If one truly studies the scriptures, and looks past the acts of barbaric, power-crazed individuals who claim to follow the religion, then often one can be left pleasantly surprised.
There is no punishment in Islam for blasphemy. No such punishment is prescribed in the Holy Quran, or in any of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad(sa).
But unlike the thousands of protesters who think that freedom of speech comes at the price of one’s life, I know that blasphemy is not punishable in Islam.
Freedom of speech and expression is vital and necessary for the progress and development of a society. Islam champions this cause.
How should a Muslim, according to the Sharia, react to the publishing of derogatory cartoons which depict Holy Personages in Islam?