Salam.
Can a Muslim take law into his own hands in the case of blasphemy even no actions taken by the government or no legal rulings will be applied on that particular person who is at the higher state doing blasphemy or any kind of criminal act if that’s written in the law of a particular State?
What must be done in that regard if no one is taking action against such person ?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Islam has given certain individuals specific commandments. For example, a female is commanded not to fast and pray when she experiences her periods. A man cannot practice on this when he is in an impure state.
Likewise, the laws of implementing and executing Islamic laws have been vested with the government. It is their duty to take action against one who turned renegade, or commited other crimes, likes stealing, drinking alcohol etc. If they do not fulfill those laws, then we cannot take the law into our own hands and implement the law. Rather, we should write letters to the government, and continue to make Dua for the rulers.
Since we cannot execute the law ourselves, if someone left the fold of Islam, our duty will be to invite him back to this wonderful religion, and clear any misconceptions which he may have had.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)