Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 40
40 islam’s response to contemporary issues Revile not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they, out of spite, revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus unto every people have We caused their doing seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return; and He will inform them what they used to do. 47 It is the Muslims who are addressed in this verse. They are strictly prohibited from blaspheming the idols and imaginary gods of the idolaters. It is also pointed out that if one does so, others may, by way of retaliation, indulge in blasphemy against God. In this hypothetical discussion of blasphemy against God and idols on equal terms, no physical punishment is prescribed in either case. The moral of this teaching is rich in profound wisdom. If one commits a crime against someone’s or other’s spiritual sensibilities, the aggrieved party has a right to pay back in the same coin regardless of the nature of his beliefs and his being right or wrong. Neither is permitted to retaliate in different terms. One can safely conclude from this that spiritual offence should be avenged by spiritual means just as a physical offence is avenged by physical retaliation—but without transgression. 3) Blasphemy is mentioned in the Holy Quran in relation to Mary and Jesus as. , For their disbelief and for their uttering against Mary a grievous calumny. 48 This verse refers to the historical stance of the Jews contemporary to the times of Jesus Christ as. According to this verse, the Jews