Mufti Abu Layth Archive: society/blasphemy-and-free-speech

How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Mufti Abu Layth says scholars who long told the public to kill blasphemers, Mufti Tariq Masood once among them, helped build the culture now threatening him, and must teach mercy for everyone.

Answer from 29 September 2024 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Deen of Hope NOT Hate - Mufti Tariq Masood | Mufti Abu Layth (at 9:46)

Watch on YouTube at 9:46 · Open the segment

Is someone who says something wrong about the Prophet guilty of blasphemy?

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Is someone who says something wrong about the Prophet guilty of blasphemy?

Not when there was no such intention: Mufti Abu Layth says Mufti Tariq Masood was clearly wrong, but he meant to praise the Prophet, so calling him a blasphemer is unacceptable. Mufti Abu Layth says that when people make mistakes it does not mean they are blaspheming, even if the mistake is horrendous.

Answer from 29 September 2024 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Deen of Hope NOT Hate - Mufti Tariq Masood | Mufti Abu Layth (at 5:12)

Watch on YouTube at 5:12 · Open the segment

Mufti Tariq Masood's remark on scribal errors, and Islam as a deen of mercy

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mufti Tariq Masood's remark on scribal errors, and Islam as a deen of mercy

Mufti Abu Layth says there are no mistakes in the Quran's script, but Islam is a deen of mercy, so Mufti Tariq Masood's error should not bring calls for his death. Mufti Abu Layth says that Islam is a deen of mercy.

Answer from 29 September 2024 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Deen of Hope NOT Hate - Mufti Tariq Masood | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:03)

Watch on YouTube at 0:03 · Open the segment

Recap: the novel, insult versus critique, and the false story summarised

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Recap: the novel, insult versus critique, and the false story summarised

Mufti Abu Layth recaps that Rushdie's novel was an insult rather than a critique and that the satanic verses story is a fabrication rejected by al-Tabari, Ibn Khuzayma and Qadi Iyad, recommending al-Shifa and al-Albani's book.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:52:45)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 1:52:45 · Open the segment

What does holding on to bitterness do to a person?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

What does holding on to bitterness do to a person?

After jokes about Rushdie's marriages, he says bitterness consumes the person who carries it and hurts those around them, and prays for such hearts to be healed. Mufti Abu Layth says bitterness harboured against others destroys the one who carries it and hurts those closest to them, and he prays that God heals such hearts.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 56:41)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 56:41 · Open the segment

Should all religions be free to compete without state backing?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Should all religions be free to compete without state backing?

Mufti Abu Layth agrees religion should not be forced on anyone and that people may criticise it freely, but says criticism with an objective is different from insults meant only to hurt. Mufti Abu Layth says nobody has the right to force religion on others and that people may criticise religions freely, but that analytical criticism differs from insult, which only aims to hurt.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 55:22)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 55:22 · Open the segment

Why did Salman Rushdie write The Satanic Verses?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Why did Salman Rushdie write The Satanic Verses?

In his personal opinion, Rushdie wrote the novel chiefly as defiance of his father, did not expect the backlash, and has since been abandoned even by the left he championed.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 44:48)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 44:48 · Open the segment

Is The Satanic Verses a critique of Islam or an insult?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Is The Satanic Verses a critique of Islam or an insult?

Mufti Abu Layth says the novel is an insult rather than a critique, since it makes no argument and only portrays the Prophet and his wives offensively.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 42:08)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 42:08 · Open the segment

What is The Satanic Verses actually about?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

What is The Satanic Verses actually about?

Mufti Abu Layth summarises the novel's plot, including the Mahound episode and the brothel whose women bear the names of the Prophet's wives, and says this part, though short, shows the book's hostility to Islam.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 32:57)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 32:57 · Open the segment

Is there a difference between criticising Islam and insulting it?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Is there a difference between criticising Islam and insulting it?

Yes: he says everyone may criticise a religion they do not believe in, even if it offends, but that this is not a right to insult, and no society allows speech without limits. Mufti Abu Layth says everyone has the right to criticise what they do not believe in, even if it offends, but that freedom to criticise is not freedom to insult, and every society sets some limits on speech.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 27:41)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 27:41 · Open the segment

Identity, Midnight's Children, the fatwa and the years in hiding

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Identity, Midnight's Children, the fatwa and the years in hiding

Mufti Abu Layth says Rushdie's lack of a secure identity runs through his books, and recounts Midnight's Children, Khomeini's fatwa and the years in hiding before turning to The Satanic Verses.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 25:03)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 25:03 · Open the segment

What made Salman Rushdie so hostile to Islam?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

What made Salman Rushdie so hostile to Islam?

Mufti Abu Layth suggests that Rushdie's hostility to Islam is rooted in an unresolved resentment of his father, who embraced his Muslim identity and moved to Pakistan.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 15:50)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 15:50 · Open the segment

What does the Mufti think of Salman Rushdie as a person?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

What does the Mufti think of Salman Rushdie as a person?

Mufti Abu Layth says he personally finds Rushdie's personality abhorrent and senses a strong negativity from him, and that he researched him in order to be fair.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 5:17)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 5:17 · Open the segment

Does Islam allow attacking Salman Rushdie?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Does Islam allow attacking Salman Rushdie?

