The punishment for affronts to Prophet Muhammad cannot be administered in a democratic, non-Islamic country, a fatwa states.
The fatwa, which is a jurisprudential opinion, was issued by Hyderabad-based Islamic seminary Jamia Nizamia, in response to a set of questions.
While upholding the death penalty for blasphemy, the Jamia Nizamia clarified that this punishment cannot be awarded in a democratic, non-Islamic country. The fatwa also states that in such countries and in light of the Constitution, legal avenues must be explored and demands for the strongest punishment should be made. The fatwa underscores that no individual has the right to enforce this punishment.
