Iranian blogger sentenced to death for Facebook posts

The Verge has reported on the plight of a blogger in Iran;

A 30-year-old blogger and photographer has been sentenced to death in Iran for “insulting the prophet of Islam” on Facebook, drawing renewed attention to the country’s notorious human rights record.

Iran has long taken a hard stance on online dissent, and appears to have stepped up its efforts in recent months. According to Reporters Without Borders, at least 65 activists, journalists, and bloggers were currently in prison because of their online activities as of July. In May, seven people were arrested for dancing to the Pharrell Williams song “Happy” and publishing the video online. They were given a suspended sentenced of one year in jail and 91 lashes, on the basis that the video violated Iran’s Islamic laws. In July, eight Iranians were arrested and sentenced to a combined 127 years in jail on charges of colluding against the state and spreading propaganda on Facebook.

Iran’s Islamic laws seem to be in direct contradiction of the guidance of Allah and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s). Allah tells us that we must be patient in the face of criticism or abuse [3:186] furthermore the actions of the Holy Prophet (s) further reinforce this message. There are many examples of his forgiveness of people and entire tribes who abused and tried to kill him.

Allah tells our Holy Prophet (s) that if he had been rough and hard hearted, the people would not have followed him to the message of Islam [3:156]. If the Iranian Government acted on this guidance perhaps they wouldn’t need laws about ‘insulting the prophet of Islam’, perhaps people would instead decide to embrace the Holy Prophet (s) and Allah instead of insulting them.