Brother Bret Hawk is right when he says that its been discussed in detail in another thread. However he like a "good muslim" ommitted the facts discussed. He put the link in his post of his own writings and few people who agree wtih his view points but failed to show the hole post where i have rebuttled his argument and shown him that he misquoted the Quranic verses. If you are interested in finding the truth, you need to read the whole thread not Brother Bret Hawks own view points and here is the link. I will let you read the hole thread and than decided.
http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthre...to-Hypocrisy-Pope-Urges-Realease-of-Asia-Bibi
In my view, The biggest problem that we muslims face today is the we are forbidden to look into deep in Quran and islam. We have made Quran a holy books which should be kissed and put on the highest place in the house. If anyone of us gives reference to few Aayat(wrong reference, it maybe) we think he is a very knowlegdable. We will never bother to open the Holy Quran oursleve and read the surah to see if he is telling the truth or just taking Aayats out of context to prove his point. The onus lies with us to confirm and stop these self proclaimed scholars on these threads.
Like I was saying before, there was a time when muslim looked into the Quran as it is stated by Allah, "Their are clear signs from us for those who seek knowledge". When were were doing and looking into Quran, we came up with Bu Ali Sina, Abu Hashim and many other scientists who started, Math, Chemistry, Medical, astronomy and biology etc. The muslim were the leaders in the world. Then came a time when muslims were told to just kiss the quran, read it and put it away as you will not understand it and you should go to Maulvi sahab to ask question.
Most(Not all) of these Molvi sahabs are all those kids who run away from school after 3 or 4th grade or were not good in studies and their parents put them in a madressa to learn Quran. They might read Quran but don't have knowledge about the history, the shariat( the judisprudence) and all other aspect of the religion. If we make a list of Pakistani scholars who graduated from any accredited Islamic University to edcuated , the ratio will be less then 1%.
Now a days a new trend is started in Pakistan. If you read Quran and its tafseer and try to explain the reality to some one, he will call you "shameful slaves of western imperialism
" or better "an american or Isreali agent" simple because they can't come up with a better arguement or they are not accpeting you interpratation of Islam.
Brothers just because we believe in peace, love and harmony you are accusing us being imperial slaves. We believe in Allah who is the most merciful, we beleive in the Prophet who was "rahmat-ul-Alamin" who forgave those who hurt him, we believe in sahab like Hazart Ali who forgave someone in a war, just because he spitted on his face. Revenage is your right and always available but Allah love those who forgive.
Islam seeks to reform the criminal. The Quran often makes mention of repentance in association with the crimes that it deals with, making it clear that the door to repentance is open whenever the criminal abandons his crime and behaves properly. It has made repentance a means of waiving a fixed punishment. God says:
“…except for those who repent before you take hold of them. Then know that God is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Quran 5:34)
God says regarding the punishment for fornication:
“It they both repent and mend their ways, then leave them alone. Verily, God is the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful.” (Quran 4:16)
God says after mentioning the punishment for false accusation:
“… except for those who repent afterwards and makes amends, then verily God is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
God says after mentioning the prescribed punishment for theft:
“Whoever repents after his wrongdoing and makes amends, then verily God will accept his repentance and verily God is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Quran 5:39)
Now the Blasphemy law was always on the books since 1935 and it was extended in after 1977 Coup by gen. Zia who himself was a religious fanatic. His Majlis a shoora enacted on the amendement (1985) and created this extended blasphemy law. No one is saying the law is bad or everyone should not be punished if he says derogatory remarks about our holy prophet Muhammad(PBUH). The sensitive arguement is, its abuse in Pakistan. The courty where 95% are courpt and talking a rashvat(bribery) is a norm. Where witnesses are standing outside the court house to lie under oath for money and people are convicted everyday based on false testimonies. In this enviorment how will you enact on this law that requires 4 people to come forward to make up a story about blasphemy. How will you stop the abuse? We have so many case of absue of this law as highlighted in the program.
In my humble opinion, it should be enacted only if the Government is the plaintiff(complainant) a fair and impartial investigation by a judge is conducted and if found guilty, the death sentence should be served, However, if the court finding are that, it was a false accusation, those people who filed the original complaint and the witnesses who lied should be hanged in public. Trust me people will think million times before acusing anyone or falsely testifying.
Nowhere in Quran it states that a person committing blasphemy should be killed. The Quranic Aayat quotes by Brother Bred hawk are out of contest, and are related to waging a war against all and his messanger and the rules of war for the muslims.
Its the Almighty Allah who will punish them. Here is the correct reference Surah Al Ahzaab Ayat(57-58):
Surely (as for) those who speak evil things of Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and the here after, and He has prepared for them a chastisement bringing disgrace.
And those who speak evil things of the believing men and the believing women without their having earned (it), they are guilty indeed of a false accusation and a manifest sin.
Asia bibi has repented. She has said in her interview that she believes the our Holy prophet Muhammad(PBUH) was the last Prophet. Now we should all pray that May ALLAH guide her to the right path and she becomes a muslim lady.
May Allah Bless us all.