Why converting from Islam can be dangerous

Joanna writes: The Pope's decision to baptise a Muslim convert to Catholicism on Easter Day risked a renewed rift with the Islamic world. Here are a few reasons why the conversion is so controversial.

Classical Islamic law prevents Muslims from changing religion (apostatising) and imposes punishments including the death penalty on those who do.

To be classed as an apostate in Classical Islamic law a person must be an adult in sound mind and have acted of his own accord in deciding to leave Islam.

Apostasy (ridda- in Arabic) literally means "turning back" but is widely defined as the conversion of a Muslim to another or no religion; the desertion of Islam; the refusal by one who was a Muslim to say the basic Islamic creed; sedition against the state or the taking up of arms or making of war against the Muslim community (umma).

The variety of definitions is matched by the number of opinions on the appropriate punishment for an apostate set down in the Koran and Sunnah (acts of the Prophet).

The Koran mentions apostacy 13 times but lays down no punishment for the apostate in this life -  the matter remains one between the apostate and Allah.

Muhammad is reported to have said "The blood of a fellow Muslim should never be shed except in three cases: That of the adulterer, the murderer, and whoever forsakes the religion of Islam."  To this is often thought that Muhammad also said "and separates  himself from the community" meaning only those who take arms against the state should be punished by death.

Treatment of Apostates in Islamic states today

There is a wide range of approaches to apostasy in the Islamic world today. Saudi Arabia and Sudan condemn the convert to death while more liberal states such a Tunisia guarantee freedom of conscience. In Morocco voluntary conversion from Islam is not a crime but to encourage a Muslim to convert is illegal.

In Malaysia it is difficult to convert from Islam but recently there has been no punishment as long as they do not insult Islam. In Egypt there is not penal law against apostasy but procedural law is used as a mean of punishing by 'civil death' those who have convicted themselves of apostasy through their writings or other work. Marriages and all contracts made by the apostate are cancelled as a result of their decision to turn away from Islam.

Comments

[Alexander Baldal]

Religion is theocratic politics. What miserable laws did clever religion makers invent. How many conscious entities stay Muslim out of fear to be left out! Peer pressure leans to outright terror. I apostatized from 4 religions and I am a free man with holy theocratic knowledge, ready to die, enjoying alive.

[Rick Beekman]

Libby;

As A Christian; I am glad Jesus does not force anyone to serve him.

Each individual has a choice. This is why on the other hand you hardly ever read or hear of Muslims speaking out against their own.

Osama Bin Laden and his Ilk rule with Fear. He knows no true Muslim will go against him. Thank God I Serve The Lord where the Boble teaches; "Vengeance is mine I shall repay Saith The Lord."

[Alan Hume]

The Hadiths are full of calls for death for 'aposates'
If gods final prophet on earth ordered it then it must be gods will.
Sounds like extreme facism if you ask me.