Islam and Apostasy: Difference between revisions

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===Islamic Writing and Apostasy===
===Islamic Writing and Apostasy===
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Apostasy}}
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Apostasy}}
Islamic scriptures and scholars have much to say in regards to apostasy.
 
This page simply quotes authoritative Islamic sources, i.e. the Qur'an, hadith, and both classical and modern scholars, to provide you with an accurate picture of what Islam teaches in regards to apostasy.
 
{{ quote |{{Bukhari|9|83|17}} |  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." }}
 
{{ quote |{{Bukhari|4|52|260}} | Narrated Ikrima:  
{{ quote |{{Bukhari|4|52|260}} | Narrated Ikrima:  


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{{Main|Apostasy and Human Rights}}
{{Main|Apostasy and Human Rights}}
The full text taken from a paper that was presented by scholar Ibn Warraq at a panel discussion on "Apostasy, Human Rights, Religion and Belief" held at the the 60<sup>th</sup> Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, held in Geneva, 18<sup>th</sup> April 2005.
The full text taken from a paper that was presented by scholar Ibn Warraq at a panel discussion on "Apostasy, Human Rights, Religion and Belief" held at the the 60<sup>th</sup> Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, held in Geneva, 18<sup>th</sup> April 2005.
{{Quote||It is clear quite clear that under Islamic Law an apostate must be put to death. There is no dispute on this ruling among classical Muslim or modern scholars... Sura II.217 is interpreted by no less an authority than al-Shafi'i(died 820 C.E.), the founder of one of the four orthodox schools of law of Sunni Islam to mean that the death penalty should be prescribed for apostates. Sura II.217 reads: "... But whoever of you recants and dies an unbeliever , his works shall come to nothing in this world and the next, and they are the companions of the fire for ever." Al-Thalabi and al -Khazan concur. Al-Razi in his commentary on II:217 says the apostate should be killed .
Similarly, IV. 89: "They would have you disbelieve as they themselves have disbelieved, so that you may be all like alike. Do not befriend them until they have fled their homes for the cause of God. If they desert you seize them and put them to death wherever you find them. Look for neither friends nor helpers among them..." Baydawi (died c. 1315-16), in his celebrated commentary on the Koran, interprets this passage to mean: "Whosover turns back from his belief ( irtada ), openly or secretly, take him and kill him wheresoever ye find him, like any other infidel. Separate yourself from him altogether .Do not accept intercession in his regard". Ibn Kathir in his commentary on this passage quoting Al Suddi (died 745) says that since the unbelievers had manifested their unbelief they should be killed.}}


===Apostasy Laws and Their Impact on the Real World===
===Apostasy Laws and Their Impact on the Real World===
{{Main|Persecution of Ex-Muslims}}
{{Main|Persecution of Ex-Muslims}}


Ex-Muslims are often persecuted, abused and killed by Muslims. This treatment of apostates is not simply down to the issue of state-enforced religion as some may suggest. The violence or threats of violence against apostates in the Muslim world usually derives, not from government authorities, but from family members and individuals from the Islamic communities themselves, who operate very often with impunity from the government. This point is further emphasized by the persecution and murder of ex-Muslims which has now become evident in many non-Muslim societies. For example; in 2007 the daughter of a British Imam was taken under police protection after receiving death threats from her father (a leader of a mosque in Lancashire) for converting to Christianity.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/imams-daughter-in-hiding-after-her-conversion-to-christianity-sparked-death-threats-7291664.html|2=2012-10-12}} Imam's daughter in hiding after her conversion to Christianity sparked death threats] - London Evening Standard, December 6, 2007</ref> While the plight of the ex-Muslim is largely ignored by the mainstream media, thanks to the internet we can often catch a glimpse of their untold suffering.
Former Muslims are often persecuted, abused and killed by Muslims. This treatment of apostates is not simply down to the issue of state-enforced religion as some may suggest. The violence or threats of violence against apostates in the Muslim world usually derives, not from government authorities, but from family members and individuals from the Islamic communities themselves, who operate very often with impunity from the government. This point is further emphasized by the persecution and murder of former Muslims which has now become evident in many non-Muslim societies. For example, in 2007 the daughter of a British Imam was taken under police protection after receiving death threats from her father (a leader of a mosque in Lancashire) for converting to Christianity.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/imams-daughter-in-hiding-after-her-conversion-to-christianity-sparked-death-threats-7291664.html|2=2012-10-12}} Imam's daughter in hiding after her conversion to Christianity sparked death threats] - London Evening Standard, December 6, 2007</ref>  


