[Slings and Arrows]

If Mohammad were still alive, and the French publication knowingly printed something libelous, I think he should be able to have an action.

Interesting point. Two thoughts on it:

1. As a public figure, Mohammed would have the bar set pretty high with respect to winning a libel case. Beyond that, he'd have to prove damages. (Note: IANAL. Not even close.)

2. Truth is a defense against libel. If you call him a murdering pedophile, all it means is you've read his book.

[DB]

If I’m not mistaken, he could neither read nor write. Others did his “writing” for him.

[Liaison]

Recently the Saudi government wanted to set marriage and consent at the age of about 14 (this age is a swag from article I read) and Saudi Arabian Imams will not set age limits on marriage and consent. To set an age would have a fatwa that can be interpreted that Muhammad may have been wrong or at least his teachings do not conform to modern reality of Islam and therefor it can create a new schism and widen critique. Too much fun!

[Dr. Sivana]

If Mohammad were still alive, and the French publication knowingly printed something libelous, I think he should be able to have an action. Interesting point. Two thoughts on it:
1. As a public figure, Mohammed would have the bar set pretty high with respect to winning a libel case. Beyond that, he'd have to prove damages. (Note: IANAL. Not even close.)

2. Truth is a defense against libel. If you call him a murdering pedophile, all it means is you've read his book.

I was positing as a matter of personal opinion of right and wrong, as Falwell is U.S. and the magazine is France. I think that bar has been set too high for public figures, especially as they have more to lose (politicians would be an exception, because of the risk of the legal system being abused to influence elections).

I also used the word "if" because we KNOW the language used against Falwell was libelous on the face of it. My main points were that a) even Mohammad himself should be given the benefit of a properly functioning legal system and b) this has nothing whatsoever to do with the Falwell case.