❀ Question:
Why is a person born into disbelief generally tolerated by society, while a Muslim who leaves Islam (murtad) faces severe consequences? Why do legal and societal systems treat these two types of disbelievers differently?✔ Fundamental Difference Between the Two:
➊ Inborn Disbeliever:Someone born into a non-Islamic faith is given a distinct societal status. They live under societal contracts and state laws and are allowed to practice their faith within the legal framework. Their life and property are protected under Islamic governance.
➋ Apostate (Murtad):
A person who embraces Islam and then leaves it is seen not just as a religious offender but as a traitor and rebel in the legal and societal sense. Apostasy breaks a moral and communal pledge, and thus becomes an act that threatens religious cohesion and public order.
✿ Human Nature and Social Behavior:
➊ Communal Trust:Joining a group builds trust and mutual relationships. Leaving that group, especially in a hostile or public manner, is perceived as betrayal and invites backlash.
➋ Perception of Treachery:
Someone who was never part of a community may not be targeted with hostility. But one who joins and later defects is seen as a traitor, triggering natural enmity and suspicion.
✔ Legal Systems and State Stability:
➊ Foreigners vs. Rebels:Every nation differentiates between a foreigner and a traitor. A foreigner, though not part of the state, is tolerated under laws. But a person who becomes part of the state and later rebels against it faces harsh consequences.
➋ Preserving Social Order:
For a society to function, its members must honor collective commitments. A person who destabilizes this unity is considered a threat and dealt with accordingly.
❖ Example from Military Law:
In all countries, military law is strict: a person can voluntarily join the army but cannot abandon it at will, especially during wartime. Desertion may result in capital punishment, as it endangers the discipline and integrity of the armed forces.✔ Necessity of Firm Action Against Apostasy:
Apostasy undermines the integrity of the religious and social system. Strong measures serve to:◉ Deter future threats,
◉ Preserve collective stability,
◉ Reinforce community loyalty.
