Even that can be offensive with the different interpretations of certain things in the Koran (and Hadees) among Sunni / Shia / Sufi / other sects of Islam.

I come from a Muslim background (now agnostic), grew up in Saudi Arabia, so I have some idea of what kind of mentality is involved here.

As a Muslim kid growing up even for a moment if you begin to wonder, inside your own head, "if there's Allah why can't I see him" or anything of that nature, you almost instantly think "Astagifrullah no wtf am I thinking I will go to hell, all praise be to Allah! Allah Huackbar"

Looking at a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) is the mental trauma equivalent of somebody drawing a nude pic of your mom and publishing it everywhere in their minds.

Its just something unthinkable to them, forget any rational thought at this point except for ultra modern Muslims. Where I live right now, India, almost every Muslim friend of mine at least somewhat supports the Charlie Hebdo attacks with the reason being that "they went too far" or "that's not freedom of speech".

I hope this explains a bit of the "logic" behind Muslims going bat shit crazy when it comes to things like these... the religion itself just literally makes certain thoughts "banned" for them to think. Like if they try and even entertain the idea of rationalizing a drawing of the prophet (pbuh) they would go to hell or something - so its automatically OMGFG MURDER THAT GUY for them when it comes to that and a lot of other issues, depending on their Islam moderation levels.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was actually a smart, charismatic and honest man for the time period he lived in. But the key word is time period - that stuff worked really well in his time to enforce law and order and moral values. Instead of police force and jails, I guess his idea of trying to enforce his ideas with the fear of God and his punishment worked brilliantly back then... and so many generations later.

If he was present here today on this planet I think he would be appalled to see what these guys have made out of Islam now. ISIS and all.