Introduction
The noble personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) serves as the ultimate foundation of faith, love, and obedience for Muslims. His honor is a guiding light; without it, the life of the Muslim Ummah would plunge into darkness. Islamic history bears witness that in every era, Muslims were willing to sacrifice their lives, wealth, and families, yet they never compromised the honor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Islamic jurists (fuqaha) have viewed the issue of disrespect toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) not merely as a legal offense but as a matter directly linked to faith. Accordingly, various schools of Islamic jurisprudence have issued their ijtihadi (scholarly) rulings on the punishment for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While the methods and punishments may vary, the underlying principle is unanimous: the honor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is supreme and inviolable.
The Quran emphasizes the sanctity of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stating:
Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment.
(Al-Ahzab 33:57)
This verse underscores why Islamic law considers disrespect toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a grievous offense that contradicts faith.
Positions of Different Schools of Thought
Hanafi Position
- Disrespect toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is regarded as equivalent to apostasy (irtidad).
- A Muslim man who commits such an offense and refuses to repent is sentenced to death.
- A Muslim woman is not executed but imprisoned and compelled to repent.
- A non-Muslim offender is not automatically executed; discretionary punishments such as imprisonment or fines may apply.
Imam Sarkhasi mentions in Al-Mabsut (Vol. 10, p. 110) that the execution of women was prohibited during the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) time, referencing an incident in Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith 4361) where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) expressed disapproval of killing a woman.
Maliki Position
- Blasphemy is considered an offense graver than apostasy.
- A Muslim man who insults the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is immediately executed; repentance is not accepted.
- A Muslim woman is imprisoned for life if she refuses to repent.
- Non-Muslims are invited to embrace Islam; if they accept, punishment is waived.
Imam Qurtubi in Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Quran (Vol. 8, p. 73) states that anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) does not deserve to live.
Shafi Position
- Muslim offenders, male or female, are given an opportunity to repent; otherwise, they face the death penalty.
- Non-Muslims are invited to Islam, and punishment is waived if they accept.
Imam Nawawi in Rawdat al-Talibin (Vol. 10, p. 70) emphasizes offering the offender a chance to repent before imposing any punishment.
Hanbali Position
- The Hanbali School maintains the strictest stance.
- Muslim offenders, regardless of gender, are executed immediately, without allowance for repentance.
- Non-Muslim offenders are invited to Islam; if they refuse, they may also be executed.
Ibn Taymiyyah, in his famous work Al-Sarim al-Maslul ‘ala Shatim al-Rasul, records historical incidents, such as a Jewish poet who insulted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and was executed on the orders of Abdullah ibn Anis (R.A) (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 4361).
Jafari (Shia) Position
- The offender, whether Muslim male or female, is generally subject to the death penalty.
- Non-Muslims are invited to Islam; refusal may result in execution.
- Some Ja‘fari jurists allow the possibility of repentance, but the predominant emphasis is on strict punishment.
Allama Hilli states in Tadhkirat al-Fuqaha (Vol. 2, p. 190) that anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (R.A) should not be allowed to live.
Disagreement Regarding Non-Muslim Offenders
- Hanafi and Shafi schools: Execution is not obligatory; discretionary punishments may be applied.
- Maliki, Hanbali, and Jafari schools: Execution is preferred if the offender refuses to embrace Islam.
Historical Incidents
- Kab ibn Ashraf: A Jewish leader who insulted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUh) and conspired against Muslims; the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ordered Muhammad ibn Maslamah (R.A) to execute him (Sahih Bukhari, 4037).
- Ibn Khatl: During the conquest of Makkah, Ibn Khatl insulted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and clung to the Kabah; the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ordered his execution (Sahih Bukhari, 1846).
Conclusion
The differences among jurists regarding the punishment for disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reflect procedural approaches rather than differing objectives. The universal goal across all schools is to safeguard the hearts of the Muslim Ummah with love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to restrain any offender.
In today’s world, where incidents of blasphemy are increasing globally, Muslims must reflect on their position. Does our sense of faith-driven honor match that of the Companions and the Tabi’in, or have we reduced our love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to mere rhetoric?
It is time to renew the pledge in our hearts: the honor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is non-negotiable, and one must be willing to sacrifice life, wealth, or worldly comforts to defend it.