No: he condemns the attack on Salman Rushdie as cowardly and contrary to Islam, saying ideas must be answered with speech and that the attack only demonised Islam and revived Rushdie's fame. Mufti Abu Layth condemns the attack on Salman Rushdie as cowardly and an abomination, saying Islam does not teach such acts and that those who speak against Islam must be answered with speech.

Answer from 19 August 2022 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Salman Rushdie & The Satanic Verses | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:01)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 0:01 · Open the segment

Chat round: Trump's Twitter ban, Surah Ya Sin in the morning, and banter

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Chat round: Trump's Twitter ban, Surah Ya Sin in the morning, and banter

Light chat: he is unsure how he feels about Trump's Twitter ban and says reciting Ya Sin each morning is not a sunnah.

Answer from 12 January 2021 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #197 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 25:46)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 25:46 · Open the segment

Do I have to boycott French products?

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Do I have to boycott French products?

No: boycotting is a personal choice and understandable, and state-level boycotts make sense, but Muslims who do not boycott should not be guilt-tripped. Mufti Abu Layth says that if a Muslim does not boycott France, they should not be guilt-tripped, since it is a personal choice.

Answer from 29 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Cartoons of The Prophet & Boycotting France | Mufti Abu Layth (at 9:06)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 9:06 · Open the segment

Was it right for the French government to display the cartoons?

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Was it right for the French government to display the cartoons?

No: individuals and satirists may draw them, but a government represents all its citizens, including Muslims, and Macron's move was poorly managed and provocative. Mufti Abu Layth says governments should not get involved in displaying such cartoons, since they are there to represent all the people.

Answer from 29 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Cartoons of The Prophet & Boycotting France | Mufti Abu Layth (at 5:12)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 5:12 · Open the segment

Does Islam justify killing someone for showing cartoons of the Prophet?

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Does Islam justify killing someone for showing cartoons of the Prophet?

No: the killing was barbaric and unacceptable in Islam, and the teacher was within his rights, though being killed does not automatically make him a state hero. Mufti Abu Layth says the killing of the teacher was utterly unacceptable from an Islamic perspective.

Answer from 29 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Cartoons of The Prophet & Boycotting France | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:55)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 1:55 · Open the segment

How should Muslims respond to cartoons of the Prophet?

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

How should Muslims respond to cartoons of the Prophet?

Ignore them: people have the right to criticise religion, and the cartoons are drawn to provoke a reaction. Mufti Abu Layth says that if people want to draw cartoons of the Prophet, Muslims should just ignore it.

Answer from 29 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Cartoons of The Prophet & Boycotting France | Mufti Abu Layth (at 0:01)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 0:01 · Open the segment

Was it right to slap someone for insulting Islam?

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Was it right to slap someone for insulting Islam?

Mufti Abu Layth condemns the assault outright, but says provocative critics should be wary and take precautions, since some will not be as civil. Mufti Abu Layth says he condemns any kind of assault.

Answer from 27 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #188 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 2:09:02)

A more recent answer on society/dawah-and-debate-culture exists (18 October 2025): How should Muslims engage people with very different views of the religion?

Watch on YouTube at 2:09:41 · Open the segment

Should Muslims boycott France over the cartoons?

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Should Muslims boycott France over the cartoons?

Mufti Abu Layth condemns the killing outright but says Macron was wrong to project the cartoons; boycotts are understandable but no one should be guilt-tripped. Mufti Abu Layth says that individuals may publish such cartoons as their right, but governments should not get involved in these things.

Answer from 27 October 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #188 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:53:33)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 1:53:33 · Open the segment

How should Muslims react when someone tears or burns the Quran?

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

How should Muslims react when someone tears or burns the Quran?

Mufti Abu Layth says tearing the Quran harms nothing in Islam and Muslims should never be enraged by it, while he condemns it and urges everyone to respect religious symbols.

Answer from 24 August 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: Monday Nights with Mufti #179 | Q&A Unscripted & Unrestricted! 😉 | Mufti Abu Layth (at 1:27:21)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 1:27:21 · Open the segment

Should social media companies be allowed to censor people as the new public square?

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Should social media companies be allowed to censor people as the new public square?

The guest says Twitter suspended him at the Turkish government's instance and that corporations now controlling the virtual public square should be regulated and bound by due process; Mufti Abu Layth agrees the question is a fascinating one.

Answer from 26 June 2020 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: quoted view (stated in order to be discussed, not necessarily held)

Recording: Prof. Edip Yuksel | Rejecting Hadith, Rashad Khalifa & Realizing '19' | MindTrap with Mufti #27 (at 2:49:10)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 2:49:10 · Open the segment

Final thoughts: mental health, persecution, free speech and the victim card

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Final thoughts: mental health, persecution, free speech and the victim card

Mufti Abu Layth condemns any persecution of Ahmadis but says criticising their beliefs is free speech, not persecution, and that not calling them Muslims does not amount to persecuting them. Mufti Abu Layth condemns any persecution of Ahmadis but holds that criticising their beliefs is free speech, not persecution, and that not declaring them Muslims does not add to their persecution.

Answer from 15 January 2019 · auto-transcribed, may contain errors

Kind: general teaching

Recording: A Reply to False Messiahs: Mirza Ghulam Qadiani! -Mufti Abu Layth (at 35:37)

A more recent answer on society/blasphemy-and-free-speech exists (29 September 2024): How scholars' rhetoric fed Pakistan's blasphemy killings, in Mufti Abu Layth's view

Watch on YouTube at 35:37 · Open the segment