The issue of blasphemy on the Noble Prophet (SAW) has no doubt been among some of the contentious issues, and like many other issues have been continuously been debated in intellectual circles. Funny enough, you did not make a statement close to any intellectual position on this. https://twitter.com/AsiyaRodrigo/status/1293089378647113729

The popular book by Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) entitled ‘The unsheathed sword against whoever insults the Messenger’ has no doubt been at the top of any intellectual debate on this issue. Someone who has lived in some golden years & published

some of the finest intellectual legal treatises on very complicated issues in Islam. Undebatable, the best author the world of Islaam has ever seen.

In that book, Shaykhul islam mentioned the 4 basic subjects upon which he based the treatise. Eloquently put:

(1) That anyone who insults the Prophet (A muslim or not) is to be killed. (2) Such a person would be killed even if he/she pays Jizyah in a Muslim land. (3) What is the ruling if they repent, and (4) What exactly constitutes insult?

This position (1) above is the general view

of the scholars, on which they all have consensus. It is the position of Imam Malik, Layth, Ahmad Ibn Hambal, Ishaq, & Imam Shafi'i (Rahimahumullah). This is the consensus of the Sahabah of the prophet as well as the Tabi'in according to Shaykhul Islam.

These are agreed by all Muslims to be the most intellectual & Godfearing Muslims, & we can all attest to that, when we compare the TYPE OF MUSLIMS WE ARE TODAY, & the type they were with regards to fear of Allah, understanding the religion & obeying his commands.

In Ma'alim As-Sunan (6/199), Imam Al-Khattabi said, " I do not know anyone who differed concerning the obligation of executing such a person". We are talking about the opinions of the IMAMS of the Fiqh, not some unknown intellectuals that have not made any meaningful contribution

to the Deen as did these people. Muhammad Ibn Sahnun (RH) said also in Ma'alim, that " the scholars have consensus that whoever insults the Messenger (Peace be Upon Him) by attributing defect to him, then such a person is a disbeliever & whoever doubts the disbelief of such a

person is also guilty of disbelief. This is the view of Imam Ahmad, Imam Malik (with regards tl killing even the Dhimmi) & also the FUQAHA OF HADITH (those learned in the knowledge of Hadith). So when you talk about intellectual debate, trace it to the LEARNED ONES in Fiqh.

As for the evidences to such judgements, put forth by these learned scholars that have deeper understanding of the religion, undoubtedly more Godfearing & more intellectual than us speaking here are all over:

Firstly, Check the explanations of Suratut Tawbah, verse 8, 11, 29.

Check further the explanations of Tawbah verse 12 and 13. When I say check, I mean check the books of Tafseer not the translation of the verse. We all agree that the best explanation of every verse of the Qura'an comes from the Prophet (SAW), his companions, the Tab'een & those

after them; those golden generations stated by the Prophet (SAW). Twitter is certainly not where one can display the entire debate & even the explanations of these verses, explanations by the Sahabah, by the Imams of Fiqh & so on. So, I still refer you to the book.

Check the Tafseer of Tawbah 63, & read the intellectual explanation by the scholars of Tafseer. The reason for the revelation of Al-Ahzab 53 & the explanation of this by the Hadith reported by Imam Bukhari, with regards to what the Prophet (SAW) said with regards to what Ka'ab

bin Ashraf did. The debate about what actually constitutes insult in Islam, & according to numerous verses of the Qur'an have been clearly stated in this book. Relate this to the series of intellectual debates by these scholars with regards to the verses of Suratun-Nur revealed

in honor of Ummuna Ai'shah (RA), & relate to the judgement on whoever attribute a fault or defect to the Prophet (SAW) as revealed by Allah.

The Hadith of Ka'b Ibn Malik was the same Hadith Imam Shafi'i (Rahimahullah) one of the best generations of Muslims that are not stained

with the sin of pornography, Zina, lies, bribery & corruption used, as a reason for the establishment of Hadd on whoever slanders the Prophet (SAW). This, even though Ka'b had a covenant with the Muslims. But his insult on the prophet broke that covenant.

The Hadith reported by Imam Nasa'i (No 4076 - 4082) & declared Hasan by Imam Az-Za'i, also confirmed this judgement, as affirmed by Abubakar Sadeeq; the purest man in this ummah after the Prophet).

Do you know the story of Ibn Abi Sharh? Read it & relate to the debate too.

If the Sahabah, those that have lived with the Prophet (SAW), those that have lived after them & those that lived immediately after them have all upheld this debate in the favor of the many verses of the Qur'an & many Hadiths to that effect, present a better debate than that.

On the honor of the prophet (SAW), there is no debate better than what the Prophet (SAW) stated himself as in the story of ibn Abi Sharh, what the Qur'an has stated, what the companions upheld & what those that came after them among the finest Muslims.

The sins of a Muslim, which we all do, including you & me is never a reason for them to allow that the honor of their prophet be soiled. While the honor of the Prophet is a right he has on us (An-nabiyyu Awlaa bil Mu'mineena min anfusihim), our sins are ours.

We will be punished for our sins by Allah fi He wishes, & may forgive us if He wishes. Let me remind you the Hadith of Abu Ya'la, reported in his Musnad, from umar Ibn Khattab (RA) about the man nicknamed Himar. To cut the story short, he came to the Prophet (SAW) drunk & some

of the Sahabah cursed him. What did the Prophet (SAW) say: "Do not curse him, for he loves Allah & His Messenger." See the explanation of this Hadith in Fat-Al-Baariy, the Sharh of Sahihul Bukhari. If you read more, you will read what he commanded his Sahabah to do & to whom.

Finally, consult the Qur'an & the explanations of the prophet, his Sahabah & those Muslims that neither me, you nor any Muslim living today can compare his piety to them on these verses, The Hadiths like, that of Ibn Abi Shahr, Ka'b. In shaAllah I will scan the book & share here.

The solution to the all these? Live & let live.

Whatever it is you rever, or you worship, please go ahead & do that, but keep off from what other people rever or worship.

World peace .