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.jhtml;?xml

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

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

I think your information is correct. I have often wondered why Islam carries out the death sentence in these cases. How many of those executed might return to their faith later on if they had been shown mercy and allowed to live? Also, what real proof can there be that a person was originally a Muslim inside, in their own thoughts? In Christianity, we also believe that the death penalty is deserved for murder and other serious crimes, based upon the Law of Moses. As a Christian I agree with Moses, but I do not agree that I (or anyone else) has the right to take another person's life. I have two reasons for believing this way; 1. That we are not God and so we are not qualified to judge correctly, and if we make a mistake about someone's guilt, we commit murder by executing them. 2. If we condemn another to death, we are showing no mercy. Our faith also teaches us that God will only show mercy to us on judgement day, if we have shown mercy to others. For these two reasons, I am personally against the death penalty for any crime.

Answer 3

HI there!
Well first of all I will just like to answer your last bit of your Q, The bit where you said that some muslims tell you it is the religion of peace bit....

well first of all different people adapt to a religion differently and the way they were bought up...i.e. strict or non strict manners could determine this. However i will not generalise...Basically not all muslims are the same and i would be one of the muslims that tell you that islam is a religion of peace...and really different people in different religions will have different perspectives on their religion..so it varies amongst every person....
But at the end of the day the Qu'ran is the first and last testament of our religion and has remained unchanged ever since...so it is not our religion that is going wrong in but instead it is people who differ to it...if you know what i mean.

i hope i have been somewhat help to you

peace

x

Answer 4

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 5

If you'd seen newsnight last wednesday, you'd have seen the item where the Exchange Policy 'study' was shown to be a fraud. Those 'hate books' for which they had the receipts... the receipts weren't real. They'd been printed on the same inkjet printer, and despite the shops supposedly being hundreds of miles apart, the same handwriting was on several of them.

The think-tank wasn't able to put any of their researchers forward to be interviewed by Jeremy Paxman, as they were all on a 'Religious Retreat'. Hmmm - the words 'Axe' and 'Grind' spring immediately to mind.

Answer 6

the think tanks are more dangerous as the iron tanks.

pls tell me how many ex muslims were killed in the last 1400 years. Do a google search on 'ex muslims' and u can see how many "dead bodies" *smirk* are talking about islam in their webpages.

the law applies not for normal conversion under normal circumstances. this punishment applies only for what is known as the "fifth column" cases. in war and in cases of political & military treason. (Bear in mind, Islam has its own political and military ideology). tell me which punishment is given out in fifth column cases in any political and military constitution. Which super modern constitution in this world give the same rights to a "fifth column"er as to a normal citizen?

the christian missionaries (very active in pakistan) reported that a big number of muslims have converted to christianity every day, tell me are they all dead? Were they hanged already by the Govt. of pakistan?

Mdm, your question is misleading and only creates a destructive atmostphere which is against the possibility of a peaceful dialogue. like the many other antagonising questions so rampant everywhere, coming from people who claims that LOVE is their faith.

and don't forget according to the us media, mr obama is an ex muslim or something like this. his name is still a beautiful muslim name.

Answer 7

They do not want them to become infidels?
I really enjoy living in a western nation due to freedom of religion!
Heres an interesting case from canada
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2005/12/29/honour-killing051229.html

Answer 8

Muhammad knew that everyone would leave islam eventually if they didn't have that threat of death. He made sure that islam would grow, like cancer.

God Bless.

Answer 9

cause islamic people believe in 1 God and if any muslim leaves this religion they have to be killed because they left the religion and that means they don't believe in 1 God.

Answer 10

They might say that the word "islam" is derived from salam (peace) but really it is derived from "slim" or a word relating to SUBMISSION. (not peace)
They are trying to market the faith by fraudulently presenting it as something which it is not, but what might appeal to you. Ignore them.

Answer 11

Islam is the only Religion in the world that doesn't teach tolerance , love and respect for all faiths.This is also a religion which is very cruel towards the women.