The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law. It’s based on the Qur’an: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.” (Qur’an 4:89)
A hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
This is still the position of all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, both Sunni and Shi’ite. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the most renowned and prominent Muslim cleric in the world, has stated: “The Muslim jurists are unanimous that apostates must be punished, yet they differ as to determining the kind of punishment to be inflicted upon them. The majority of them, including the four main schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) as well as the other four schools of jurisprudence (the four Shiite schools of Az-Zaidiyyah, Al-Ithna-‘ashriyyah, Al-Ja’fariyyah, and Az-Zaheriyyah) agree that apostates must be executed.”
Qaradawi also once famously said: “If they had gotten rid of the apostasy punishment, Islam wouldn’t exist today.”
“Two Christians Still Awaiting Trial Years after their Arrests,” International Christian Concern, June 8, 2024:
6/8/2024 Egypt (International Christian Concern) — For more than two years, Egyptian authorities have held two Christian men without a trial. Their crime? Answering theological questions on Facebook.
Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo and Nour Girgis were detained in late 2021 for their interactions with a Facebook group called “Al Abareen,” which means “to cross over.” The group supports new Christians who left Islam. Upon their arrest, Egyptian authorities attempted to link the men’s interactions with the page to terrorist activities.
During the last two years, authorities have moved the two men to multiple detention centers as their trials have been repeatedly postponed. Abdo and Girgis have been kept in poor living conditions and have had limited interaction with their families or legal counsel.
Abdo, a Yemeni refugee who is married with children, was charged with joining a terrorist group, having contempt for Islam, and discriminating against Islam. He suffers from heart and living [sic] conditions. In April 2024, prison authorities denied him medical treatment for chest pains. He is currently being held at the 10th Ramadan Prison in Egypt.
Girgis, who was transferred to a terrorism unit and accused of leading Al Abareen, was charged with blaspheming Islam and discussing religious conversion online. He endured several interrogations, as well as emotional and physical torture….
somehistory says
If they were mozlum being held someplace nice, clean and with all of the medical available, there would be riots and chants and lies told about there treatment.
As it is, being Christian is enough for them to be lied about, tortured, neglected in their health and ignored by those outside egypt, because as Jesus said, “You will be objects of hatred by all of the nations on account of my Name.”.
Jesus promised that He will return and bring vengeance upon those who mistreat His brothers, His children. Many deny, but the Day is coming and “fruits” will be repaid or rewarded according to Divine Justice.
Tony Rice says
WHAT reason does Islam give for the dire punishment for anyone changing their mind. Bearing in mind many Muslims are because of being forced to ” believe ” or be killed, it is not unreasonable for them , when free to do so, to leave Islam. So what is THE reason for them being killed, as per the requirement of Muhammad. Other religions have freedom of thought, and as for Judaism, one cannot join except by studying for 3 years and then be judged by a Rabbi as being a genuine convert and believer. What a contrast with Islam, convert or be killed.
Mike says
Tony: here’s another thing worth noting. In Islam, you just have to say the Shahada, even if you don’t understand the religion very well. Then, you cannot change your mind later, under Islamic law.
In Judaism, as you note, you usually need to do an average of 3 years of study. A Rabbi test you on your knowledge, and will even give you reasons why you might not want to convert to Judaism.
OLD GUY says
Islamic FREEDOM on the front page.