If "there is no compulsion in Islam," why is apostasy a capital crime under Shari'ah?

Question

The real answer is that there is compulsion in Islam; that verse was abrogated by later revelations.

Answer 1

No verse is abrogated in the Quran in the sense that it is invalid and do not need to be followed. There are verse that were revealed progressively, just like in the case of alcohol prohibition. First verse was revealed that you should not stand for prayer in a state of drowsiness and then later verse was revealed completely prohibiting alcohol. So the earlier verse stating that do not stand in prayer in state of drowsiness is still valid. There is also no verse before that allowed alcohol.


There is no death sentance for apostacy as some claims, it is against the Quran itself
What Quran says about those leaving faith
"O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- " Quran 5: 54.

"Those who believe, then reject faith, then believe (again) and (again) reject faith, and go on increasing in unbelief,- Allah will not forgive them nor guide them nor guide them on the way." Quran 4:137.

Quran only says he will not be forgiven and will not be guided if he repeatedly believes and disbelieve. How can a person repeatedly disbelieve if there is death for apostasy ?

"There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; " Quran 2:256.
There is no question of this verse in Quran being invalidated by another verse, since in the second part of the verse it is stated that "Truely the right way has become clearly distinct from error". So if the first part is invalidated, then second part also become invalidated, meaning "right way is not distinct from error"

So dear brother, There is no question of verses becoming invalidated and if some one claims that a part of Quran has been invalidated and do not need to be followed, then see the following verse from Quran
"Do you then believe in a part of the Book and disbelieve in the other? What then is the reward of such among you as do this but disgrace in the life of this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be sent back to the most grievous chastisement, and Allah is not at all heedless of what you do. " Quran 2 :85

Answer 2

It is a good question. I'll try my best to explain it.
Allah created man to think for himself and to choose for himself what is right and what is wrong. Once you become a Muslim (a believer) you have to try to be a good Muslim and follow the laws of Islam (Shariah). Like when you become a citizen of a country you have to live by the laws of the country and each country has different laws. Like in USA, one thing may be forbidden in a state but allowed in another. You can compare for understanding purposes this rule to Islam. You can choose which country you want to live in but once you enter that country you have to obey the rules.
In Islam the major sin is to associate partners with Allah. This sin will not be forgiven. Like when you commit a crime (break a law), you have punishment. And so after you become a Muslim, you decide to change your religion, it makes you a hypocrite in Islam. And therefore it is a crime and the punishment is harsh.

Answer 3

Heh many passages can be very easily taken more than one way...much like christianity, its holy scriptures are full of some whoppin' contradictions

Answer 4

Perhaps the politicians (writers of the shari'ah) hijacked your religion? (no pun intended with that word "hijacked")

Answer 5

I completely agree with White_Falcon above. For more info:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1141277529583

Answer 6

Bravo. A very good question. It would be interesting to see how muslims respond.

Answer 7

Because, some don't feel that way?