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Islam and Apostasy: Difference between revisions
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The ruling of execution given by Muhammad according to numerous hadith falls into sharp relief upon [[Muhammad's Death|Muhammad's death]] and under the caliphate of [[Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman|Abu Bakr]], when thousands of converts to Islam "apostatized" and were summarily killed in what became known as the ''Riddah'' (lit. "apostasy") Wars (632–633 CE). These "apostates" had, in fact, only refused to pay the [[Zakat]] tithe and not openly renounced Islam. Refusing to accept even a single part of Islamic doctrine, however, is considered apostasy, and Abu Bakr dealt with them as such, reportedly prompted by a {{Quran|9|5}}, which commands Muslims to embattle Islam's enemies until they surrender the tithe and commit to offering prayers. Abu Bakr did not bring the bloody Riddah Wars to an end until all the apostates were either killed or had reverted to Islam. Several other narrations report Muhammad's [[Sahabah|companions (''sahabah'')]] implementing his command and executing atheists,<ref name="apostasy2" /> Christians,<ref name="Maududi2">Abul Ala Maududi - [http://www.answering-islam.org/Hahn/Mawdudi/index.htm The Punishment of the Apostate According to Islamic Law] - Islamic Publications Ltd., Lahore, 1963</ref> and Jews<ref>M. Muhsin Khan (Translator) - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/084-sbt.php#009.084.058|2=2011-10-30}} Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84 - Dealing with Apostates, Number 58] - USC-MSA, [[Compendium of Muslim Texts]]</ref> for leaving Islam. | The ruling of execution given by Muhammad according to numerous hadith falls into sharp relief upon [[Muhammad's Death|Muhammad's death]] and under the caliphate of [[Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman|Abu Bakr]], when thousands of converts to Islam "apostatized" and were summarily killed in what became known as the ''Riddah'' (lit. "apostasy") Wars (632–633 CE). These "apostates" had, in fact, only refused to pay the [[Zakat]] tithe and not openly renounced Islam. Refusing to accept even a single part of Islamic doctrine, however, is considered apostasy, and Abu Bakr dealt with them as such, reportedly prompted by a {{Quran|9|5}}, which commands Muslims to embattle Islam's enemies until they surrender the tithe and commit to offering prayers. Abu Bakr did not bring the bloody Riddah Wars to an end until all the apostates were either killed or had reverted to Islam. Several other narrations report Muhammad's [[Sahabah|companions (''sahabah'')]] implementing his command and executing atheists,<ref name="apostasy2" /> Christians,<ref name="Maududi2">Abul Ala Maududi - [http://www.answering-islam.org/Hahn/Mawdudi/index.htm The Punishment of the Apostate According to Islamic Law] - Islamic Publications Ltd., Lahore, 1963</ref> and Jews<ref>M. Muhsin Khan (Translator) - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/084-sbt.php#009.084.058|2=2011-10-30}} Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84 - Dealing with Apostates, Number 58] - USC-MSA, [[Compendium of Muslim Texts]]</ref> for leaving Islam. | ||
By the time of the Abbasid Empire, the execution of apostates and for aiding and abetting apostasy had become routine. Amira K. Bennison, a Cambridge historian, records the following: | |||
{{Quote|{{citation|author=Amira K. Bennison|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2014|isbn=0300154895|title=The Great Caliphs: The Golden Age of the 'Abbasid Empire|page=127|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Great_Caliphs.html?id=NBNkzhvf7z4C&source=kp_book_description}}|In 859 Leocritia, a girl of Muslim parentage with a Christian aunt, decided to become Christian and run away from herparents. Eulogius and his sister harboured the runaway in direct opposition to her parents’ wishes and encouraged her to stand firm. Both were arrested and subsequently executed, Eulogius for proselytizing and assisting in the abduction of a Muslim girl and Leocritia for refusing to return to the faith of her parents.}} | |||
==In Islamic law and scripture== | ==In Islamic law and scripture== | ||
Islamic jurisprudence is derived from the reported words of Muhammad, especially as interpreted and implemented by the ''Rashidun'' ("rightly guided") Caliphs and his other companions. | Islamic jurisprudence is derived from the reported words of Muhammad, especially as interpreted and implemented by the ''Rashidun'' ("rightly guided") Caliphs and his other companions. | ||