This could lead to converts facing professional difficulties or worse. The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law. It’s based on the Qur’an: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.” (Qur’an 4:89)
A Sunni hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). This is not just a Sunni idea; the death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
This is still the position of all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, both Sunni and Shi’ite. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the most renowned and prominent Muslim cleric in the world, has stated: “The Muslim jurists are unanimous that apostates must be punished, yet they differ as to determining the kind of punishment to be inflicted upon them. The majority of them, including the four main schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) as well as the other four schools of jurisprudence (the four Shiite schools of Az-Zaidiyyah, Al-Ithna-‘ashriyyah, Al-Ja’fariyyah, and Az-Zaheriyyah) agree that apostates must be executed.”
Qaradawi also once famously said: “If they had gotten rid of the apostasy punishment, Islam wouldn’t exist today.”
“Iran forces Christian converts from Islam to declare their faith to obtain ID cards,” Barnabas Fund, February 24, 2020 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
Christian converts from Islam no longer have the choice of keeping their faith secret in Iran after the Islamic Republic removed the “other religions” option from the new application form for the national ID card.
The National Census Bureau has narrowed the choices available to new applicants to only the four religions recognised under the Iranian constitution: Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastrianism.
This means that Muslim-born converts to Christianity, who may have preferred not to make public their faith in order to avoid hostility or persecution from their family, employers or the authorities, now have to reveal they are Christian, or lie about their faith and tick the box that says Muslim.
A Barnabas Fund contact said the ID cards, which are compulsory for every citizen aged 15 and above, are a necessary part of daily life in Iran and are required to access basic government services or to make bank transactions. The holder’s religion is not shown on the card, but information given on the application form is easily accessed by the state’s computer network….
jca reid says
It’s towards the back of the Koran, it clearly states: “….There shall be no compulsion in Religion.” So, apart from breaching Koranic Orders, this breaches Basic Human Rights. Don’t it? So what are the UN, International Community going to do? Long overdue, but the Muslim majority States must be deemed ‘Pariah States’, kicked out of the UN & their Embassies shut down, or pared right down to the bone!
CogitoErgoSum says
Most Korans do not have the surahs arranged in chronological order nor do most people understand that a later verse in the Koran can abrogate an earlier verse. Since Surah 9 of the Quran is the second to last surah that was “revealed” to Muhammad verse 9:29 commanding Muslims to fight until everyone submits to Islam takes precedence over earlier verses. Thus, there is no breaching of Koranic orders when Muslims harass, discriminate against or persecute others because of their religion.
Frank Anderson says
C.E.S. I apologize if I am telling you something you already know: According to my reading the standard order of chapters in the koran was decreed to be longest first centuries ago. I have no doubt that others have put the chapters back in chronological order. The one editor/commenter that I have read is Bill Warner, who first produced the Simple Koran, putting it in order, and then the Abridged Koran, which removes material that is less helpful to non-muslims trying to see the real story. Warner’s commentary is quite useful in understanding how “final revelations” got changed many times with NEW “final revelations” a fact skillfully hidden from us “ordinary” first time readers. I respectfully and courteously suggest that you might enjoy Warner’s work. I did.
gravenimage says
jca, Muslims have made it clear that they don’t consider threats of death to be compulsion, so this Sura is essentially meaningless.
Frank Anderson says
From an “interesting” source, considering the application, Jewish teaching rates as the First Mitzvah, the most important of 613 enumerated and ranked by Rabbi Maimonides, is that “All rules bend as necessary for the preservation of life.” Therefore conforming with another “interesting” source, lying like a dog (with no insult intended to dogs) is perfectly justified to preserve life and liberty. God Knows the Truth and is not concerned with what evil people “think”. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus wants us (His Children) to live. Brave suicidal stands are self-defeating and allow tyrants to remain in power.
mortimer says
Maimonides lived under discriminatory Islamic rule in a Sharia dictatorship in the 12th century. He points out that God’s ‘apprehension’ or intellectual essence is the source of our ability to think. In contrast, in Islam, thinking is underrated. Rote memorization of pre-set Sharia formulas is what is valued. Muslims are discouraged from independently thinking philosophical matters through for themselves … because if they do that they inevitably lose faith in Islam.
