 In Muslim societies , insulting Muhammad is considered one of the gravest of all crimes . According to Ana Belen <unk> of the University of Granada , " The Islamic <unk> 'a has traditionally considered blasphemy punishable by death , although modern Muslim thinkers such as Mohammad Hashim Kamali maintain that , given that the Quran does not prescribe a punishment , determining a penalty is left to the judicial authorities of the day . " In the Quran itself , " God often instructs Muhammad to be patient to those who insult him and , according to historical records , no action was taken against them during his years in Mecca . " Many Muslims said their anti @-@ cartoon stance is against insulting pictures and not so much as against pictures in general . According to the BBC , " It is the satirical intent of the cartoonists and the association of the Prophet with terrorism , that is so offensive to the vast majority of Muslims . " This link played into a widespread perception among Muslims across the world that many in the West are hostile towards Islam and Muslims . 
