The Punishment of the Apostate according to Islamic Law

I am always on the lookout for original texts from Islamic scholars on the issue of Apostasy in Islam. Today I happened to come across a book by very famous and influential Pakistani Islamic scholar, (late) Maududi. He was also the founder of Pakistan's influential political party
Jama't -e-Islami.

His book on the subject of Apostasy was originally published in Urdu language as "Murtadd ki Saza Islami Qanun men", which in English translates to "The Punishment of the Apostate according to Islamic Law".

Here is the first paragraph from this book.

To everyone acquainted with Islamic law it is no secret that according to Islam the punishment for a Muslim who turns to kufr (infidelity, blasphemy) is execution. Doubt about this matter first arose among Muslims during the final portion of the nineteenth century as a result of speculation. Otherwise, for the full twelve centuries prior to that time the total Muslim community remained unanimous about it. The whole of our religious literature clearly testifies that ambiguity about the matter of the apostate's execution never existed among Muslims. The expositions of the Prophet, the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (Khulafa'-i Rashidun), the great Companions (Sahaba) of the Prophet, their Followers (Tabi'un), the leaders among the mujtahids and, following them, the doctors of the shari'ah of every century are available on record. All these collectively will assure you that from the time of the Prophet to the present day one injunction only has been continuously and uninterruptedly operative and that no room whatever remains to suggest that perhaps the punishment of the apostate is not execution.


He then goes on presenting the proof from Quran and Hadith as follows:


"Here I wish briefly to offer proof that will quiet the doubt in the hearts of those who, for lack of sources of information, may think that perhaps the punishment of death did not exist in Islam but was added at a later time by the "mawlawis" (religious leaders) on their own.

God Most High declares in the Qur'an:

But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief -- Lo! they have no binding oaths in order that they may desist. (9:11,12)[1]


After the Qur'an we turn to the Hadith. This is the command of the Prophet:

1. Any person (i.e., Muslim) who has changed his religion, kill him.[3]"

So, as you can see that when I started this blog, I made a point that I am really scared of the consequences of my act of Apostasy. This is no joke. It still comes as a shock to my non Muslims friends when I tell them that my act of Apostasy could end up in my being killed.

I have not even yet talked about the fear of extra judicial killing. If the state of Pakistan does not kill me, it does not mean that a mob would not. Extra judicial killings are too common in Pakistan. You may have heard of 'Honor killings' where a husband/father/brother is justified in killing his wife/daughter/sister if he is in any way suspicious of her.