Riddah (apostasy) - Intolerable betrayal

The Islamic State does not tolerate this greatest betrayal that Riddah (apostasy) represents towards the Supreme Creator in any way. A person who commits this and converts from Islam to another religion, is liable to death penalty in the Islamic state. But, firstly, the Islamic State gives him the opportunity for a few days to repent. If he does not repent and maintains his position, then according to the Islamic law, he must be executed. In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Whoever changes his Deen (Islam), then kill him." (Saheeh Bukhari)

Ibn Qudamah says in his Al-Mughni:

"The scholars are unanimous on the obligation of executing those who committed Irtidaad (apostasy). This has been reported from Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Usmaan (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Mu'az (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abu Musa (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Khalid (Radiyallahu Anhu) and others. And this has not been contested. Thus, it represents a consensus."

According to some scholars, this applies to a man. As for a woman who committed that, she will be imprisoned until she repents. In any case, a Muslim does not have the right to renounce his religion. It is not permissible for him to abandon his Deen. There is no reason or circumstance under which a Muslim has the right to renounce Islam. Whoever renounces Islam after having accepted it, is a traitor and a rebel. A traitor or a rebel is the worst enemy of a state. Thus, a Murtad is the worst enemy for an Islamic state.

[English version of "Riddah (l’apostasie) – Trahison intolérable" – Al Jamiat – Vol.4 No.8]