Rules such as the ‘religion identification’ discussed here are part of the unbending Sharia-mindset which supersedes rationalism-based human rights codes.
Bahai’ism is not mentioned in the Koran, so Allah was unaware of the future and did not include it, therefore, Allah is not all-knowing. Allah was somewhat aware of only the main religions in Persia and the Byzantine Empire where Mohammed lived. Allah did not know anything about the other 4,000 and more religions that have been identified. Allah is not all-knowing. But the Shi’ites think all human reasoning and science is trumped by the Koran.
The Shi’ites live on a flat earth where the sun sets in a muddy pool.
Frank Anderson says
honored and respected Mortimer, as usual you are correct on the history. I observe that the current problem of many Jews is that they assume the “tolerant” environment of more than 1,000 years ago continues to now. They not only fail to see the current and continuing daily efforts of killing and slavery, they get angry when questioned. I learned so much while involved with the Jewish community that it saddens me to be forced to move on. You no doubt see the irony that a Jewish teaching might be used by muslims who wish to live as Christians. “There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.” The people who wish to convert out are those we wish to encourage and help at every opportunity.
Have you ever heard the teaching, “ALL brides are beautiful on their wedding day?” There are times where “truth” demands a measure of flexibility. Peace and best wishes to you.
James Lincoln says
Excellent exchange Frank and mortimer.
gravenimage says
+1
Westman says
Imagine that! A ready-made scapegoat list for the Mullahs and their henchmen. It’s a sure sign of a worried tyrant who knows his life is far better than he deserves.
No Muzzies Here says
This is the kind of totalitarian theocracy that the Democrat party, led by Bernie Sanders, wants to set up in the United States.
European pagan says
Is it not possible for Iranian non-muslims to get Indian citizenship like Pakistani or Afghan non-muslims?
gravenimage says
That would be great. We in the West should welcome them, too.
European pagan says
Here in Germany I know 2 of them (one of them I saw yesterday and before yesterday ? )
SKA says
Technically Iranian citizenship can only be surrendered through the approval of the Iranian Council of Ministers (Cabinet). This is why naturalized American citizens who were born as nationals of Iran are only considered Iranian citizens while in Iran even if they are traveling under a US passport.
Walter Sieruk says
Iranian who had been converted from the darkness of Islam to the the person of Jesus Who is their savior and light ,John 14:4 , have now to face a new form of vicious harassment for that “mullah tyranny” of Iran.
This new type of persecution is an based law about ID cards , As wrong and despicable is this new practice is it still should be remembers that this Islamic “republic” is not a real republic , in the Western sense of the word but in a tyrannical Islamic dictatorship the word “”republic’ has demoniacal and insidiously wicked meaning
Therefore as with any totalitarian system the sad and tragic reality is that “Might makes right” so This deplorable Islamic ID policy is upheld by the force of the character who are in power in Iran.
So it would be naive not to understand the those mullahs and ayatollahs didn’t have a hand in this new ID law policy
Thus this is further proof that Islam is such a weak and fragile religion that the arrest of those few Christians was felt necessary by the ayatollah, mullah and imams of Iran. For those Muslim clerics are afraid that if the Iranian people even have a chance to examine and thus compare and contrast the Bible and the Quran the people of Iran might discover that the Bible of the super of those two books.
Since the foundation for the tyrannical regime of the Islamic “Republic” of Iran is based on the Quran, which is also the entire foundation for of Islam, the Muslim clerics fear that their power base might collapse. So the arrests and sentencing to death of Christians reveals extreme fear those Muslim clerics have of the Bible, For this also show that those Muslim clerics in power in that “mullahs regime” of Iran will use .the Islamic state police and their tools to stop Christians and keep the Iranian people in in ignorance of the Bible and in the darkness of Islam.
