Blasphemy and Apostasy 'Laws' in the Muslim World: A Critical Analysis

Research Handbook on Islamic Law and Society (Nadirsyah Hosen, ed., Forthcoming)

Valparaiso University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-8

41 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2018

Date Written: September 14, 2018

Abstract

This chapter reviews the laws of apostasy and blasphemy in the Muslim world, by looking particularly at Pakistani and Malaysian cases. It strongly argues that the death penalty in the laws of apostasy and blasphemy is untenable in the modern period. The chapter demonstrates that these laws conflict with a variety of foundational teachings of Islam and with the current ethos of human rights, in particular the freedom to choose one's religion and the freedom to express oneself.

Keywords: Blasphemy, Apostasy, Islam, Islamic Law, Muslims, Islamophobia, Free Speech, Islam, Ijtihad, Taqlid, Shariah

Suggested Citation

Kutty, Faisal, Blasphemy and Apostasy 'Laws' in the Muslim World: A Critical Analysis (September 14, 2018). Research Handbook on Islamic Law and Society (Nadirsyah Hosen, ed., Forthcoming), Valparaiso University Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-8, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3249693

Faisal Kutty (Contact Author)

Southwestern Law School ( email )

3050 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
United States
213-738-5783 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.swlaw.edu/faculty/full-time/faisal-kutty

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
626
Abstract Views
4,059
Rank
88,759
PlumX Metrics