Ali ibn Abi Talib
|
Ali was Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. He is the subject of lots of praises and devotional songs, especially by Shias and Sufis.
Narrated 'Ikrimah: That Ali burnt some people who apostasized from Islam. This news reached Ibn 'Abbas, so he (Ibn 'Abbas) said: "If it were me I would have killed them according to the statement of Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever changes his religion then kill him.' And I would not have burned them because the Messenger of Allah said: 'Do not punish with the punishment of Allah.' So this reached 'Ali, and he said: "Ibn 'Abbas has told the truth." (Sahih)
It was narrated from Anas that: 'Ali came to some people of Az-Zutt, who worshipped idols, and burned them. Ibn 'Abbas said: "But the Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever changes his religion, kill him.'" (Sahih)