And Christian leaders have been arrested. “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256), sure, as long as that religion is Islam.
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 hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). 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.”
“Christian Leaders Arrested in Mauritania in Large-Scale Crackdown,” International Christian Concern, December 13, 2023:
12/13/2023 Mauritania (International Christian Concern) — A prominent Christian leader, along with 14 other Christian leaders and their families, was arrested in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania earlier this month. These leaders represent a significant portion of the nation’s small Christian community, estimated to be around 1,000 individuals.
Mauritania’s current penal code, specifically Article 306, imposes the death penalty for apostasy, with the provision for a lesser penalty if the accused repents. The arrests were reportedly triggered by posting a video showcasing a baptism ceremony in Mauritania. The video, believed to be leaked by an insider seeking monetary gain, quickly went viral.
The aftermath of the video’s dissemination led to disturbing incitements, with some calling for violence against Christians. Reports include statements like, “We have to kill those who preach Christianity, and these Christians have no place in Mauritania.”
Tragically, this hostility has extended beyond the arrested individuals, affecting their families who are now facing harassment from their neighbors. The Mauritanian government finds itself in a delicate position, torn between its commitments to human rights reforms and greater religious freedom, asserting that the arrests were made to protect citizens and other radical Islamist elements. The government stands firm in its decision that the arrests are necessary for addressing the “Christian problem” in Mauritania….
gravenimage says
Mauritania: Muslims respond to baptism video, ‘We have to kill those who preach Christianity’
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Grimly, this is orthodox Islam.
abu taleb says
It is Islam, there is no orthodox or non orthodox Islam, just Islam.
Westman says
Depends on whether you’re considering doctrine or the actual actions of Muslims. In some Muslim nations, apostates are not killed, an obvious example of non-orthodox compliance. Graven is quite correct in pointing out actions as orthodox or non-orthodox in terms of compliance to Islamic doctrine.
Rufolino says
Whatever the “actions” of Muslims might be, the doctrine remains the same and cannot be changed because it is out of the mouth of Mo.
Sharon ODonnell says
The God of Israel Is Real.
Believe in His SON +
Sheikh Anvakh says
You can be absolutely certain that this will be raised and condemned at every level in the despot-ridden UN……… Oooops sorry, top busy slagging off Israel for defending herself against the religion of death, persecution and hate, and with the characters sitting on the joke of the UNHRC, Christians are of no concern.
Westman says
If an alien decended to earth and was given the choice of Islam or Christianity, after reading the doctrines and history of both, it would choose Christianity because it is a lifetime choice and it encourages, not demands, loving relationships between humans. It would see Christianity developing the individual in preparation for an afterlife. Joy now, and joy in the afterlife.
An alien would not choose Islam because it offers no choice and divides the world into enemies, the believers, the unbelievers, and Jews. The child of a Muslim will become a Muslim before having the maturity to choose and become a slave of Allah for life, likely referring to himself as such. In the child’s case there IS compulsion in Islam. If he attempts to leave there will be a world of compulsion, and in some cases, an “honor” killing. In addition, the Quran makes demands and describes punishments in a kind of demerit system that left even Muhammad uncertain if he will be approved in the Judgement.
Unlike Christianity, Islam grooms the individual as a warrior for the group, with its attendent risks, compensating with a promise of superlative rewards. Misery now, carnal joy in the afterlife.
Craig Austin says
Aren’t a significant number of these people slaves? I believe they still have slave auctions.
gravenimage says
So true–an estimated 17% of Mauritanians are enslaved. Note that this pious Muslim has no problem with *that*.