Apostasy In Islam

Table of Contents

📖Quran 2:256
Sahih International
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

📖Quran 18:19
And say, “The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.” Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.

Based on these verses, there is no punishment for someone who leaves Islam in this world, but God will punish a person if they do not believe, and it is a matter between God and that person. However, punishment applies when a person leaves Islam and starts insulting, mocking, or inciting violence and hatred in society.

📖Quran 4:137
Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief – never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way.

The meaning of this verse is that a person can leave Islam and return, and may even leave again. However, those who frequently shift between belief and disbelief, and continue to increase in their disbelief, are at risk of losing Allah’s forgiveness and guidance. This is because Allah values sincerity and steadfastness in faith, and such individuals may be seen as insincere or unstable in their beliefs, This verse clearly indicates that a person may leave and then accept again. This means that when someone leaves and lives peacefully, the punishment not applying if they simply leave due to any issue.

Islam and Apostasy Punishment

📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 4063
It was narrated that Al-Hasan said:
“The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: ‘Whoever changes his religion, kill him.

This is one of the most popular hadiths. Remember, it is not in the Qur’an but in the hadith, and most people simply copy it without considering the complete message. They often ignore the broader context, leaving other important details behind. It is advisable not to spread information without verifying it, as it could even lead a person to commit a crime. There are people from villages who may not know the full context, and if they read such an incomplete message, they might act on it and commit a crime. There is a law, and it should be understood in its entirety, not by isolating one verse or hadith. The context of this particular hadith is that it was revealed based on a specific situation, such as when a person left Islam and started mocking, insulting, and creating violence. In that context, the instruction to “kill them” was given. However, if all references are not included and someone selectively uses this one hadith to justify anything, it is not how professional scholars or knowledgeable individuals interpret it. If any Muslim takes this hadith out of context and kills someone just because they left Islam, they are committing murder.

The Full context of Sunan an-Nasa’i 4063

📖Quran 5:33
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.

Quran 5:33 addresses extreme cases of rebellion and corruption, prescribing severe punishments to safeguard society. However, it also highlights the importance of due process, proportionality, and the possibility of mercy through repentance. It reflects the Quran’s broader vision of justice and maintaining peace on earth.

📖Sahih Muslim 1676
The one who leaves his religion and separates from the community.

📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 4048
A man who left Islam and waged war against Allah, the Might and Sublime, and His Messenger, who should be killed, or crucified, or banished from the land.

This hadith mentions the case of a person who leaves Islam and actively wages war against Allah and His Messenger. This is understood to include actions such as spreading hate, inciting violence, or causing societal discord and corruption. The hadith prescribes severe punishments—such as execution, crucifixion, or exile—as measures to protect the community and maintain societal harmony by curbing corruption and violence. These rulings align with the Quranic perspective to uphold justice and peace in society. This emphasizes that the punishments are not for mere disbelief but for deliberate acts that threaten the well-being and unity of the community.

📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 4046
Whoever kills, spreads mischief in the land, and wages war against Allah and His Messenger, then joins the disbelievers before he can be caught, there is nothing to prevent the Hadd punishment being carried out on him because of what he did.

This hadith, Sunan an-Nasa’i 4046, outlines the severe consequences for those who engage in actions that harm society and undermine peace, such as murder, spreading corruption, or waging war against Allah and His Messenger. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining social harmony and justice by addressing such transgressions through legal measures.

The hadith also suggests that if an individual commits these crimes and then seeks refuge among disbelievers before being apprehended, the prescribed punishment (Hadd) is still applicable due to the gravity of their actions. In a broader sense, this highlights the necessity for leaders to uphold laws that deter hate, corruption, and violence, ensuring the welfare of society. For example, someone who leaves Islam and begins to insult the faith could instigate hatred and violence. To prevent such societal harm, it becomes the responsibility of authorities to take appropriate action to maintain peace and stop the spread of hostility. This aligns with the universal principle of protecting communities from harm and ensuring justice.

📖Quran 17:33
Sahih International
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].

Based on this verse In Islam, it’s not allowed to kill without right. If a person is found guilty of something, it is necessary to follow the law of the country, and it should be preceded by the law to exactly know the reason and verify everything before the punishment is applied. I accept that some Muslims may do unjust things, but that’s not based on Islam. These actions are based on their anger and personal desires and have nothing to do with Islam.

Avoiding Punishment and Prioritizing Mercy in Islam

📖Sahih Muslim 1784
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: One who goes away from us to join them-may Allah keep him away! and one who comes to join us from them (and is sent back) Allah will provide him relief and a way of escape.

📖Tirmidhi 1424
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Avert the legal penalties from the Muslims as much as possible, if he has a way out then leave him to his way, for if the Imam makes a mistake in forgiving it would be better than making mistake in punishment.

This hadith highlights the responsibility of the Islamic ruler or leader (Imam) to use discretion and make wise decisions when it comes to implementing legal penalties. The Prophet (ﷺ) suggests that it is better for the Imam to make a mistake in forgiving someone who may have committed a crime than to make a mistake in imposing punishment that is not justified or excessive.

Footnote:

In Islam, blasphemy against any of the prophets of God, as well as Archangel Gabriel and Michael, is considered a serious offense. The Quran specifically mentions that those who deny or reject any of God’s messengers, including Prophet Muhammad, are disbelievers and will face punishment in the Hereafter.

📖Quran 4:150-151
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, ‘We believe in some and disbelieve in others,’ and wish to adopt a way in between – those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

📖Quran 2:98
Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael – then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.

Additional Information

The issue of apostasy in Islam is complex, with varying interpretations and opinions among scholars and Muslim communities. While some interpret the Qur’an and Hadith as prescribing punishment for apostasy, the application of punishment is not always straightforward, and may depend on factors such as the individual’s circumstances, intentions, and mental state, even in countries where apostasy is considered a crime. Ultimately, Islam emphasizes the importance of free will and choice in matters of faith, and encourages individuals to seek knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions about their beliefs. Additionally, Islam promotes principles of justice, peace, and mercy, and discourages actions that may harm oneself or others.