Why does Islam sentence people to death for leaving the religion?

Question

Of 57 Islamic countries in the world, 7 have a law condemning to death anyone who leaves the faith. And Pakistan is currently considering adopting the same legislation. Why???

In the UK, there are currently several young women hiding after their lives have been threatened because they left Islam. Again, why, can anyone explain the logic?

In a study conducted by think tank Exchange Policy, 36% of British Muslims believe that those leaving Islam should be killed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtm/?xml

Please, can someone tell me how this is reconciled with what Muslims keep telling me about Islam being 'the religion of peace'?

METE- am just quoting from the article in the Telegraph I have linked to.

Answer 1

Apostasy is still punishable by death in many countries. Because Islam and the state are so closely related, leaving the Islamic faith can still be thought of by some as an act of political betrayal, especially in today's climate of polarization between Muslim and (Judeo-Christian) Western societies. Charges of apostasy are also often used against political enemies and intellectuals who make controversial claims about Islam or challenges conventional social standards.

Currently, the following countries have laws sanctioning the death penalty as a punishment for apostasy: Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Even in countries where the death penalty is not legally enforceable, there may be other punishments for apostasy, such as the dissolution of marriages in cases where an apostate spouse is married to a Muslim, as well as imprisonment, disinheritance, or corporal punishment.

Furthermore, Muslim clerics may issue fatwas declaring believers apostate, putting them at risk for violence at the hands of fundamentalists or even honor killings by their own family members.

The Koran does not call for the death penalty in cases of apostasy, which is why many more moderate clerics argue the death penalty is not sanctioned by God.

However the Hadith - the collected traditions, teachings, and stories of the prophet Muhammad, accepted as a source of Islamic doctrine and law second only to the Koran
- contain several passages supporting the use of the death penalty in cases of apostasy, a response more radical clerics support:


Ibn 'Umar, Az-Zuhri and Ibrahim said, "A female apostate (who reverts from Islam), should be killed. And the obliging of the reverters from Islam (apostates) to repent.

Allah said: — 'How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the Apostle (Muhammad) was true and that Clear Signs had come unto them? And Allah does not guide the wrong-doing people.

As for such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah, the Angels, and of all mankind. They will abide there-in (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened nor will it be postponed (for a while). Except for those that repent after that and make amends. Verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surely those who disbelieved after their belief, and go on adding to their defiance of faith, never will their repentance be accepted, and they are those who have gone astray.' (Sura 3:86-90) — Volume 9, Book 84, Chapter 2, p. 42-43."

57. Narrated 'Ikrima: Some Zanadiqas (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them.

The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'" — Volume 9, Book 84, Chapter 2, Number 57, page 45

58. Narrated Abu Burda: Abu Musa said, "I came to the Prophet along with two men (from the tribe) of Ash'ariyin, one on my right and the other on my left, while Allah's Apostle was brushing his teeth (with a Siwak), and both men asked him for some employment.

The Prophet said, 'O Abu Musa (O 'Abdullah bin Qais!).'

I said, 'By Him Who sent you with the Truth, these two men did not tell me what was in their hearts and I did not feel (realize) that they were seeking employment.'

As if I were looking now at his Siwak being drawn to a corner under his lips, and he said, 'we never (or, we do not) appoint for our affairs anyone who seeks to be employed. But O Abu Musa! (or 'Abdullah bin Qais!) Go to Yemen.'"

The Prophet then sent Mu'adh bin Jabal after him and when Mu'adh reached him, he spread out a cushion for him and requested him to get down (and sit on the cushion).

Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Musa. Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Musa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice.

Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, "Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, 'I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.'" — Volume 9, Book 84, Chapter 2, Number 58, p. 45-46.


Pay close attention to the fact that moderate and liberal Muslims are being targeted by the extremists. There are at least two very important messages conveyed by this fact, each to a different group. To many of the harshest critics of Islamic extremism, especially conservative Christian critics, this sends the message that Muslims are indeed not monolithic and can’t all be branded as terrorist threats. Muslims are among the biggest direct and indirect victims of Muslim extremism; it does no good to lump these victims into the same group as the criminals.

To the moderate and liberal Muslims, though, this also sends the message that they are not safe, not even in the West, so long as Muslim extremists continue to attract support around the world. They, too, are targets and they will be singled out by terrorists, criminals, and extremists. Standing up for liberal values and against the extremists will likely lead to even more danger, but it’s a price that absolutely has to be paid because keeping quiet will ensure that evil people will win.

Please visit this 2 links. They are quite interesting since they contain some Muslims' views on apostasy in Islam.

Answer 2

AsSalam & Peace on dear Jewish,

The link that you have referred to is not there, at first place.

I would consider it more of media propaganda than anything else as people converting to Islam at a very high rate threaten other religious leaders.

RELIGIOUSLY, there is no such Islamic Law and you will be surprised to know that Koran does not stop you from experiencing other religions even when you are a Muslim by birth, by reason or by choice.