In addition those mullahs and ayatollahs and imams of Iran with their falsehoods and deceptions of the many false doctrines of Islam in which they brainwash the Iranian people in believing is something that is both sad and tragic. Those ayatollahs and mullahs are, no doubt, just as deluded as the people who they thoroughly indoctrinate with false teachings of Islam. Of such demonic deception by false teachers who are also deluded such men a have been predicted in the Bible. For in the Bible it’s written that “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.” Second Timothy 3:13. [K.J.V.] All those mullahs and ayatollahs are, according to the doctrines of the Bible, Isaiah 8:20. false religious teachers .Meaning false teachers who teach and indoctrinate the false doctrines of the false religion of Islam into the hearts and minds of others . Such false teachers are described in the Bible ,in Second Peter 2:1. “There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
It should be make clear that in the context and meaning of the above Bible verse Second Peter 2:1. The word “destruction” does not mean “loss of being but loss of well-being ,as the destruction of well- being . That is “going to ruin” by ending up and a terrible place of awful suffering which the Bible call hell, Luke 16:19-31.
gravenimage says
Islamic Republic of Iran forces Christian converts from Islam to declare their faith to obtain ID cards
……………………
This will paint a big target on Christian converts.
Frank Anderson says
GI, imagine the confusion and mischief in the right and perfect places that would be possible if Christians could use taqiyya against muslim inquisitors? “Good for the goose; Good for the gander!” There is NO sense in allowing “me” to be destroyed because someone else is a tyrant. From painful and expensive experience. God KNOWS what we believe; and does not depend on “intercessors” to find out.
gravenimage says
Oh, I’m sure a lot of Christians keep their conversions secret, Frank. But this law is clearly intended to flush them out.
And I agree with you–as important as honesty is to me, I do not think that if Muslims or anyone else are going to murder you that you should be held to being truthful with them. In the same way, I would have no compunction over lying to the Nazis over my hiding Jews in the attic had I been alive during the Holocaust.
I also don’t think that this use not revealing the truth is intended to harm–just the opposite, in fact.
Taqiyya, in contrast, is so often intended to lull Infidels into a false sense of security so they can be conquered.
Frank Anderson says
GI, I have no doubt that we agree. I enjoy the thought of using taqiyya against its originators (lying whenever advantage can be obtained). Dead Christians change nothing. Live Christians and Jews can make a better world. Good people have a DUTY to survive. I can think of no clearer example of the importance of “Love your neighbor AS yourself.” Big Brother does not deserve to win!
James Lincoln says
Excellent exchange between Frank and gravenimage.
Totally agree.
gravenimage says
Agreed, Frank and James.
Lydia Church says
The inconvenient truth is that when faced with the ultimatum:
deny Christ or die, we must be willing to lay our lives down and refuse to deny Christ.
That is not ‘my’ command. It is Christ’s command. Matthew 10; 32-33.
At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a secret Christian.
We are to be His witnesses to the whole world. That is part of the contract.
That doesn’t mean we must climb up on the roof and grab a loudspeaker and announce our faith when no one is asking us what it is, and put ourselves in peril that way. But if we are asked, we must confess that we are Christians. To do otherwise is to deny your faith and Jesus said that is a big no-no. If anyone doesn’t like it, go complain to the Lord, He’s the one who made the rule. Our public confession of Him, our witness of Him, our testimony and declaration that we belong to Him and profession publicly are not optional, and we must love Him more than our own lives or anything else. Do not let threats intimidate you either. God is in control. Just follow His instructions and leave the rest to God. He doesn’t need you to compromise in order to come to His rescue. Even if they threaten to harm another, it is them, not you doing it, and we must love Him more than anyone. Sorry, it’s not a cake walk. It’s discipleship and picking up your cross daily. Matthew 10; 34 onward explains all of that. Most would not deny that they love their own spouse in a similar situation, but they won’t do as much for the God who they believe saved them. The days ahead will be a true test. You need to be ready.
Frank Anderson says
L.C. suicide is not Christian or Jewish. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus is the God of Life and Liberty. There is plenty of time for us to be dead. I have tried stone cold dead for about 2 hours during surgery. Life is better. Please think about it.
James Lincoln says
Frank Anderson,
I am SO glad that you were lifeless only temporarily – your recovery was no doubt due to state-of-the-art medical care.
And even that level of care only rarely results in success during what is known as a full “code blue”.
I have personally run them in a large community hospitals – with mixed results depending upon the circumstances. And I would often pray for help.
Very best wishes, and may God bless…
Frank Anderson says
James, there was definitely state of the art medical care. But the surgeon will no doubt agree on another Presence. I was fully prepared to not wake up. God has plans that I think would scare me to death if I knew them. It has been a most enlightening and informative experience. Each year I call my surgeon’s office and leave a message thanking them for another of the 30 years he said he was adding to my life. I say thanks to God every day for another day to do what I can.
