Muslims: Islam Does Not Allow Corporeal Punishent for Apostasy

[tariqkhwaja]

Assalamualaikum.

It is popularly believed in Muslim circles that apostasy (converting from a Muslim to a non-Muslim) is punishable by death.

Yet the Quran presents the exact opposite picture. Our Holy Book tells us that

There is no compulsion in religion ... [2:257]

And the Quran gives the most wonderful reason for there being no compulsion

... Surely, the right way has become distinct from error ... [2:257]

Quran tells us that the teachings of Islam are so rational that for an honest and rational human being the right and wrong way are distinct. That is why force is not at all required to prevent people from becoming non-Muslims. Force is always used when rationality fails to convince people. But the Quran tells us that if the rationality of Islam is not convincing it is because of the individual's dishonesty and he/she shall be punished in the hereafter for that.

The above-mentioned verse should be sufficient but if that leaves some of the Muslims unconvinced:

A section of the people of the Book urge some from among themselves: why not affirm, in the early part of the day, belief in that which has been revealed unto the believers and repudiate it in the latter part of the day, perchance they may turn away from their faith.

It is a hadith but a hadith stored by God in the Quran. It used to happen that the Jews would do this. These verses were revealed in Medina after Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) became victorious over Mekkah. But if even this is not evidence enough to convince you then:

Those who believe, then disbelieve, then again believe, then disbelieve and thereafter go on increasing in disbelief, Allah will never forgive them, nor guide them to any way of deliverance. [4.138]

No mention of corporeal punishment.

My plea to Muslims ... please stop attributing this false belief to Islam.

[TashaN]

This is indeed, a very important topic. I'll come back to discuss this with you.

[not4me]

I agree; people should be free to adhere to or leave Islam without any punishment. No compulsion in religion. This is the freedom of belief that Islam granted.

[tariqkhwaja]

Abu Khalid? You said you will come back to this? Any comments.

[TashaN]

I'm sorry that i totally forgot about this one. I apologize.First of all, regarding apostasy, before we go into the evidences from the Quran and Sunnah. I want to make sure that you uphold, BOTH, the Quran and sunnah, as a crucial part of Islam, because some people don't care of what Propet Mohammed say and they care only about the Quran alone. So?

[tariqkhwaja]

Everything Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said was in line with the Quran and there can be no contradiction.

IF a contradiction is found then the Hadith/Sunnah did not exist and was fabricated intentionally or unintentionally and the Quran MUST be given higher precedence. It is better, however, to find a point of agreement between the Quran and Hadith/Sunnah in case of what might seem like (but might not be) a contradiction. But if this is not possible then Quran MUST be given higher precedence.

That is what I uphold.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

Everything Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said was in line with the Quran and there can be no contradiction.

IF a contradiction is found then the Hadith/Sunnah did not exist and was fabricated intentionally or unintentionally and the Quran MUST be given higher precedence. It is better, however, to find a point of agreement between the Quran and Hadith/Sunnah in case of what might seem like (but might not be) a contradiction. But if this is not possible then Quran MUST be given higher precedence.

That is what I uphold.

And who can decide either what does appear to be contradicting the Quran to be the real word of prophet Mohammed or not? do you think you are well versed in the Quran to know either something is contradicitng with the Quran or not? will you reject the word of Rasul Allah just because you THINK it contradict the Quran?

[tariqkhwaja]

No I do not claim to know the Quran so well. But we have no alternative.

From your argument I guess we are forced to accept ALL Sahih hadith as someway or another in line with the Quran. Is that what you are saying?

My proposition is we stick to common sense and logic. If there are obvious contradictions then the Sunnah/Hadith must be done away with.

In fact, an even better option for you would be to try to prove your point using the Quran first and Hadith second. But I don't think you want to use that option.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by tariqkhwaja

No I do not claim to know the Quran so well. But we have no alternative.

From your argument I guess we are forced to accept ALL Sahih hadith as someway or another in line with the Quran. Is that what you are saying?

My proposition is we stick to common sense and logic. If there are obvious contradictions then the Sunnah/Hadith must be done away with.

In fact, an even better option for you would be to try to prove your point using the Quran first and Hadith second. But I don't think you want to use that option.

First of all, what do you think of this hadith:"There will be a man with full stomach, reclining on his pillow, who will hear a command from me and say, "Let the judge between us (in this matter) be Allah's Book: we obey whetever we find in it." [Know that] indeed, I have been given the Book and, with it, that which is similar to it (the Sunnah)." (Ahmad, Abu Dawud Vol. IV, p. 200, Saheeh ul-Jaami, Ibn Hajar, al-Isaba, Vol. I, p. 488)

[tariqkhwaja]