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Dr. Iyad Al-Quneibi discusses in this dialogue one of the most dangerous issues affecting a Muslim's faith: the phenomenon of blaspheming against God and religion. The conversation begins by highlighting how some people trivialize this grave sin. For instance, some wives complain about their husbands' poor treatment, only to discover that the husband blasphemes against God—yet this is seen as a minor issue compared to worldly problems.
Blaspheming against God Almighty is a crime even more heinous than the disbelief of the pre-Islamic era. The disbelievers of that time still held a form of reverence for God in their speech, whereas those who dare to curse the Creator have stripped themselves of even the lowest level of respect. A person's eternal fate does not tolerate excuses or trivialization; one word can cast its speaker into the Fire, and one word can nullify years of worship.
Dr. Al-Quneibi explains that the phenomenon of blaspheming against religion is not merely an individual issue but stems from a fragile societal environment where reverence for God's symbols is absent. The roots of this problem can be summarized in seven key areas:
These societal diseases have created fertile ground where some dare to transgress the sanctity of divinity without fear of punishment or social rejection.
One of the most important foundations that protect a person from slipping into disbelief is understanding the reality of this world compared to the Hereafter. No matter how long this world lasts, it is mathematically "zero" compared to the eternity of the Hereafter.
And they ask you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a Day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count. (Quran 22:47)
A single minute in this world is equivalent to an entire day (24 hours) in the Hereafter, proportionally speaking. So how can a person waste their eternal destiny—whose expanse is as vast as the heavens and the earth—for the sake of a fleeting moment of trivial anger?
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting among yourselves and competition in wealth and children. It is like [the example of] rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter there is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (Quran 57:20)
When a person reflects on the dominion of the heavens and the earth, they realize the insignificance of their own existence compared to the greatness of their Creator. The Earth we live on is nothing compared to the Sun, and the Sun is merely an average star in a galaxy containing hundreds of billions of stars—all of this is only in the nearest heaven.
And they did not appraise Allah with true appraisal when they said, "Allah will not send down anything to a human being." Say, "Who sends down provision from the heaven and the earth?" It is He who has sent down rain from the sky, from which We bring forth vegetation of all kinds; then We bring forth greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees—of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe. And they have assigned to the jinn a share of the God, although He created them—and they falsely attributed to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Exalted is He and high above what they describe. (Quran 32:11-13)
The God who has subjected livestock to us, who has made rivers flow for us, and who has granted us 37 trillion cells working in our bodies without our intervention deserves reverence and exaltation—not blasphemy and cursing.
Dr. Al-Quneibi warned against falling into the trap of "dark comedy" or jokes that mock religion and its rites. A frivolous personality that does not respect sacred matters gradually loses the awe of God in its heart. The Quran explicitly addresses those who ridicule religion, even in jest:
And if you asked them, they would surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you - We will punish another faction because they were criminals. (Quran 9:65-66)
Mockery is the messenger of disbelief. Whoever laughs at or approves of mockery against religion shares in the crime. The duty is to denounce it or leave the gathering immediately.
Dr. Iyad emphasized that the legal ruling for anyone who blasphemes against God, His religion, or His Messenger is apostasy from Islam, as agreed upon by all scholars of the Muslim community. This ruling does not change whether the perpetrator was serious or joking, as long as they uttered the words willingly and without coercion.
Anyone who thinks anger is an excuse to justify blaspheming against the Creator is mistaken; anger reveals what lies in the heart—filth and a lack of reverence. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, Judge Iyad, and others have narrated the consensus of the four Imams that the punishment for one who insults the Prophet peace be upon him is death. They differed only on whether his apparent repentance is accepted in this world, but with God, if one repents sincerely before death, Allah forgives all sins.
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Quran 39:53)
Dr. Al-Quneibi compared the steadfastness of the Companions and the righteous, who endured death, burning, and torture by iron combs without uttering a word of disbelief, to those who blaspheme against their Lord for the most trivial worldly reasons. A Muslim who reveres their Lord would prefer to be cast into the Fire rather than renounce their faith.
The people of the ditch were burned in a fire of fuel, while they were seated over it, and they witnessed what they were doing to the believers. (Quran 85:4-7)
Even in cases of coercion, where Allah has permitted a Muslim to utter words of disbelief if they fear for their life, the higher station—and greater reward—is to endure death without uttering it, as demonstrated by the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter and the magicians of Pharaoh, who said:
They said, "We will never prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life." (Quran 20:72)
Dr. Al-Quneibi concluded with a final appeal to anyone who dares to blaspheme against God, reminding them of five inevitable moments they will face:
He will say, "Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me." (Quran 23:108)
Despite the gravity of the sin, the door of repentance remains open until the soul departs. The doctor recounted the story of a man who never did any good deed and instructed his children to burn his body and scatter his ashes out of fear of Allah, and Allah forgave him due to his awe of Him.
Exalting Allah in the hearts is the ultimate safeguard. Every Muslim must guard their faith and prevent mockery in their gatherings. Reforming society begins with restoring reverence for the Creator in people’s souls. Whoever honors Allah, Allah will honor them. Whoever belittles His sanctities will be humbled by Allah and by people.
The doctor concluded the session by affirming that the natural disposition (fitrah) remains alive in the hearts of the youth. A sincere word or reminder of Allah’s greatness can transform the state of an entire nation. He urged everyone not to despair of guiding those afflicted by this sin, hoping that Allah may save them from the Fire.