Q: Assalam-o-Alaikum, I am a student studying at BYU . Since i am studying at a religious school off course Christian, it’s not uncommon for me to come across people who ask question about Islam. There are a lot of questions but one question that I was recently asked is about people who convert to another faith from Islam, since the common belief in Pakistan is that They should be murdered. However personally since Islam gives everyone the freedom to practice there religion I don’t find it very convincing that a punishment like this would be prescribed  for a person who wants to convert from Islam. Hence I didn’t really have an answer for this question. So would you please clarify what exactly is Islam’s perspective on this issue and how should this question be addressed. I have looked at your website and I really appreciate the work you are doing, since it has helped me present a better image of Islam to my friends. Thanks a lot.
Ahsan Javed

Time: Saturday November 14, 2009 at 4:01 pm

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We thank you for your question and polite words. The environment that you are part of makes your question a fair and valid one indeed.

Part 1) You need not be an apologist for Islam or the sharia or anything that Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) has prescribed. Being an apologist is simply not my task nor your task. Your stereotype of Pakistan wanting to have renegades murdered is a misrepresentation from a sharia perspective. We are not saying this does not happen in the various parts of the world, but to limit such behavior as part of Islamic (and Pakistani) law is not necessarily accurate. (I just do not know all the facts that surround all such cases so as to to be bold in making such a broad claim!)

Reality check

The punishment for abandoning ones faith is not new to Islam and its sister religions. I am sure you are aware of this fact from your nonMuslim friends that wish to be fair about this matter. So don’t be shy to articulate an Islamic point of view from time to time in a balanced manner. In light of ‘political correctness,’ this may be difficult for you to accomplish. Your sincere effort would not exist in vain. Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) never lets any good deed go by without a fair compensation.

In the West, the aspect of punishment for a thief, murderer, rapist, molester in accordance to the Islamic principle would not apply. Muslims residing in the West do understand this, and thus follow the laws of their given environment, so long as there core Islamic values are not sacrificed. Western nations functioning in the best interest of lowering all types of heinous crimes should evaluate methods that could reduce the harm placed upon the innocent by examining religious scriptures including the Quran and Sunnah.

As Muslims, it is better for us to focus on the need of helping our friends focus on solving the current ills of our society by using and not abusing the system at hand. Talking of Islamic systems that cannot be employed functions as mere time wasting strategy.

Part 2) A person becoming a renegade does not always warrant the punishment you have outlined. Islam does give a person a choice. They must take their renegade ideas away from Muslim lands. Should they refuse, then like the law of every land, a consequence would be meted out. As you are aware, Islam is not against nonMuslims — for in Muslim lands, non-Muslims are awarded the luxury to reside, take part in commerce, etc. Likewise, America in not against Muslims when it gives them a fair punishment for wrongs committed on US soil. This principle applies to all civilized societies.

The renegade must be explained Islam, for sometimes it is due to the lack of understanding a person adopts another faith.

Punishment types

The punishment would vary from Islamic country to Islamic country. It could be inclusive of imprisonment, banishment, (or mere pardoning on the part of the leadership, should they so desire) etc. Generally, should the renegade insist on another religion whilst taking benefit from the Islamic state, then in such a situation a judge would request them to reside elsewhere. Should the renegade refuse the courts’ decision and continue to perpetrate methods of hostility towards innocent Muslims, then the consequences of such actions could result in an adverse outcome.

We suggest you focus on topics that you have a better understanding off.

Thanking you again for your concern on this matter. Keep the questions coming.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.