had personal disputes.
In the time of this condition, Ahmed Nawaz made a statement on social media revealing that he killed Malik Imran because he affronted Prophet Muhammad. Along with this statement made across twitter, it was apparent that a noticeable amount of people accepted Ahamad’s harmful action; some even took the streets to show their support to Ahmad. How can committing a murder in the name of a religion be admired so? There has to be a well-founded reason for this.
Blasphemy refers to great disrespect shown to God or something that is considered holy. British musician named Jhon Lennon once made a remark on blasphemy; he said that blasphemy is the public being more infatuated with ‘Beetles’ than with Jesus. Also, Imam said that blasphemy is like painting prophet Muhammad. However, it is needless to particularly mention that blasphemy is unethical.
The word ‘Blasphemy’ was added to the lexicon in 11-15 AC. Before that it was known as ‘blasfemen’. In old French it was known as ‘blasphemer’. In Latin it was ‘blasphemare’. However, It is up to you to decide whether ‘blasphemy’ is liberal democracy or a crime that is punishable by death.
By 2021 some countries have made ‘blasphemy’ a punishable crime. Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon with a Muslim majority legalized punishments against ‘blasphemy’. Most of these countries have legalized death sentence against ‘blasphemy’ are countries with a Muslim majority. According to this rule, anyone who disrespects god should be punished according to the penal code. This law allows people to act hostile against the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. There were occasions when some people were beaten to death in front of thousands of people because of this.
Even though Blasphemy was named as a punishable crime in countries like Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherland, Norway with a majority of Christians; In year 2018 they called off this law respecting liberal thinking and freedom of speaking.
According to Christian teachings, Blasphemy is mentioned in the 3rd book of the Old Testament in the Hebrew bible, named Leviticus. Leviticus 24:14 a, b, c says that, “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And speak to the people of Israel, saying, whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.
According to Islam teachings, the Al-Quran says that blasphemy is a punishable crime. The action of offending or speaking sacrilegiously about Islamic God or sacred things, is the offence.
The Quran has so many clauses about blasphemy. It is mentioned in the Al-Quaran that the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about Islamic God or sacred things is known as blasphemy.
In the English translation of Quaran, translated by A. Yusuf Ali it is mentioned that any Muslim who blasphemes against Allah or His Messenger or blasphemes against any one from amongst the prophets is thereby guilty of rejecting the truth of the Messenger of God. According to Quran such a person may either be crucified, death sentenced or incarcerated.
While the two main religions in the world, Islamic and Christianity mentions retribution on blasphemy, it is equally important to focus on Buddha’s Philosophical teachings about this. Before getting into it, it should be mentioned that unlike other religions, blasphemy is absent in Buddhism. Therefore, one can only offend or disrespect the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
A novice monk entering the ‘Sāsana’ is given a book with instructions related to this. This book named ‘Sāmanera Bana Daham Potha’ brings up how his behavior can be an insult to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
“Buduruwanhi ayunu kiwa parji we
Damruwanhi ayunu kiwa pariji we
Sanguruwanhi ayunu kiwa pariji we”
The Buddha has mentioned that slandering the Buddha, Buddhist doctrine and Sangha is the greatest failure a monk can have in the life. But he has not imposed any punishment for that. According to his teachings the monk who insults the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha does an unwholesome deed or an immoral act accumulating ‘karma’ which he has to reap as ‘vipāka’. Therefore, in comparison blasphemy with slandering the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, absence of any punishment profoundly manifests the non-violence nature of Buddhism.
‘Cannatheravattu’ [‘Cullavagga Pali’:‘Vinaya pitaka’. VI.3.78] reveals how ‘brahmadandaya’ was imposed on late minister of prince ‘Siddhārtha’, ‘Channa’ on his misbehavior. ‘Brahmadandanaya’ in Buddhism is stand offing someone. ‘Brahmadandanaya’ is making someone understand of their own faults and mistakes by completely ignoring them. This is practiced as a punishment only among the monks. ‘Brahmadandanaya’ does not physically castigate person. The goal of it is to make one understand of their own mistakes. Buddhism manifests its excellency in humanism by not imposing any physical or verbal harassments on such phenomena. The Buddha did not recommend any physical harassment on insulting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, not only Buddhists but also non-Buddhists.
Even though the Buddha did not recommend disrespecting The Triple Gems, he accepted logical reasoning, polemics and criticism. In ‘Kālāma Sutta’ [AN.111.65] the Buddha has clearly advised his disciples not believe anything blindly. He recommended critical investigation and analysis before accepting anything. Therefore, it is clear that the Buddha always accepted positive thinking, freedom of speech and criticism.
There was no any other religion like Buddhism which was subjected to logical reasoning and polemics during the time when Buddha was alive. Every other religion that existed during that time rejected logical thinking and criticism. But Buddhism saw that as a good and a positive thing. Buddhism believe that everyone has a right to critically analyze any religion before embracing.
From 1987 to 2017 so many lives in Pakistan have been lost because of blasphemy. People from the two minor communities in Pakistan, which is Ahmadiyya and Shiya has been killed because their beliefs are different from Islamic beliefs. Since 2001 by now two thousand and six hundred Shiya Muslims have been brutally killed. For many of these deaths no legal action have been legally taken. Lawyers will be risking their lives if they are willing to help them.
While the population of Pakistan is 167 million, 96% of the population are Muslims. Pakistan and Iran top every other country when it comes to punishing people for blasphemy. These laws on blasphemy that’s been practiced in these countries contributes in continuing the Islamic authority in those countries.
There is a hunch to be investigated whether responsibility of criticizing theism or even a gesture is a reason to be executed and sentenced to death falls on the God or the followers.
It is an undeniable fact that all citizens should adhere to the penal code of the country. But the murders take place on personal revenge are being credited to the account of blasphemy cannot be disregarded.
It has to mentioned in the name of humanity that, all the religions in the world are originated only for the betterment of human beings but not to harass. Therefore, Isn’t the goal of a religion to protect and unite everyone?
Translated by Devindi Manatunga.
© Satipatthana Magazine
