Apostasy in Islam: An Overview of Sources and Positions

Abstract

Apostasy in Islam is a topical issue. Apostasy is a criminal offence in certain Muslim-majority countries, sometimes subject to capital punishment. Although all forms of leaving Islam boil down to apostasy, it seems that historically and in our current time, conversion to Christianity is the most sensitive. According to most Muslim scholars, apostasy in Islam is tantamount to high treason and rebellion, making it a political crime. Modern Muslim scholars who object to the death penalty for apostasy argue that an apostate cannot be killed for merely the probability of demonstrating hostility or taking up arms toward the Muslim community. They also argue that the Qur’ān guarantees freedom of religion and that the Prophet Muḥammad never killed anyone for apostasy.