Chapter on the Rulings Concerning Apostasy
In the Arabic language, an apostate (murtadd) is “one who turns back.” It is said, "irtadda—he became a murtadd," meaning he returned. The Almighty says, “Do not turn back on your heels,” that is, do not retreat.
In juristic terminology, an apostate is a person who, after embracing Islam, voluntarily falls into unbelief—whether by utterance, conviction, doubt, or action.
The apostate is subject to a ruling in this life and another in the Hereafter.
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Worldly ruling: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever changes his religion, execute him,” and the scholars unanimously concur on this. Consequent to that are the dissolution of his marriage and the prohibition of his disposing of his wealth before the sentence is carried out.
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Ruling in the Hereafter: Allah the Exalted says, “Whoever among you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever—such people have forfeited their deeds in this world and the Hereafter; they are the people of the Fire, and there they shall abide forever.”
Apostasy is realized by committing any act that nullifies Islam, whether it is