Chapter: Execution of the Apostate and Acceptance of His Repentance
Narration:
ʿIkrimah رضي الله عنه reported:
It was brought to the attention of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه that there were some Zanādiqah (heretics), and he had them burnt. When this news reached ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, he said:
"Had it been me, I would not have burnt them because the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ forbade burning with the punishment of Allāh and said: ❝Do not punish with the punishment of Allāh.❞ Instead, I would have killed them, based on the statement of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ: ❝Whoever changes his religion, kill him.❞"
Reported by al-Bukhārī [Ḥadīth 6922]
❀ ➋ Inflicting punishment through fire is a unique attribute of Allāh ﷻ.
❀ ➌ Based on the clear instruction of Islam: ❝Whoever changes his religion, kill him❞ (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).
❀ ➍ A person who enters Islam, accepts it, and then renounces it by returning to disbelief (such as becoming a Jew, Christian, etc.) is termed a Murtad (apostate).
❀ ➎ The punishment for apostasy is execution.
❀ ➏ In present times, it is observed that some Christians temporarily declare conversion to Islam to contract marriage with Muslim women or for similar worldly purposes. After achieving their goal, they revert to Christianity. Such individuals also fall under the ruling mentioned in this ḥadīth. However, due to our weakness, we are incapable of enforcing the relevant Islamic laws.
Note:
This material is extracted from Ḍiyāʾ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām authored by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, and translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaḍanfar.
Narration:
ʿIkrimah رضي الله عنه reported:
It was brought to the attention of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه that there were some Zanādiqah (heretics), and he had them burnt. When this news reached ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, he said:
"Had it been me, I would not have burnt them because the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ forbade burning with the punishment of Allāh and said: ❝Do not punish with the punishment of Allāh.❞ Instead, I would have killed them, based on the statement of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ: ❝Whoever changes his religion, kill him.❞"
Reported by al-Bukhārī [Ḥadīth 6922]
✿ Authentication and Referencing:
- Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Ḥadīth 6922)
✿ Benefits and Lessons:
❀ ➊ It is impermissible to inflict punishment by means of fire.❀ ➋ Inflicting punishment through fire is a unique attribute of Allāh ﷻ.
❀ ➌ Based on the clear instruction of Islam: ❝Whoever changes his religion, kill him❞ (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī).
❀ ➍ A person who enters Islam, accepts it, and then renounces it by returning to disbelief (such as becoming a Jew, Christian, etc.) is termed a Murtad (apostate).
❀ ➎ The punishment for apostasy is execution.
❀ ➏ In present times, it is observed that some Christians temporarily declare conversion to Islam to contract marriage with Muslim women or for similar worldly purposes. After achieving their goal, they revert to Christianity. Such individuals also fall under the ruling mentioned in this ḥadīth. However, due to our weakness, we are incapable of enforcing the relevant Islamic laws.
Note:
This material is extracted from Ḍiyāʾ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām authored by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, and translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaḍanfar.
