Islam and Blasphemy - Blasphemy Versus Apostasy

Blasphemy Versus Apostasy

Muslim jurists dispute about what irreverent behavior amounts to blasphemy. They dispute about whether behavior that is deemed blasphemous amounts to a rejection of Islam, that is, apostasy. Some jurists believe that blasphemy automatically removes an individual from the fold of Islam. Jurists may conflate and confuse apostasy, blasphemy, hypocrisy, heresy, and unbelief. An individual may find himself accused of being an atheist, a heretic, a hypocrite, a blasphemer, and an apostate on the basis of one action or utterance.