What does Islam say about a Muslim converting to another religion?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

The corporal punishment that should be implemented on an apostate is death as the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”

“Allah’s Apostle said, The blood of a Muslim, who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims.” (Bukhari Vol 9, Book 83, Number 17)

Narrated ‘Ikrima: ‘Ali burnt some people and this news reached ibn ‘Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s Punishment.’ No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.’ (Bukhari, Vol 4, Book 52, Number 260)

The Amal (actions) of the Sahabah on implementing the punishment of death on the apostates:

1) Narrated Abu Musa: A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu’adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu’adh asked, “What is wrong with this (man)?” Abu Musa replied, “He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism.” Mu’adh said, “I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle.” (Bukhari, Vol 9, Book 89, Number 271)

2) Narrated ‘Ikrima: ‘Ali burnt some people and this news reached ibn ‘Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s Punishment.’ No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.’ (Bukhari, Vol 4, Book 52, Number 260)

The punishment to an apostate is death, this is also according to the Ijma’ (concensus) of the Fuqaha (jurists). (Al Mabsoot Lis Sarakhsi Vol. 10 Pg. 98, Badai’ 7/134, Raddul Muhtar 4/226- Darse Tirmidhi 5/111)

The reason of given the punishment of death to an apostates:

The corporal punishment of a person who apostates, is death because Allaah legislated so, and we cannot object His Decree. Allaah Ta’ala Says (which means): {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.}[Quran 33:36]. Moreover, this apostate knew the greatness of Islam and that it is the true religion, but then he rejected it and abandoned it just because of following his desires and following the devil, so he deserves to be killed.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK