A controversial Islamic book advocating brutal punishments for homosexuals and hateful views on Jews has sparked outrage in France after being found for sale on mainstream platforms such as Fnac and Amazon. The 300-page book, “Péchés et guérisons” (Sins and Cures), a compilation of hadiths by 14th-century Muslim scholar Ibn al-Qayyim, includes calls to kill apostates, “stone” homosexuals, and labels Jews as “the enemy.”
Despite the extremity of its content, the book had been easily accessible to French consumers until recently. Fnac, one of France’s largest retail book chains, initially claimed the title was not stocked in physical stores, but it was still listed on their website until it was made “unavailable” shortly after media inquiries. Amazon also listed the book.
In addition to graphic calls for violence against homosexuals, the text recommends throwing them from high buildings and burning them alive. Jews and apostates are described as enemies who must be killed. Several user reviews rated the book highly, praising it as “useful” and “interesting for deepening faith.”
Chems-eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, denounced the content as “shocking,” acknowledging that the author is associated with an extremely orthodox Islamic school of thought. He called for more awareness about the historical context and problematic translations of ancient religious texts, while affirming his personal rejection of such hateful ideologies.
The situation raised broader concerns about lax content vetting by booksellers. While Fnac defended itself by pointing to its adherence to French laws and deflecting responsibility to publishers and public authorities, critics argue the retailer should play a more proactive role in content moderation, especially when inciting hatred is involved.
Islamologist and academic Christian Jambet warned that such books are increasingly targeting French-speaking Muslim youth, especially those unfamiliar with classical Arabic or Islamic theology, in order to propagate hardline ideologies akin to those of the Muslim Brotherhood. He lamented the degradation of Islamic literature sections in generalist bookstores, describing them as “dumping grounds” for extremist propaganda.
Jambet also stressed the importance of not equating all of Islam with such texts. Citing his own research, he highlighted thinkers like 17th-century Shiite philosopher Molla Sadra, who offered a theological appreciation of homosexual love, even considering it “providential.”
The controversy reignites ongoing debates in France around religious extremism, free speech, antisemitism, homophobia, and the responsibilities of both public institutions and private companies in combating hate speech in all its forms.
