In a dramatic turn of events, renowned Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Masood, once a vocal advocate for the death penalty for blasphemy, now finds himself at the centre of a blasphemy scandal. The Maulana, whose fiery sermons once urged the immediate execution of those who insult the Prophet Muhammad or the Quran, is reportedly on the run, fearing for his life as angry mobs demand retribution over his own alleged blasphemous statements.
The controversy erupted after a video clip of Maulana Masood went viral on social media, in which he is seen making controversial remarks about the Prophet Muhammad. In the video, the Maulana questioned the literacy of the Prophet, stating, “Why are you following Nabi (Muhammad) when he did not know how to read and write?” His remarks further ignited outrage when he commented on the Quran’s composition, claiming, “The one (Muhammad) who is presenting the Quran did not even write a single word and called others to write for him, which led to grammatical mistakes.”
“No corrections were done because Mohammad did not know there were grammatical errors, which continue till today,” the Maulana said highlighting grammatical errors in the Quran.
These statements have sparked a massive backlash, with many accusing Maulana Masood of committing blasphemy, a crime punishable by death under Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy laws. The scholar, who previously held a hardline stance on blasphemy, had consistently preached that any insult to the Prophet or the Quran warranted immediate punishment, advocating for executions without court trials.
In an ironic twist, as Maulana Masood now faces the same accusations he once condemned others for, his stance on forgiveness appears to have softened. In a series of videos posted online, he has appealed for understanding and forgiveness, explaining that his words were taken out of context. He has also outlined the three methods of seeking forgiveness in Islam, insisting that he has sincerely repented and should be forgiven for any offence caused.
However, these pleas for mercy starkly contrast with his earlier sermons, where he had argued that even those who sought forgiveness could not escape punishment, saying, “Even if someone has sought forgiveness, we can’t say it is from the heart or just from the surface, and hence, he should be punished as per the blasphemy law.”
Despite his attempts at damage control, Maulana Masood’s situation remains perilous. The streets of Pakistan have seen growing unrest, with furious crowds calling for him to be held accountable under the very laws he once championed. While in hiding, he continues to release video statements, desperately seeking to clarify his comments and de-escalate the situation.
Whether Maulana Masood’s appeals for forgiveness will resonate with his former supporters or whether he will face the same fate he once demanded for others remains to be seen.
