Crime Against Sacred Text, God and Prophets
Section 16. Crime Against Sacred Text, God and Prophets
- Anyone, within or outside the State, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, directly or indirectly who:
- Desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur’an, in full or in part; or
- Defiles God, Allah, the Holy Prophets listed in Islam Including Prophet Muhammad by words, either spoken or written, by visible representation or by other means
shall be punished with death.
- The actor shall be excused from the punishment if he, after had been being given a fair opportunity to give up the commission of the offense, repents.
Explanatory Notes
Section 16 is enforced only by the State. Individuals should not take the law into their own hands to enforce section 16. If anyone takes the law into his own hands and enforces section 16, he shall be liable for every crime he commits.
Some western countries may object to section 16. This objection is ignored for a number of reasons. First, the State is sovereign, it does not need western permission to enact any legal provisions. Second, Islamic law scholars have unanimously agreed that anyone who desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur’an or defiles God, Allah, or the Prophets listed in Islam shall be punished by death. Finally, it should be realized that western States do not ask Muslim majority States’ opinion when they enact legislations that negatively affect Muslims.
