Is the hostility against Asia Bibi supported by the Quran?

Question

You might be aware that Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian formerly condemned of blasphemy and recently liberated, is being persecuted by some (what sometimes the Western press calls "radical" or "extremist") Muslims in order to put her to death with their own hands, given that the government "refused" to do so.

Now, in my google search, I find there is plenty of writing in the Quran about forgiveness (not minding that her culpability has not even been proven). A good example is here. Importantly, this mercy seems to be deserved also by non-Muslims. So, I don't really understand why these readings are not taken into account by those who persecute Asia Bibi. Are these verses perhaps superseded by other verses indicating that for some crimes, mercy is not longer to be offered?

Answer 1

Blasphemy is a punishable offense in Islamic law:

وإن نكثوا أيمانهم من بعد عهدهم وطعنوا في دينكم فقاتلوا أئمة الكفر إنهم لا أيمان لهم لعلهم ينتهون

And if they break their oaths after their treaty and defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease.

^{— Quran 9:12}

إن الذين يؤذون الله ورسوله لعنهم الله في الدنيا والآخرة وأعد لهم عذابا مهينا

Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment.

^{— Quran 33:57}

Like other Hudud (prescribed punishments), this is a command and hence enforcing the punishment is wajib (mandatory), it can not be waived out of mercy:

ولا تأخذكم بهما رأفة في دين الله

Do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah

^{— Quran 24:2}

There is no pardon for blasphemy, among the proof of which is that when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conquered Makkah he announced general amnesty for everyone but commanded the blasphemers to be killed even if they were clinging to the cover of the Kaabah.

In the verses and hadith you have linked to, 'Mercy' has either been used in the meaning of compassion or is limited to pardoning where it is our place to pardon. You can not pardon someone on Allah's behalf, when He has commanded you to punish them ... you may only pardon someone in your personal affairs.