===Notable Former Muslims===
===Notable Former Muslims===
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{{Main|People Who Left Islam|Comments from Former Muslims}}
{{Main|People Who Left Islam|Comments from Former Muslims}}


Muslims often (sometimes [[Fake Conversions|falsely]]) advertise news of non-Muslims converting to Islam, but they don't tell the other side of the story, where Muslims are also leaving Islam. There are more Muslims leaving Islam today than there are new converts joining it.<ref>[http://www.formermuslims.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=972 6 Million Muslims LEAVE Islam every year!] Shiekh Ahmed Katani, speaking with Maher Abdallah</ref> In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 6 million Muslims are leaving Islam each and every year. Once the majority faith of the continent, they are now the minority with Christianity being the majority. The sheer volume of recent apostates is unprecedented in the history of Islam. Here at WikiIslam, we document this news and host hundreds of written testimonies. [[Image:Crystal Clear action edit add.png|15px]] [[Special:Form/newapostate|Add your testimony.]]
Muslims often (sometimes [[Fake Conversions|falsely]]) advertise news of non-Muslims converting to Islam, but they do not tell the other side of the story, where Muslims are also leaving Islam. There are more Muslims leaving Islam today than there are new converts joining it.<ref>[http://www.formermuslims.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=972 6 Million Muslims LEAVE Islam every year!] Shiekh Ahmed Katani, speaking with Maher Abdallah</ref> In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 6 million Muslims are leaving Islam each and every year. Once the majority faith of the continent, they are now the minority with Christianity being the majority. The sheer volume of recent apostates is unprecedented in the history of Islam. Here at WikiIslam, we document this news and host hundreds of written testimonies.  


==Other Important Articles==
==Other Important Articles==
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{{Main|Helpful Hints for Ex-Muslims}}
{{Main|Helpful Hints for Ex-Muslims}}


Even in free and secular societies, life for the Islamic apostate is often a difficult and dangerous one, as a recent poll in the United Kingdom found out (1 out of 3 British Muslims aged 16 to 24 believe that Muslim apostates should be executed).<ref>Stephen Bates - [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/thinktanks/story/0,,2000984,00.html More young Muslims back sharia, says poll] - The Guardian, January 29, 2007</ref> This article offers Practical advice for new apostates.
Even in free and secular societies, life for the Islamic apostate is often a difficult and dangerous one, as a recent poll in the United Kingdom found out (1 out of 3 British Muslims aged 16 to 24 believe that Muslim apostates should be executed).<ref>Stephen Bates - [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/thinktanks/story/0,,2000984,00.html More young Muslims back sharia, says poll] - The Guardian, January 29, 2007</ref> This article offers practical advice for new apostates.


===Help Others to Leave Islam===
===Help Others to Leave Islam===
{{Main|Enlightening Others to Leave Islam}}
{{Main|Enlightening Others to Leave Islam}}


An article that focuses on convincing others to leave Islam. By examining important issues and questions, it can serve as a starting point for further research and discussion. We should always remember to respect the individual Muslim, but be critical of Islam. After-all, they're in need of our help.
An article that focuses on convincing others to leave Islam. By examining important issues and questions, it can serve as a starting point for further research and discussion. We should always remember to respect the individual Muslim, but be critical of Islam.  


===Apostasy Discussed in Arabic/Islamic Media===
===Apostasy Discussed in Arabic/Islamic Media===
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