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>From The Times
March 21, 2006
'Whoever changes religion kill him'
By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent
THE Koran is contradictory on the fate of those who deny the truth of
Islam.
Fourteen passages refer to apostasy and, of these, seven refer to
punishment, generally to be given in the next life.
Sura 40 says that those who reject the scriptures will have iron
collars and chains placed around their necks, be dragged into scalding
water and burnt in the fire. Elsewhere the Koran seems to indicate a
degree of tolerance. Verse 2.256 states: "There is no compulsion in
religion." Two further suras, 10 and 18, include passages indicating
that people who do not wish to believe should not be forced to.
But the Hadith, or sayings of the Prophet, condemns unequivocally
those who renounce their religion. One passage advises the death
penalty for murder, adultery and apostasy. Another cites Muhammad as
saying: "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."
According to Mufti Abdul Barkatullah, senior imam at North Finchley
Mosque, North London, Islam simply took over biblical tradition and
practice in this regard. Jesus promised in John xiv,6: "No one comes
to the Father except by me." Several other passages in the New
Testament condemn non-Christians to eternal punishment. Mufti
Barkatullah cited the Inquisition as an example of Christian intolerance.
Muslim scholars are divided over how the texts on apostasy should be
interpreted. Mufti Barkatullah said that some countries would follow
the Shafi'i school of thought and eschew the death penalty for
apostasy. But many, such as Afghanistan, adhere to the Hanafi
tradition, and take a strict line on apostasy.
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