THE Supreme Court overturned verdict in the Aasia Bibi case is based on the evidence and proofs provided to it. However, what followed in the sake of the judgment was totally against the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

According to Pakistan Penal Code PPC: “295-C. Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Prophet Muhammad shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.”

Punishment for blasphemy is there but evidence should be provided to courts and no one can decide the issue on his own. Law should not be misused to ignite violence and punish anyone by taking law into hands. The murder of Mashal Khan, a university student in Mardan, is still fresh with us.

In the Aasia Bibi case, videos on social media show how property was destroyed, vehicles burnt and shops looted. A rickshaw was set on fire. It was the only source of income for him and was in no way connected with the blasphemy issue. While indulging in this frenzy, the vandals shouted religious slogans.

What message did they convey to the world? A boy lost his little fortune when the bananas he was carrying on his donkey cart were looted.

Let me quote Holy Quran, for this verse is there in the very beginning: “And when it is said to them create not disorder on earth, they say we are but reformats; be-ware! It is they who are mischief-makers, but they perceive not. (Baqra 11-12)”.

Islam, which means peace, is the basic principle of Islam, but what happened after the verdict paints a different picture of our religion.

Ghulam Abbas Mirani
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2018