Apostasy... by Prophet Muhammad

"Whoever changes his Islamic religion, then kill him"

One of the hot topics I've come across is that of apostasy in Islam.  Its also a topic of discussion that seems to lead many of our Muslim brothers and sisters to either:

1. Avoid talking about the subject because obviously it's not a comfortable one.
2. State that these verses in the Hadith are "translated" from Arabic to English and do not have the same meaning and therefore we need to seek the guidance of a scholar for the true meaning.
3. Agree with Prophet Muhammad and enact the ruling on apostates based on the Prophet's example or their own interpretation or understanding.
4. Heard about others talking about apostasy but have never actually read it in the Hadith and it comes to them as an initial shock, but decide to turn a blind eye.

Rather than post all of the verses that relate to apostasy and reading into each example, the purpose here is to simply draw light on the subject and let the reader understand for themselves and thus I will comment on a couple examples.  Below is a list of multiple references to assist in your own research. 

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QURAN:
Many non-Muslims may be surprised to hear that the Quran does not explicitly state that apostates from Islam should be killed.  In my research I have not found any verses that prescribe such a penalty.

HADITH:

[1] Narrated 'Abdullah: 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."      

[2] Narrated Ikrima, "Some zanadiqa (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 messenger forbade it, saying, "Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire)." I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Messenger, "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."

[3] Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: A bedouin gave the Pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for Islam. Then the bedouin got fever at Medina, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge," But Allah's Apostle refused. Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused Then he came to him (again) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Cancel my Pledge." But the Prophet refused. The bedouin finally went out (of Medina) whereupon Allah's Apostle said, "Medina is like a pair of bellows (furnace): It expels its impurities and brightens and clears its good.

           

Three simple things stand out to me:

• [1] 1st is that Prophet Muhammad actually set conditions for apostasy.
• [2] 2nd is that Prophet Muhammad's companions in fact reference what he told them and they scold one another for going against their prophet's teachings because they burnt a few atheists.
• [3] 3rd is that although Prophet Muhammad did not have the bedouin killed for his desire of apostasy, it's inconsistent with his other commands.

I personally find it appalling that a Prophet of Allah would state that reverts from Islam (under certain conditions) should be killed.  Although I can see that Prophet Muhammad was being merciful to the bedouin who wanted to leave Islam, its unsettling to see a prophet pick and choose who lives and who dies.  It may be that this bedouin was spared death because he "asked" Prophet Muhammad to cancel his pledge.  Had the bedouin said that he "rejects" Islam, the consequences may have been different.

THE KEY:

• Prophet Muhammad said what he said, his companions listened and history shows. 

THE QUESTIONS:

• How can Muslims reconcile in their heart what their beloved prophet said and did in regards to apostates from Islam? 
• How does Prophet Muhammad follow the teachings of Jesus by giving this command, knowing that the Quran confirms the Bible?
• Why are there two sides of religious teaching in regards to the penalty of apostasy?  I have read and listened to religious leaders and scholars that either renounce the killing of apostates or are for the killing of apostates.  The mere fact that the Islamic world differs greatly should lead one to go back to the original sources and read for themselves instead of relying on modern interpretations of the teachings in my humble opinion. 

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

Bukhari	Muslim
[1] Volume 9, Book 84, No. 17	Book 1, No 29
[2] Volume 9, Book 84, No. 57	Book 16, No. 4152
Volume 9, Book 84, No. 58	Book 16, No. 4154
[3] Volume 9, Book 89, No. 318

REFERENCE WEBSITES:

• (Islamic) Apostasy and Islam
• (Islamic) Q&A The Punishment of Apostasy in Islam
• (Christian) The Punishment For Apostasy From Islam