because the conditional expression “whoever” applies to rational beings, male and female alike. Yet he explicitly mentioned women because some scholars held that an apostate woman is not executed. Rather, she is called to Islam and placed under pressure until she embraces Islam; otherwise, she is imprisoned—on account of the Prophet’s ﷺ general prohibition against killing women (1). The correct view, however, is that she is executed, based on the general import of his ﷺ statement: “Whoever changes his religion, kill him” (2). He prohibited killing women only in the context of jihad, because when the disbelievers are overcome, their women become captives of the Muslims, and captives may not be killed, since that would destroy them.

His statement, “He is called to it”: the one who calls him is the imam or his deputy. If there is neither an imam nor his deputy, then it is the people’s commander, leader, or elder—as, for example, when they are in a non-Muslim land where there is no imam or deputy of the imam. If this group of Muslims has an appointed commander, a leader, or the like, then the ruling devolves upon him.

His statement, “three days”: that is, including their nights. He is told, “Embrace Islam,” and is given until three full days have elapsed.

“And he is placed under pressure; if he does not embrace Islam, he is executed by the sword, …”

His statement, “And he is placed under pressure”: he is called to Islam for three days and placed under pressure: he is imprisoned and given neither food nor drink except out of necessity. If we give him a loaf of bread in the morning, we do not give him another until two or three days later. If we give him water in the morning during the summer days, we do not give him water again until he becomes extremely thirsty,