Frank Anderson says
L.C., additional thought-Consider the implications of the direction to “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s.” That identity card, like the coin, is Caesar’s. Our lives belong to God. Protecting and employing our lives for good (God’s service) is performing the duty of stewardship of a property (life) that is given to us in trust for responsible handling, not to be thrown away because someone else is evil. Evil wins when we die. Among the 3 Jewish wars with Romans, over a million Jews were crucified or otherwise killed. Jews, God and History, Rabbi Max Dimont. Depending who is counting islam has killed between 250 and 1000 MILLION people in 1400 years. Another sacrifice will make no difference.
I suggest that sacrificing a person’s life on the ground of a single passage in a book that has been composed and edited for centuries should be questionable. Presently in my state there are many traffic laws, most of which the police choose not to enforce because they have “discretion”. One says the speed limit is that which is “reasonable and proper”; One says the maximum speed is that posted; One says that traffic must not be blocked by driving too slow unless necessary for safe operation and one says that the following vehicle must maintain a safe and proper distance from the leading vehicle, but no less than 20 feet for every 10 miles per hour. So because none of those rules are enforced, about 70 percent of all wrecks (not accidents) are rear-enders. Highways that have posted limits which are not enforced are death traps because people drive too fast and tailgate.
When serving as a steward for property that is managed in trust, careful thought and judgment are necessary. “Let there be life!”
James Lincoln says
Frank Anderson,
Off-topic Jihad Watch readers, just following up with Frank.
I’ve had a drivers license for 50 years. I have never been involved in a motor vehicle accident and have received only five or six very minor speeding violations / parking tickets. Attention to detail, etc., sure, but I’m certain that some luck was involved.
I grew up in a small town where fellow drivers were very courteous and, for the most part, followed the rules of the road.
Times have drastically changed. Courtesy among fellow drivers is largely gone, speeding / tailgating / failure to yield are all unnecessary and very unnerving. Needless to mention, very dangerous. Not to mention all the drunk drivers, etc., on the road crossing the center line, etc.
Nearly all traffic accidents / fatalities are preventable. In rare instances, mechanical failure is a factor.
If anyone wants to drive really fast, there are ways to do that on racetracks. My “bucket list” actually includes training by a professional NASCAR driver on a real racetrack.
NASCAR drivers are among the safest drivers on public roadways. Have known a few of them and they state that they actually feel safer on the racetrack.
Frank Anderson says
James, my official adopted father knew he had a short time to get me started. By the time I was 5 he would take me to the local BIG football stadium and let me drive the car in the large empty parking lot. When we were on trips he would let me steer while he operated the controls. My first license was for motorcycles in 1964, and cars in 1966. In all that time, including 10 years in colleges, I have paid TWO parking tickets for expired meters.
I recall an applicant to the Alabama State Bar who was denied a law license because of too many parking tickets. I learned many lessons early and have been blessed with guardian angels to help me avoid trouble. With my partially repaired neck, anytime someone gets on my bumper, I slow down in hope that if there is a crash, I will survive. I agree with the NASCAR drivers. About a quarter of the people who ride my bumper have no tag-therefore no insurance.
gravenimage says
+1
OLD GUY says
Nothing like a Socialist/Dictatorship that sets its rules to track and control its none supporters. Islam is a Socialist/Dictatorship that controls the daily lives and thoughts of its followers and considers everyone who doesn’t march in line with it an enemy that they must force to follow or destroy. If you thought Hitlers rule was hard to live under, just wait till you have to live under Islamic, sharia rule.
CogitoErgoSum says
Thanks, Frank. In the past I’ve come across a few of Bill Warner’s videos and I thought he did a very good job of explaining things in them. I’ll try checking out more of his work.
Frank Anderson says
C.E.S. I am sure there are many excellent authors and sources, our host Robert Spencer among them. I have purchased and read Warner’s Political Traditions, Mohammed and the Unbelievers and Abridged Koran on Kindle, using the free Kindle for PC reader. I am thoroughly satisfied with his work and my purchases. There is no substitute to knowing for yourself instead of “feeling” or depending on others for your information. Warner’s writing is clear, easy to follow and well referenced to assure he is not making up false narratives.