As for Pakistan, it is a rumour indeed, at the moment I am very much stationed in Pakistan and there’s no such thing – such an approach is un Islamic & not appreciated by the learned clergymen – however this is a THOUGHT PATTERN of the FANATIC CLERGY which is highly abhorred by majority population of Pakistan.

You trust me!

Answer 3

Actually Islam is really different from the way majority of people practice it, death sentence for people who leave this religion is not in Islam, if some Muslim countries do this, it is completely against the religion...
I haven't heard about death penalty for leaving the religion being practiced in Pakistan and it will never happen, I don't know where you heard it from but your source is not correct...
As you mentioned about a study in UK 'British Muslims believe that those leaving Islam should be killed.' This is the belief of people not the religion, the majority of Muslims are uneducated and this is a perfect example of that, to understand Islam people need to have a broad thinking/mind... This is the difference between extremists and Islam...

Answer 4

muslims islamic religion basicly there idiots there laws have not changed in thosand years the rest of the world has moved on from these stupid laws they havent i mean this is a religion that believes it is just to kill women for not wearing the right clothes thats how backwards the laws are they need to catch up with the rest off the world i just wonder why any body would want to be a part of these religions

Answer 5

Islam - Religion of War, far from a religion of peace. Muhammad himself told to offer nonmuslims only three choices: Conversion, subjugation, or death.

- looking at some of the other answers I can see that there are a lot of people who have not studyed just what the Qur'an teaches.

Answer 6

I am appalled by their beliefs. For a faith to preach Peace and yet have NO regard for human life is not a religion but a cult. Their acts of terrorism against their own people and the rest of the world are intolerable. How have we been so blind? A following that built so large and worldwide causing chaos and corruption. You only hear one side of it. They have their own prostitution system, drug smuggling and dealing and soooo much more than we are allowed to know. Not only do they hide the truth but the governments as well. Most of the money is used to buy weapons of war and to continue their corrupt activities. They will also kill a woman if she wants a divorce. Women have no rights in their "faith". Do they know that? What a farce. They are only there to bear children and serve men's needs. What BS. We've been tortured enough by this. Now it's too late to stop it.

Answer 7

Just goes to show you about who we a dealing with on a extremist level. Wouldn't it be weird if we came out to night on the left wing news media and declared that all you who did not embrace the christian way of faith, will be killed. Talk about a war. You think we had a civil war once? Get back! Why the Muslims cannot under stand their own Bible,as it were, is beyond me. The rantings of a man or messiah, who would tell you to kill every one who did not except your beliefs is to say the least, is wrong! May God have mercy on us sinners. Amen.

Answer 8

Your original question is very misleading. Islam doesn't condemn people to death for leaving the religion. You are presenting a minority as if they were the majority, which is stereotypical and inaccurate. 7 countries have the laws, but 50 do not! 36% of U.K. Muslims support it, but 64% do not! It is not a religious issue at all. It is a cultural one. And the cultural problem involved is a matter of perceived threats to the radical Islamic minority. Those few that support such extreme measures do so because they perceive themselves as being in an extreme situation. They feel their way of life and culture is threatened by Western culture, and they are struggling to preserve their culture. Unable to do so, they resort to threats and violence. Religion, as usual, is the excuse, not the cause of violence. If it were not the religion, it would be race or gender or nationalism or cultural idealism driving their logic.

Answer 9

Islamic religion is not of peace or other thing it is their country constitution.
The act of condemning to death is a against the law.
The Occident should force them to act with the law when being here.

Answer 10

deb you say a mouth ful. yes if you have to use coercion or force or threat of force to hold people, then maybe you ought to reevaluate your belief system, my guess however that religion is just a tool of tyrants who want power for power sake, and not because they really believe the rhetoric they spew out to the masses.

many religious and political leaders do not believe the crap the feed teh masses, they are however are only interested in keeping control for their own sakes. they know that what they spew out are lies, but they abuse the trust people have in them, to accept as fact something they say is true simply because they say it.

but I am curious as to something, do they really kill people who leave islam or is that just something teh government wants people to believe about islam?

RRRRR

Answer 11

Islam and islamic culture is afraid to move on and clings to teachings centuries of years old. Many religions move on and re-invent themselves as the years go on, Catholisism and homosexuality for example, in a way Islam is correct to hold it's decrees in high regard trying to not bend from the teachings and keeping itself pure instead of bending to current popularity and trends. On the other hand, this has kept their religion in the days of the crusades and their views out-moded but who are we to judge! To us it seems barbaric and horrific but to many so is the electric chair, if people choose to follow such an old and traditional religion they have to accept that it's outmoded and barbaric, it is a crying shame but who are we to question the views and religions of other people, we don't like to be judged in a similar way, for example, our over use of natural resources, the waste of food when millions are starving, the unbelievable amount of money we throw at entertainers, I recently read that the top 20 wages for football players added together for a year was over 80% of Africa's GDP, that fact upsets me more than islamists killing each other over religion, let them get on with it and lets worry about those who we can save.........