Who Determines What Blasphemy Is? -By Aisha Yesufu

As a Muslim, there are injunctions that are binding on me alone as a believer to the exclusion of those who do not believe in my faith. The non-compulsory nature of religion was reinstated by Allah in Qur’an chapter 2 verse 256 ‘There is no compulsion in religion.’ The different messages in the Qur’an addressed to “O ye who believe” and others to “O Mankind” clearly shows that the injunctions in the Qur’an are not binding on everyone.  Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear on the fact that no state in Nigeria shall adopt any religion; hence, Nigeria is a secular state.

With the multitude of faith and religion of citizens of Nigeria, how then does the state determine blasphemy? Nigeria is not only a secular state; it is a multi-religious state. There are different people with different beliefs and faith. There are some who do not subscribe to any faith. These are the realities of our lives and must be respected by all. Qur’an chapter 49 verse 13 states that “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted”. Why then do people exhibit their murderous tendencies all in the name of religion? It is depressing to know that our society breeds serial killers who get away with their heinous actions without repercussions. As a teenager in secondary school I first heard reports of killings in the name of religion and as an adult in my late forties I am yet to hear of reports of prosecution of these killers.

As a Muslim, I do not believe that Prophet Isa (AS) is the son of God. I believe that he is a prophet of God and the son of Maryam (RA). There are people who believe that he is the son of God. Does that mean that I have committed blasphemy to those who believe that he is the son of God? Should I then be stoned to death or taken to court? Should I also be prosecuted for blasphemy for saying that thunder is not god because I do not believe in thunder by someone who worships thunder?  We cannot continue with the hypocrisy where the rights of a certain groups are protected while others are denied of the same rights.

I read with utmost dismay the fluid stance in the of the Nigerian Government on the murder of Deborah Samuel, where they glossed over the issue without taking a strong position on the implication of the actions of the killers and their prosecution. Nobody has a right to take any other person’s life. Anyone who takes the life of another is a murderer and should be prosecuted as such! Should the Presidency also be taken to court for stating in that statement that Isa (AS) is the prophet of God while others believes he is the son of God?

The fact that myself and other Muslims revere, adore and love the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) above all humans is not the way others feel about him and we must not impose our religious doctrines on others as they also do not impose theirs on us. Chapter 109 verse 6 of the Holy Qur’an clearly states that “For you is your religion and for me is my religion.” Moreover there are no verses in the Quran where punishment for blasphemy was stated or where people should take the laws into their hands.

Freedom of religion as entrenched in Section 38 of 1999 Constitution must be respected. Qur’an chapter 4 verse 59 states that “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result”.

If we respect and follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we would not have to tell or force people to respect the prophet because they will see it and know he is deserving of respect. For example, tree planting is a practice of the prophet and he enjoined Muslims to plant trees. The Prophet (SAW) said “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” (reported by Bukhari). The Global Forest Watch reports that from 2001 to 2020 Sokoto State lost 4ha of tree cover equivalent to a 100% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 827t of carbon dioxide. In 2010, Sokoto had 9.10ha of tree cover, extending over 0.00029% of its land area. In 2011, it lost 150mha of tree cover, equivalent to 40.8t of carbon dioxide emissions. How come the love for Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is not shown in the trees Muslims have been enjoined to plant? How many trees have the mob that took Deborah’s life and their supporters planted? Is their love for the Prophet (SAW) only for destruction?

Planting trees was encouraged by the prophet long before climate change became a global issue. Would a green Sokoto not tell the world of the love that Sokoto people have for the Prophet (SAW) than the gruesome killing that the Prophet (SAW) never asked anyone to do?  The streets of Sokoto are filled with children beggars which is against the teachings of the Prophet (SAW).  We are enjoined to give our children love; care and the best education not abandon them. Payment of child support is part of Islam. How many pay child support? Aren’t we the ones disrespecting the Prophet (SAW)?

There are numerous instances of character, compassion, tolerance and love that the Prophet (SAW) exhibited to people who insulted and demonized him. The law should never be used to perpetuate murder under the disguise of religion. The prophet (SAW) taught us to live and let live. If we follow his teachings, there will be peace, abundance and harmony in our community and country; we won’t have children being thrown on the streets or orphans all over. How many of us look after orphans and widows? We haven’t done the things enjoined by the Prophet (SAW) yet we kill people. If we live our lives the way the Prophet (SAW) taught us, we would not be here telling others the greatness of the Prophet (SAW). They will see it.  The Prophet (SAW) said that when you cook and the aroma of the food that you have cooked gets to someone then that person has a right over that food. Many today mock those who are insistent that the barbaric act of taking people’s lives for blasphemy has no place in Islam and they call us slaves of “Human Rights”. The Prophet (SAW) taught us about human rights; He taught us to respect and have empathy. The Prophet (SAW) said that our faith is not complete until we want for others what we want for ourselves. Never should people use Islam to cover up their murderous tendencies.

Whenever anybody says anything denigrating about the prophet; the onus is on us because we have not lived the life examples the Prophet (SAW) has given to us and we should check ourselves. As for the main perpetrator of Deborah’s murder whom the police say is on the run I have one question; How come you were ready to kill for the prophet but not ready to face the consequences and die for the prophet?