Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi clarified that no individual has the authority to issue a Fatwa to kill in blasphemy cases. He expressed concern that many in the country remain unaware of the specific blasphemy laws. During a briefing on the CII’s progress over the last 100 days, Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi mentioned that when a Fatwa to kill against the Chief Justice was declared haram, it led to the receipt of 400-500 threatening messages. He also noted that the detailed Supreme Court decision in the Mubarak Sani case is still pending.
Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi strongly emphasized that issuing a Fatwa to kill or taking the law into one’s own hands is both illegal and unconstitutional. He highlighted that no individual has the right to punish others for blasphemy; only the state holds this authority. Despite the widespread misconception, the blasphemy laws outline four different punishments, not all of which involve the death penalty. The CII chairman stressed that while the desecration of the holy Quran is punishable by life imprisonment, people are often unlawfully killed for it due to religious intolerance.
Read More: Mubarak Sani Case: Supreme Court Grants Govt Request to Remove Controversial Sections
In his address, Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi reiterated that issuing a Fatwa to kill or engaging in mob justice is not supported by Shariah and is a direct violation of the law. He also mentioned the ongoing presence of usury in the country, despite its prohibition in Islam, and criticized the unconstitutional status of transgender laws as per the Shariat Court.
