An Appraisal of the offence of Blasphemy under The Islamic Law in Nigeria

For Muslim faithfuls at all times and all places, the prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) stands out as a model par-excellence. His life (sira) being the ideal approximate, his sayings (Hadith) to follow and his practice (Sunnah) to emulate. Utmost devotion to love of the prophet has consistently been a prominent trait to every Muslim. According to Islamic injunction to follow the prophet is synonymous with obeying Allah and thus the way for attaining success in hereafter. In view of the prominent position the Prophet hold in both theoretical and practical aspects of Islamic law, the law prescribes that Qur'an 33:57 “those who annoy Allah and His Messengers, Allah has cursed them in this world and in the hereafter, and he prepared for them a humiliating punishment”. So also Sahih al Bukhari 4:52:270 the prophet said: “Who is ready to kill Ka'b Ibn al Ashraf who has really hurt Allah and his Apostle”? Muhammed bin Muslama said “O Allah Apostle! Do you like me to kill him”? He replied in the affirmative.